Wheel balance weights

[Jerry C.]

Anyone know what to clean old lead wheel weights with? Thanks in advance.

[Gary B.]

Wheel balance weights

I've successfully used a toothbrush, baking soda mixed in water or 0000 steel wool.

Gary

[Joe R.]

Re: Wheel balance weights

I experimented with several different methods including bead blasting at low pressure, chemical dips, and scrubbing with mild abrasives. In the end, the method that I thought gave the best result was to clean them with a SOFT brass wire brush.

The brush I used looked sort of like a tooth brush. These can be found at hardware stores and car show flea markets, although some are softer than others.

The resulting finish on the lead was just a bit too bright, but the finish oxidizes slightly within a few weeks and dulls down a bit.