How to clean wheel mating surface to rotor?

[454cid]

I'm not used to aluminum, but rather steel. I'd try anti-seize. It's what I use between hubs and rotor or drums.

[FireFox31]

Thanks for all of the tips. When I had replacement snow tires mounted on Geronimo's rusty wheels, the tire shop cleaned the mating surfaces. Looks like they used a flat disc large enough to clean the entire surface at once. Hopefully that kept things level.

Unfortunately, one wheel mating surface is clearly not level. It rocks when pressed by hand against the rotor. Do you see any problem with getting that machined flat at a wheel repair shop? Changes the depth of the wheel slightly. Instead, maybe they could permanently shim it.

I'm in the market for a used set of P80 wheels, primarily to hold the summer tires for this car. Having one extra to replace this damaged one might be cheaper than repair. I might try a junkyard.

[scot850]

I don't use anti-seize between the wheel and the hub as it makes such a cruddy mess on the wheel contact surface and it can also prevent the wheel sitting flat on the hub if you are not careful. I first use an old worn down rotary brush on a drill to get rid of the rust. I do this twice a year as we have to change the tires for winters. I have spare rims for that.

After cleaning the hub, I spray WD40 onto a cloth and then wipe it on the contact surface.. It helps reduce the rust returning quickly. I don't spray the hub directly as to prevent contaminating the braking surface and pads.

If there is a horrid mess on the back of the rim contact surface, I use a hard sanding block and 180-220 grid and lightly sand the surface to remove. So far no issues. Typically don't need to do this every year.

Finally I do smear a little anti-seize on the hub center to prevent the locating faces from sticking.

Neil.