Oxidisation?

[chrisfs]

When I bought my LS400 recently, the spare wheel was in a disfigured state because the boot had been leaking (damaged seal) and the wheel had clearly been lying in water for some time. Apparently it is suffering from oxidisation. The dealer agreed to pay to refurb it but has now discovered it will be a very expensive job and would rather not! Given that the wheel will hopefully never see the light of day I may go along with that in return for a contribution to some other work I have paid for myself.

My main concern though is to know that the wheel is not damaged in that it remains functional, and also will not deteriorate further as for example steel might do with rust. The dealers tell me that is the case.

Frankly though I don't have a clue if that is right or not. Can anyone reassure me?

(By the way I have not taken a look under the carpet beneath the spare to see if the metal below has developed any rust. Wonder if I should . . .).

[legendswraith]

When I bought my LS400 recently, the spare wheel was in a disfigured state because the boot had been leaking (damaged seal) and the wheel had clearly been lying in water for some time.  Apparently it is suffering from oxidisation.  The dealer agreed to pay to refurb it but has now discovered it will be a very expensive job and would rather not!  Given that the wheel will hopefully never see the light of day I may go along with that in return for a contribution to some other work I have paid for myself.

My main concern though is to know that the wheel is not damaged in that it remains functional, and also will not deteriorate further as for example steel might do with rust.  The dealers tell me that is the case.

Frankly though I don't have a clue if that is right or not.  Can anyone reassure me?

(By the way I have not taken a look under the carpet beneath the spare to see if the metal below has developed any rust.  Wonder if I should . . .).

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if its an alloy they are usually aluminium alloy so it will only be surface corrosion (you would be extremely unlucky to get intergranular corrosion) you can use scotchbrite to get the old powdercoat and oxidisation off and then spray it from a can just make sure you get all the powdery white corrosion off and degrease it otherwise it will come back through

[chrisfs]

OK, that sounds fairly reassuring!

Thanks for your help LW.

[Bazza]

non ferrous metals oxidise when exposed to the elements

once oxidised they are actually better protected, its only that we want to see pretty things that we polish and shine them

copper was used for roofing, and was only fully protected after oxidisation had taken place

[legendswraith]

non ferrous metals oxidise when exposed to the elements

once oxidised they are actually better protected, its only that we want to see pretty things that we polish and shine them

copper was used for roofing, and was only fully protected after oxidisation had taken place

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thats true enough barry cos the oxidised surface is more stable looks ugly though and you get no bling points for it :D