UKs Motoring

Top 3 solutions to rusty tyres

OK, tyres don’t really go rusty, but we got you thinking didn’t we? It is wheels that get rusty, tyres just go flat. Sometimes tyres just go flat because of rusty wheels, or certainly because of corroded alloy ones.

If you find that one or more of the tyres on your allow wheels is continually deflating, then a very likely cause is that it is failing to correctly seal against the rim. If often happens that when we have a new tyre all is OK, but after just a few months we find that the tyre starts to lose pressure.

Some people find that a tyre sealant helps, but that is only a short term solution. The only way to fix the problems properly so that it won’t recur in the short term is to have the tyre removed and the rim cleaned. If it is badly pitted by corrosion then a wire brush can be used to remove the worst of it. Also ensure that the tyre rim is clean and use bead sealer on the wheel before inflating the tyre.

If you have steel wheels and you are suffering rust problems, then there is a fairly simple solution. Take off the wheel covers, carefully go over your wheels with a wire brush (if they are very rusty, then use a wire brush attached to an electric drill), carefully wash all the dust away and ensure that they are thoroughly dries, and spray then with black tyre paint. You will generally need several thing coats. Finally replace your wheel covers and admire your handiwork.

If the rust is not too bad, then you might be able to get away with a proprietary rust remover. These contain phosphoric acid (indecently, so does Coca Cola). Rust is really iron oxide, and the phosphoric acid reacts with this to form ferric phosphate. As the ferric phosphate is black and the rust is brown, you can see the reaction taking place. You can either leave the ferric phosphate in place where is will help protect against further rusting or it can be scrubbed off the reveal the underlying steel. Whichever you do, you will need to repaint your wheel with a spray paint.