I let my brakes wear down to the point of no return, and somehow that transferred a bunch of rust onto my chrome rim. Is there any way to safely remove the rust without damaging the rim?

 

It should just be on the surface. That's rust from the pads themselves.

Chrome or mag polish, like Mother's Mag Polish, and some super-fine steel wool, or even a microfiber cloth should get things looking good as new.

Edit: Do you have chrome rims, or the clear-coated TE rims?

 

Oh really? I washed them today and it didn't come off scrubbing with a firm brush dipped in soapy water. It seemed to really be baked on there. It'll come off that easy with chrome polish and steel wool?

Good question on the rims... I'm pretty certain it's TE from the factory, so I guess whatever it rolls off the line with.

 

I'm pretty sure the TE rims are clear coated.

Try some Meguiar's Ultimate Compound. If that doesn't clear it up, the Mag Polish should break down the rust spots (it oxidizes stuck-on rust).

 

The TE wheels should be polished aluminum clear coated... So it's definitely just stains.

 

Thanks man. Will do.

 

Also wash and wax your wheels the same way you would your car. Next time there is brake dust on them when they are waxed, it will wipe/rinse off like nothing.

 

this

 

Yeah you know, recently I haven't been taking very good care of my car. I've had to haul a bunch of bullcrap that I shouldn't have, which compromised my interior. I have body damage as well that I haven't gotten fixed yet, so I haven't been able to run it through a car wash. I'm just now in the process of getting it back to where it needs to be. I washed off my wheels today for the first time in MANY MONTHS! Lol. thankfully, the dirt came right off and 3 rims look shiny as ever. It's just the rusted one I have to deal with.

 

They're painted.

 

I wouldn't recommend using any type of chrome cleaner as the rims are not chrome or chrome finished and you may wind up damaging the coating. I agree with ONLY using an aluminum cleaning/polish for cleaning the TE rims

 

Yeah, the warnings on the Meguiars Chrome Polish stuff are pretty clear that anything with "chrome" in the name can only be used on real chrome, not plastics, other alloys, or painted surfaces. It's so good at cleaning chrome, I'd hate to see what it does to clear-coated wheels.

My before:


And after:


That hardcore curb rash is from the previous owner. Luckily, these heavy 18" optional wheels are cheaper to buy, now, than the SE's standard 18" mutilation of those wonderful 17", 6-spoke wheels on the 5.5gens.

 

Also try using a claybar on your wheels. You'll be amazed what kind of crap a claybar can remove.