When it comes to truck maintenance, wheel refinishing has become a big part of the game. As the weather continues to necessitate the use of highly aggressive deicing salts, especially calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, operators will have to continue watching their wheels. These de-icing agents are very ferrous and hard on metals.
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While body panels do suffer from problems with corrosion, the effect is most visible on your wheels. Considering they are closest to the salty spray, rust shows up a lot quicker on your wheels. And when in an inspector sees rust on your wheels, they may automatically wonder what other problems lie beneath.
Factory Treatments and Corrosion Resistance
Fortunately, you can spec off corrosion when you are purchasing new wheels. In many cases aluminum wheels can be an answer. While aluminum is not immune to corrosion, it resists it for a far longer amount of time. It is also lighter and stands up better to de-icing substances than steel is.
When factory treatments are included, not only do your wheels shine brighter but they are more resistant to corrosion. What makes steel more attractive is its lower price point. But there are treatments for steel wheels that help them to resist salt-induced corrosion.
One company offers a proprietary bare-metal treatment that includes a zinc phosphate made up of a zinc and epoxy e-coat with a powder coat finish. These finishes can be guaranteed against corrosion for up to five years in most cases.
Another variation starts with a phosphate coat with a white electro-deposition baked into the primer coat. Customers can then choose their preferred color for the top powder coat. According to the company, the finish lasts 2,000 hours in a simulated salt-spray finish.
Aluminum Wheels and Concentrates
Currently, there are millions of aluminum wheels in use around the country, and though they are always susceptible to corrosion damage, with the proper care that damage can be mitigated. There are surefire ways you can prevent your wheel from turning into a center for corrosion studies.
One process for caring for aluminum wheels includes using certain concentrates on a wheel’s inner hub bore and mating surfaces. The concentrate can help pick up rust from the steel hub and iron brake drum, then a technician can use a soft abrasive attachment on a grinder to whisk away the foreign matter. The rest of the wheel can then be polished as needed.
Caring for steel wheels does require extra work because the iron-oxide rust adheres to a steel surface much better. According to the Technology & Maintenance Council of the ATA, Recommended Practice 240A, emphasizes that special attention be paid to any damage that could put a wheel out of service.
Outside of salt damage, overly aggressive media blasting can cause issues. If you cannot see the DOT stamp or any identifying marks from the manufacture, the rim or wheel must be removed or scrapped.
Prior to removing any paint and coatings for a new finish, existing dirt, grease and/or debris must be removed. While blasting with a combination of metal shot and grit is often a good idea, be careful not to wind up doing damage as you attempt to clean off foreign matter.
Also, never handle bare-steel wheels with your bare hands, otherwise you run the risk of your body oils contaminating the surface and marring the coating.
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Here is one such process where a wheel can be refinished:
- Blast the wheel with steel abrasives in a blast cabinet. Takes about four minutes.
- Apply an electrostatic coating with a hand-held spray gun in a special booth.
- Cure the wheel in an oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of 380 – 420 degrees, which should liquefy and cure the powder onto the surface of the wheel.
- Cool for another 15 to 20 minutes, then inspect.
The best way to ensure proper maintenance is to devote one of your fleet technician’s to the task. A good time to consider a wheel refinish is during tire-change time. By handling both activities at once, you are minimizing downtime. In the end, there’s a lot riding on your wheels, so make sure you take proper care of them.