Rattle cans (or spray cans) offer much more value for money and they’re definitely considered to be the easiest type of paint to use for this job. Make sure that the wheel is as clean as possible as otherwise you won’t get a good finish on the paint. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 9,776 times. This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. But with a bit of DIY knowledge, you can repair scratches, kerb damage, bends, and corrosion at a fraction of the price that many auto dealers charge! products! Dents or chunks of missing wheel can be filled using metal fillers; once set they will be sanded back down to the profile of the wheel. Alloy wheel scratch repair fillers all have different instructions when it comes to usage and drying times so you will need to follow the specific instructions from the filler and usually allow up to 48 hours to dry. The wheel will also have to be dry for this stage as otherwise the masking tape will not stick to the wheel. Something which is often overlooked is the wheels of your vehicle. Leave around a hour between each mist coat and keep misting the wheel until the paint covers the surface. For a set of 4 alloy wheels repaired in Leeds, we start at £200. Alloy wheel scratch repair fillers all have different instructions when it comes to usage and drying times so you will need to follow the specific instructions from the filler and usually allow up to 48 hours to dry. Don’t rush this stage as a dirty car wheel will only create a dirty base for the paint and that will just waste your time in the long run. Avoid cold, damp areas—the putty will not dry properly. Apply as much pressure as possible toward the wheel. Put those wheels back on, stand back and now it’s time to appreciate your handywork! Check the primer's instructions to see how long … Avoid using a metal hammer or you risk breaking the alloy wheel. Some people choose to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get the car repainted or add extras onto the body to enhance its features but there’s something much cheaper you can do to make a car look new again, and you can do this yourself. Yes you heard us right! Related Posts: Best Aluminum Polish and Best Metal Polishes. On a serious note, this is the fun part as you get to see the fantastic paint job you have done with your own hands. The next stage of diy wheel refinishing is also vital and not a step that you should be tempted to skip! You need to remove all dirt and grease before you go any further. To remove brake dust you may need a special cleaning fluid. The type of paint available for alloy repair is normally powder coating or rattle cans. We curate, you discover! You can do a DIY refin… Over time, alloy wheels are bound to experience damage, whether it's light scratches or kerb damage. So, we recommend removing your wheels individually. Related Posts: Best Wheel Cleaner Brushes and Best Wheel Cleaners For Your Car. You will probably need to apply around 2-3 coats but some people like to add more. Alloy Wheel Refurbishment Prices Kerbside damage, scrapes and chippings from the road can leave unwanted markings and damage to your alloy wheels. Our experienced and specialist team can repair bent & buckled alloy wheels. The alloy wheels are painted one at a time and then put back in the oven to dry for around 30-40 minutes. Although your first instinct is probably to call a mechanic or head to a car repair center, these are fairly costly options. Make sure that the paint is completely dry – this may take up to 48 hours but the longer you leave it the better. If all you can find is rubber, that's fine—it just might not be as effective. Learn how your comment data is processed. You can remove the alloy from the tire but this is necessary as long as you mask the wheel. Wipe in circular motions and focus your efforts on the areas with the highest amount of corrosion. It’s a time consuming task but totally worth it for the end result. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. However, this technique is more likely to cause wheel damage, so do so at your own risk. Seek personal recommendations, social media suggestions, or independent reviews on search engines. The wheel is immersed in a chemical bath to expose the bare alloy. Chad Zani is the Director of Franchising at Detail Garage, an automotive detailing company with locations around the U.S. and Sweden. Sometimes, “take off” wheels can be found at the local junkyard or on Craigslist for a good price. At this stage you can choose which type of paint you might like to use. How much does it cost to repair scuffs on alloy wheels? Chad Zani. In other words we can straighten alloy wheels back to their original shape. Failing to do this will hinder the repair process. This article has been viewed 9,776 times. Once you have cleaned, sanded, primed, painted and sealed you can then remove those playing cards and treat yourself to a well deserved game of poker! If your wheel is corroded or has flaked paint then you will need a coarse sandpaper to start with to sand down to the bare metal. 