I guess let me generalize it further. Does aluminum corrode/rust?

 

Yep, corrode. Takes a long time, but yes. Especially, once the clear coat is pitted.

 

Alum. is as a non-ferrous metal, = no iron content

Alum. however will oxidize because of its Zinc content, our rims have a clear coating to prevent this effect.

 

Aluminum does NOT rust, rather it gets a white powdery corrosion.

Most alloy wheels are treated with a clearcoat of sorts anyway. Now if that clearcoat breaks down, then yes, you could have some corrosion but they shouldn't rust.

 

Must be an echo in this board! :P

 

Thanks folks.

I have this guy whos says aluminum does not oxidize because it is already oxidized. I dont know what that means. And that clearcoat is aluminum oxide which is created by a reaction with the oxygen in the air. Sounded like crazy talk to me so I thought I'd consult the board. Thanks again.

 

Great minds think alike, that's all!!!

 

True, true

 

Well, you're buddy is not too smart in the ways of metals. All metal will oxidize, rust is just iron oxidation. Take raw aluminum billet and expose it to warm salt air in say, Florida. It will look like crap. Even Stainless Steel given a long enough exposure to the right elements will oxidize. That's why most all metals are anodized, alodines, or coated with something. Stainless is one of the few exceptions as it can take normal conditions and hold up fine.

 

Alodine all alum parts! IMO works well on 30million jets

 

Actually, the guy is right. When aluminum is exposed to air, it instantly forms a microscopic layer of aluminum oxide. This protects it from further oxidation. Aluminum oxide is generally transparent. It's the same stuff that makes up the bulk of rubies and sapphires. When you anodize aluminum, you immerse it in a basic solution (i.e. lye), and hook up high voltage electrodes. This causes the aluminum to form a larger oxide layer. It's usually dyed afterwards to get the color. Aluminum oxide is one of the hardest materials, very close to diamond! Of course, if the wheel is getting pelted with stones, it will still get pitted. The pits will reoxide quickly, but with a rough surface finish, it will still look like crap. Hey, maybe you can get a leather bra for your wheels! :P Here's a link that talks about it:

http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Mat...corralumin.htm