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How do I remove rust from my car tire rims?

My tire rims are super rusty, and I'd like to clean them up before I sell my car. Can I do that at home?

avatar
Liz Jenson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You should be able to remove
rust
from your tires at home, though the process will differ depending on how severe the issue is.
Here’s how:
  • Scrub your tire rims with a nylon scrubber. This process alone may be enough to remove the corroded white spots.
  • Use a steel wool scrubber on any other rusted areas until they become smooth. Be sure to scrub around the lug nuts and holes, but be careful not to scratch the rims with the steel wool.
  • Rinse your wheels to get rid of the bits of rust you’ve removed.
  • If you’d like, you can then clean your wheels with soap and water and/or a wheel cleaner before letting them dry completely.
  • Apply a wheel polish or wax to make your tire rims shiny and to help prevent more rusting in the future.
If you’re selling your old car, you’ll need to make some changes to your auto insurance policy. Check out the
Jerry
app. Jerry will help you find a new policy that covers the things you need for the lowest price, so you can be sure you’re not wasting money that could be spent fixing up your car.
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