Cleaning rusted axel nut on rims?

[4details2win]

Here is a pic of my friends exposed hub nut/axel nut. He just bought these new rims so the nut is now exposed. I'm wondering just how in the world am I to go about cleaning the rust off them and then protecting them from further rust.

 

[BigJimZ28]

take it off and spray paint it

or find some center caps

 

[imported_truzoom]

Is there some sort of cap you can get for it? I know mine has caps on those from the factory...

 

[David Fermani]

Try wheel acid and use it straight. It will disolve the rust instantly.

 

[TrueDetailer]

Try wheel acid and use it straight. It will disolve the rust instantly.

Yep, Phospuric(sp?) acid will eat away at most of the rust. Then get your self some rustolium spray paint in a similar color and there ya go.



Or use a wire wheel on a drill and sandpaper to remove it.



The Rustolium paint is made for use over rust.



Have fun :2thumbs:

 

[Brieldo]

I had some tools that got exposed to moisture...a remedy that's not very common is coca-cola and steel wool. Works pretty slick. Also, Rust-Oleum, I believe, makes a product that reacts with rust to form an extremely durable coating, neutralizing the rust and sealing the part permanantly.



Here's a link: http://www.rustoleum.com/Product.asp?frm_product_id=30&SBL=1&dds=17



I've used it in non-auto applications and it worked pretty well.

 

[Accumulator]

I'd get a centercap...



If you decide to paint 'em, at least use a rust converter like Brieldo mentioned, or a paint-over-rust product like Eastwood's Rust Encapsulator (which works a lot better for me than POR-15). Use that under the Rustoleum paint or the paint won't adhere all that long. Bigger job than you might expect to do it right..



But who wants to see the retaining nut and a cotter pin? IMO it looks like the centercap fell off or got stolen.

 

[Brieldo]

I agree with Accumulator. it isnt too appealing seeing all that, regardless of how you end up handling rust removal/finishing