If your alloy wheel becomes damaged your first thought may be to run it to the shop to prevent further damage. However, in some cases, you may be able to take care of slight damages yourself with just a few handy tools.
When starting any new project we first must understand what we are working with, for this example, we will use alloy wheel repair as our base metal as it is the most common. Alloy is a lightweight material that consists of a mixture of aluminum and other metals. Most vehicles, unless they have been upgraded start off with alloy wheels and rims.
Now that we know the basics of the material the next step is to learn about the anatomy of your tire. The outer rubber is the tire itself which covers an inner tube that allows it to remain inflated. The metal that fills the center of the tire is called the wheel, consisting of the outer rim, the spokes, and the hub.
Types of Damage in an Alloy Rim
Sense Alloy is lightweight it can be prone to small scratches and scuffs, small dents and curb rash. These smaller cosmetic damages can easily be fixed at home with a few tools and some elbow grease. It is important to remember that if these scratches go past the protective layer to the metal itself this puts the wheel in danger of corrosion potentially causing worse problems if left unattended.
Dents and bends in the wheel can be noticed usually around the rim itself where you will notice a slight deformation. These can be slightly harder to repair than the more cosmetic aspects listed above but that does not mean it’s impossible. In this article, we will be addressing a guide to the following repairs, scratches and scuffs sometimes known as curb rash, and miner dents and dings.
Repairing Scratches and Scuffs
For scratches that have gone to the metal, it will require a little more attention as you will have to sand down the wheel till the texture is even again. Now that the wheel no longer has visible scratches we must cover the exposed metal with a filler to seal the wheel shut against erosion. Once the filler is dried it is time for one last sanding with fine sandpaper for a smooth finish
Fixing Curb Rash
Fixing curb rash is very similar, while scratches can happen anywhere on the alloy wheel repair itself curb rash is normally located around the rim. This may take sanding down larger portions of the wheel to form and smooth exterior. Like before we must fill any lingering scratches with the appropriate filler and smooth it back out when it has finished drying.
Addressing Minor Dents and Dings
When addressing dents one first must identify the location and extent of the damage. Minor dents can be repaired by using a repair kit found at your local parts store. Another option is to use a rubber mallet to bend the dent back into its original position. Once you are satisfied with the outcome you can then buff out any scuffs left by the repair with a finishing liquid and a microfiber cloth.
With the right tool, you will be able to DIY these repairs, creating an opportunity for you to grow and learn something fun. Car repair can seem daunting and impossible to start but it is much more simple than you might think. By doing these repairs on scratches, dents, and curb rash you save money and time.