spare tire rust

[mbaker]

Truck guys, what do you do if anything to keep the under bed spare wheel from rusting? I'm replacing mine and while I am at it wondering if there are tricks to keep at least the bolt circle and lug taper clean? I thought about wiping grease on these or fluid film but thought that might attract dirt, or is good old rattle can paint as good as any? The one that was on is original from 08, and while I am sure it would have been ok in a pinch I feel like it would have worked loose due to the rust scale on the back of the wheel and the lug holes. I don't need it to last another 16 years, but since I am starting out with a used wheel already I thought I'd try to head some of it off anyway.

 

[dubber09]

If you are taking tire off to replace, you may as well take wire brush to the rim and knock all rust off, then spray paint the rim with Tremclad Rust paint:

 

[Snagglefoot]

I use rust paint. It doesn’t stop it but slows it down.

 

[joegreen]

Coated mine in waxoil.

 

[Cujet]

Another very good option is Corrosion X 'MaxWax' is is a fantastic corrosion inhibitor that true to its name, forms a waxy coating that stops moisture from getting a foothold. It is among the best corrosion inhibiting compounds around, considerably longer lasting than BoeShield and LPS-3. On par with AV-30 or similar.

 

[camrydriver111]

Fluid film. No need to worry about surface prep.

Doesn't matter if it attracts dirt, you can wipe if off before installing on the car if you actually have to use it.

Where I live they turn to this in about 10 years.

 

[buck91]

I like RP342 on spare tires. Just less messy greasiness if you do need ot handle it roadside ever. My favorite rust inhibitor is fluid film but it does create a mess!

 

[Speedbird001]

I try to winch it down about once a year. Scrub/Wash/Dry real good (It usually has at least an 1/8th inch of road grime/pebbles etc. Then I overinflated the tire by ~10%, hose the rubber down with armorall the spray/wipe the steel wheel with Corrosion-X or similar.

Honestly, I am more concerned about the winch mechanism than the wheel itself. (That gets cleaned and lubed as well)

Messy, PITA, that's why it gets done only like once a year, would be 2-3 x a year if I it wasn't

 

[JoeDirt41]

X2 For Fluid Film or any other Lanolin based undercoating. The spare on my F-150 still looks new after 9 going on 10 PA winters.

 

[JTK]

Like @camrydriver111 , I drop the spare tires off my vehicles every year or so to remove the pile of dirt, grit and rocks that build up in the wheel and check the condition of the fluid film or woolwax on them. Then I re-fluid film the winch cable/chain and mechanism. If you don't do this, you will be cutting the cable and replacing the winch assembly every 3yrs or so in the rust belt. The wheel/tire will be an absolute black, greasy mess, but like new under the mess.