2. Prepare work area & wheel. We have machines which are used for checking wheels are safe and running completely straight and are symmetrically round. From the standard alloy wheels to diamond cut and split rim, we have the tools and knowledge to get the job done. Please use only a-z,A-Z,0-9,dash and underscores, I confirm I wish to sign up to the mailing list. You’ll need to make sure that your wheel is totally clean and dust free. Wipe the area dry with a soft cloth when you're done. Expert Interview. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. I use a degreaser to remove wax, dirt, and road-film — you don’t want to sand that stuff into the... 3. Alloy wheels are restored by carefully sanding the area to remove the damage, such as a kerb scuff or chips to the alloy trim. This article was co-authored by Chad Zani. Breaking of the tyre beads to free the rim from the tyre itself. If you’re unsure which type to use then test on a small area first. Use paint thinner to clean the area surrounding the damage. Purchase lubricant from auto parts stores or online suppliers. If the wheel is cracked at more than one places on the inside, has cracks of more than 1-inch, or is severely bent, then it cannot be repaired and has to be replaced only. Keep the blow torch about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the wheel. 95 Alloy Wheel Pro Repair Kit for MERCEDES wheels and rims 3.8 out of 5 stars 41 This is to ensure that you don’t get any paint or primer onto your tire and you get a nice clean finish. Always work in a cool, well-ventilated area. If you liked the video, give it a thumbs up, subscribe! We can repair pot-hole damaged alloy wheels. If the alloy has been chipped, a filler can be used to repair the profile of the wheel before it is sanded again to blend the repair into the existing alloy wheel. The final stage in diy wheel refinishing is to coat the paint with a protective layer. Mechanics can charge top dollar for wheel refurbs and replacing them can also be expensive. Since removing and fitting tyres to aluminium alloy wheels can carry damage risk, and alloy wheel corrosion treatment can be expensive, it is often the case that a driver will have two sets of wheels for their car, one with summer tyres for the warmer months and one … Don't worry about applying as much pressure when using finer sandpaper. Spray three coats of clear-coat paint on the aluminum wheels. Detailed Steps: 1. Even if the alloy looks like it’s in pretty good condition it will still need sanding. Again, it’s important not to rush this stage. While there’s no dedicated trade body for wheel refurbishment companies, these online reviews and word-of-mouth testimonials can help inform your decision. The first job is to ensure that any chunks of dirt are removed from the tire. The most important thing that you must check before spraying your alloys, is to check that the primer has dried thoroughly. You might need to wash and dry your wheels again before priming them for paint. If your wheels are scratched, you have a few options: 1. Paint thinner - using paint thinner, clean the area surrounding the damage to your alloy wheel. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Alloy wheels are generally more difficult to repair after getting damaged and may have to be replaced. Using a … Make sure that you have everything you need in one place and adequate space to sand and paint your wheels. A pack of playing cards can really come in handy at this stage as you can slot them into the gap between the wheel and the alloy and sort of “fan” them around. Continue sanding the alloy wheel until the surface is as smooth as possible. With our thorough and complete restoration services, we restore alloys back to their original condition and colour, or customise them to a colour and style of your choice, whilst providing the long lasting results unachievable from mobile repairs. Save yourself some money and learn how to repair alloy wheels at home with our helpful guide. How to use an alloy wheel repair kit Start by cleaning the wheel with washing up liquid. Moonvvin Alloy Wheels Repair Kit Rim Restoration Sliver Color Repair DamageS Scuffs and Scrapes with Easy Full Instruction for Alloy Wheels 3.8 out of 5 stars 245 £12.95 £ 12 . 3. A professional alloy wheel repair service will use a range of sanding techniques to remove scuffing. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Don’t add too much paint to one specific area of the wheels, ensure the paint layers are thin and never spray the paint too close. Always apply thin coats as this will ensure a smoother finish. How To Restore Alloy Wheels. Continue this process around the circumference of the rim until it's completely loose from the wheel. Auto Detailing Expert. Wipe the wheel down with a dry cloth afterwards to remove any residue from the sandpaper. If you don't have 400-grit sandpaper, use the finest (also known as the highest grit) sandpaper that you have. Some people like to refurbish their wheels whilst still attached to the vehicle but this isn’t ideal. Let the wheels dry for a full day before mounting the tires on them or mounting them on your vehicle. This can include things like: Removing the wheels from the vehicle. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. 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