mounting tires - inner rim rust -- tips and tricks...

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joe czech

joe czech

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started my new tire replacement today. when i seperated my 24 year old tire from the rim, i had a little surface rust on the inner wheel surfaces - i'm guessing around 10-15% light surface rust. i cleaned it up the best i could and don't think it will cause any issues, but looking for some input on sealing, or coating prior to mounting my new tires, tubes, and rim liners - BTW, it appears i still had my original rim liners, and overall, at least the front was in farily poor condition. i see in the service manual, it mentions to dust the tubes with "french chaulk" - have no idea WTF "french chaulk" is, but guessing it's talcum powder. so, comments, suggestions, tips, or whatever on sealing the rims, and before mounting the tires . i'm thinking a good coat of wax or maybe one of the new ceramic coatings on the inner rim surfaces - maybe a light coating of silicone spray. rust converter, ????.

mounting tires - inner rim rust -- tips and tricks...


mounting tires - inner rim rust -- tips and tricks...
 
I had the same thing on my rear wheel a few years ago. I used rust converter on it and then cleaned everything with a wire wheel which got rid of the visible rust completely. I also sprayed a little bit of light oil into the small holes to stop rust in the hollow rim shoulders.

Changed my rear tire a couple of months ago and the rust is not back so this approach worked.
 
joe czech said:
i see in the service manual, it mentions to dust the tubes with "french chaulk" - have no idea WTF "french chaulk" is, but guessing it's talcum powder
Click to expand...

French chalk.
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If the cleaned area is representative of the rest of rim, I'd say you done a great job. Wipe it down, maybe wax or even a cost of rust primer, should be good for another 45+ years.
 
I painted mine with Zero Rust (similar to POR-15) after the rust converter and wire wheel treatment.
 
Paint it after cleaning rust away with rust paint. French Chalk.. Think the white cliffs of Dover.
 
Re Chalk rec, that is just standard procedure when fitting tubes, to use something to help reduce pinch chances. Usually talc/baby powder is fine....if you can find it (J&J has now pulled off market due to law suits from those claiming it gave them cancer).
 
I do the ospho & buff with wire wheel also.... Probably shall apply silver paint next time around too because I use soapy water to slick things up to prevent the pinching..... sort of an always done it that way thing.

Joe those rims make mine look putrid........
 
I’d just use some rust converter and leave it at that. Those rims don’t look bad at all. I would avoid silicone spray or wax, especially on the rear, it may allowed the tire to creep around the rim.
 
thanks for the replies. looks like i'll start with a rust converter. i'm guessing i can pump in the converter through the "weep" holes on the inner wheel lip, flood the inner cavities, and let the excess drain off. the rust convertor should also wick through the lip seams. i'm thinking a light coat on the outer surfaces and i should be good to go. again, thanks….
 
joe czech said:
thanks for the replies. looks like i'll start with a rust converter. i'm guessing i can pump in the converter through the "weep" holes on the inner wheel lip, flood the inner cavities, and let the excess drain off. the rust convertor should also wick through the lip seams. i'm thinking a light coat on the outer surfaces and i should be good to go. again, thanks….
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Nah... spray your rust converter (I use Picklex 20) on a grey Scotch pad and rub it into the rim as you spin it. Wipe it off and paint with a rust proof paint.
 
maylar said:
Nah... spray your rust converter (I use Picklex 20) on a grey Scotch pad and rub it into the rim as you spin it. Wipe it off and paint with a rust proof paint.
Click to expand...
good idea for the exterior surfaces - still have the issue of rust within the rims inner wheel lip. I suspect the rims are rusting from the inside out, around the lip area. there are several weep holes that can be accessed with an aerosol can and a spray tube or a hypo needle syringe. I've got several needle syringes in the shop and some ospho rust converter - going to try to pump several ounces of the rust converter into the wheel lip and slosh it around while rotating the wheel. it should naturally seep out the wheel seam from the inside, and hopefully coat any and all rusty areas. got to give it a try. anything's better than nothing. next to paying taxes and oil leaks, I hate rust!
 
joe czech said:
good idea for the exterior surfaces - still have the issue of rust within the rims inner wheel lip. I suspect the rims are rusting from the inside out, around the lip area.
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My rear rim was rusted on the inside. Outside is good chrome. I only treated the inside, first with a wire wheel. The spoke dimples required stuffing rust converter soaked scrub pads in there and rotating the pad with a wooden dowel. Not a big deal. Followed with black rust paint and a new rim band. I'll see what it looks like in 5000 miles when the tire needs changing again.

rusty rim.JPG
 
joe czech said:
thanks for the replies. looks like i'll start with a rust converter. i'm guessing i can pump in the converter through the "weep" holes on the inner wheel lip, flood the inner cavities, and let the excess drain off. the rust convertor should also wick through the lip seams. i'm thinking a light coat on the outer surfaces and i should be good to go. again, thanks….
Click to expand...
Just wire brush it & move on.
Unless you are planning on riding it in the surf of those beautiful beaches, it’ll never be an issue.
 
concours said:
Just wire brush it & move on.
Unless you are planning on riding it in the surf of those beautiful beaches, it’ll never be an issue.
Click to expand...
I can understand what you're saying, however, not in my nature. next to over thinking things, being anal is another one of my bad habits - ;)

update -- finished up the front tire. cleaned and converted the residual rust with ospho - mounted the front (Dunlop TT100, Michelin airstop tube, and IRC rim strip). overall, went together without issues. side note - didn't have any tire spoons to do this job. bought a 3-spoon set on-line - Neiko 20600A - around $20 shipped. product eval - nice tools, well worth the $$$

(maylar) I think there may be some confusion on my terminology - when I referred to inside, I was referring to the inner wheel lip which appears to be a hollow cavity. I suspect the wheel is rusting from the interior surfaces of that inner cavity, and not so much as the surfaces where the rim liner goes. it's easy enough to address rust that's visible, it the stuff that you can't see that can come back and bite you in the a$$.
 
If you are not using bead locks you need to plug the hole to prevent moisture from coming in. I've found a taper headed bolt works well.
 
Tyre fitting gel from any MX shop, Pirelli style levers, will make the job so much easier. Those rims are in pretty good condition, just fit tyres and ride. Try not look at them underway, not good for for your health.
 
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