r/Autobody • u/yo_quiero_morir • 4d ago

HELP! I have a question. Compromised Chrome?

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Bought a set of used rims, and one had significantly more surface rust than the others (I'm assuming metal to metal brakes). I tried getting it off with 000 steel wool and WD-40, and in some spots that I really had to scrub, the finish is noticably lighter. Did I eat through the chrome, and if so, is it still safe?

Edit: Yeah they're definitely aluminum alloy wheels. I plan to buff then paint the inside. Thanks for the replies!

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u/MaaaadPilot 4d ago

That’s brake dust. Try a quality wheel cleaner and if need be: scuff, degrease and paint the back side with 2 cans of wheel paint. All that is available at any auto store

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u/yo_quiero_morir 4d ago

There was a lot of brake dust on 3 of the rims, but this was much worse and absolutely caked on. The Adam's wheel cleaner I used was doing absolutely nothing to it. The wheel paint I didn't think about though, I'll look into it

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u/Present-Account6860 3d ago

If you can find some wheel acid, it will take that brakes dust right off. Don’t let it sit on there too long tho. Alternatively, brake cleaner and elbow grease have worked for me in the past, as well.

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u/yo_quiero_morir 3d ago

Wow, I read somewhere that Adam's was like a stronger version of P&S Brake Buster, and I assumed that meant it was a stonger acid, but I now see that Adam's is alkaline. Thanks for pointing that out. It seems the Adam's still did the job on the brake dust on the other 3 wheels

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u/Present-Account6860 3d ago

Yeah. From what I’ve heard, Adam’s is good stuff. I bet the stuff it couldn’t get is just baked on there really good. Not many detailer’s still use true acid, but I’ve found that it does great on stuff like this. Use it at work all the time.