Having rust on your dirt bike rims is not a great look and when I’m doing a dirt bike project this is something I run into alot.
To remove the rust from your rims use a piece of scrunched up aluminum foil, dip in water and rub vigorously over the rusty area. If they are really bad then use a lemon, vinegar and water solution to spray on the rim, leave for 5 mins and rub again with the foil.
How Does Aluminum Foil Remove Rust
When you are rubbing the chrome bike rim with the aluminum you are creating aluminum oxide which will attack and remove the rust. Adding water to the mix creates a solution which helps the process by not only removing the rust but polishing the chrome around it.
The Effects Of Rust On Your Rims
The rims are plated with a nickle chrome and it is when the chrome plating is damaged that water gets through and rust the surface underneath.
Because of this you will never be able to rid the rust from your rims because it will reappear over time. The aluminum foil does not recoat the rusted area, it just removes the rust from it. It will also polish the chrome that is still present around the effected area, or you can go ahead and polish your entire rim like this.
To truly combat the rust you would need to get the whole rim stripped of the chrome and rust and then replated as one complete process. This will give you a brandnew surface without any defects so water will not be able to penetrate.
Can I Use Wire Wool On My Rims
You hear quite often of people recommending to use a super fine wire wool, like the ‘0000’ grade, to clean rust from your dirt bike rims. This in my opinion is not a good idea.
You will probably get rid of the rust but at the same time you are going to scratch at the chrome which was unaffected before you started the process and this will cause the problem to worsen the next time round.
Can You Powder Coat Dirt Bike Rims
You can powder coat your rims and this is a great solution for turning rusty rims into brandnew looking rims. Ensure all spokes are removed and the surface is professionally prepared.
The cost of powder coating your rims varies from town to town but you can expect to pay in the region of $100 – $120 per rim. Thats around £100 to us British folk.
If you can afford this expense then I would say go for it. It opens you up to being able to chose a wide range of colours and you’ll get a long lasting finish that should easily scratch or chip.
Does WD40 Remove Rust
WD40 is a great for assisting in the process of removing rust but wont do the job on its own. You will need to use an abbrasive after allowing the WD40 to soak for 10 mins to shift it.
The process of using WD40 is that it will penetrate the rust and the lubrication it provides dislodges the rust.
Combining the WD40 with the Aluminum Foil method is something else you can try if the rust on your rims won’t shoft.
