Repairing Alloy Wheels, please advise!

[ChaseDE]

With the wealth of knowledge here I figure if I am lucky someone here knows about repairing alloy wheels.

This is my latest project that mainly comes to me because I am cheap


I bought these 18" OEM E46 BMW M3 wheels, with brand new tires on them for $300 all in.

They are staggered and wider in the rears.

They were plastidipped, twice, and have pretty bad curb rash.

Exhibit A


I have been working my tail off to get them cleaned up, brushes, scrapers, pressure washer, a gallon of goo-gone, gloves, etc, etc. They are now CLEAN and have no more plastidip or paint on them.

Exhibit B


Exhibit C


Now I would like to fill the curb rash and any other pock marks they have on them. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to use? I see some people use Bondo but there are like 100 different kinds! I would like to use something I can source locally. I am all ears here! Tips, tricks, advice, products, let me know!

Thank you!

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

How deep is the road rash? I've chucked wheels in a lathe and given them a light clean up cut, then a polish.

 

[ChaseDE]

Pretty deep and I don't have a lathe haha.

I see people have good luck with Bondo 801 Putty so I am going to pick some up on my way home. This thread may turn into a "how-to" before you know it!

 

[dogdog]

I always thought they tig weld a similiar metal to it then turn it down and polish.... saw one of the locals does that here .... Not sure the details.... In for the info as well... just in case I get a fancy car .

 

[ChaseDE]

Yeah I wish I had 1/2 the tools some of you guys have lol. There is a place local that does this kind of stuff but I think the prices would scare me. I am just happy to have these with new tires for the price.

 

[3 Gun Shooter]

We've had alloy wheels repaired at work with chunks missing, and the price was a 1/4 of a new wheel. Last couple Ford alloy wheels I bought were close to $700 my cost, retail over $900. You'd think Boyd Coddington made them personally

 

[Superbec]

they look like replicas , not that bad damage from the pics ... must grind to bare metal, tig weld and grind back flush ...

I would just drive like that if they are still round and true

 

[theoldwizard1]

I always thought they tig weld a similiar metal to it then turn it down and polish.... saw one of the locals does that here .... Not sure the details.... In for the info as well... just in case I get a fancy car .

Yep, the "right", EXPENSIVE way of doing it.

Before you buy any filler are you going to spray paint them or powder coat ? Powder coat needs to be baked so you have to use the proper putty/filler.

Where is 'Cuda Chick ?

 

[FANTM58]

JB weld then sand and paint

 

[metal1313]

Around here most places use a company called hotwheelz to repair rims

 

[astroracer]

How are you going to finish them? Polish or paint?
If polish, you will need to get the deep gouges tigged up so you can sand them flush and polish. Do not weld on the wheels with the tires in place...
If paint, JB Weld would work but I would recommend All-Metal. It is a 2 part aluminum/epoxy based filler that will sand and feather much better then the JB Weld. That stuff gets pretty hard.
Mark

 

[rustyjames]

If you're going to paint I would use JB Weld.

 

[ChaseDE]

I didn't even think of jbweld, good idea. What I found online people like to use Bondo 801 putty. I'm just going to prime and paint them for now. Still learning.

 

[jimkinney]

I used a poor man's lathe to clean up some wheels edges.

Jack the back of the car up (don't forget jack stands and wheel chocks) mount the wheel, start the car put it in gear and use a DA or other sander. Hold some finer sand paper to get rid of the scratches. If not painting, spray some clear Krylon and your done.

This won't get really deep gashes clean unless filled with JB Weld or bondo. Then they are ready to paint.

I repainted the wheels on my Infiniti after removing the crappy plastidip. I hand sanded them to down, then started with aluminum primer then black paint (both Rustoleum). It's not as good as powder coat, but looks good.

 

[ChaseDE]

Primer is going on

 

[Hammer1963]

Opinions are going to vary on this subject. As some have said, TIG welding is idea, but not feasible for most.

I have many hours of experience at this kind of repair. Judging from your input, it sounds as if you are going to paint them and that will work very well provided you take appropriate steps. Clean and prep is the name of the game when making these repairs. Once you have worked out the minor gouges, you will need to prep the wheels for filling with an epoxy filler by abrading the gouged and surrounding feather edge areas with 80 grit paper. Once this has been done, thoroughly scrub the wheel with a degreaser and rinse well and dry. Use Acetone as a final wipe for the repair area. Apply filler tightly with a small plastic applicator. Let cure for twice the recommended time stated on filler. Sand with 80, 120, 220 and 320. You are now ready for etching primer.

I recommend and use Dominion Sure Seal Epoxo 89. This product has fantastic adhesion, heat resistance, feather edges well, minimal pin holes and cures at a relative quick rate. I recommend at least one hour of cure time with this product.

Any bare aluminum and filled area will require primer. I good aerosol etching primer will work and is a must for proper adhesion. I use Medallion/Rubber Seal and follow with a filler primer. If you have 2K primers at your disposal, then by all means use those. A lite coat of etching primer followed by a few coats of filler primer (wet on wet) will be sufficient. Whatever you do, DO NOT skip the etching primer step.

You are now ready for the paint prep.

I hope this gets you started and keep us updated!

Any questions, send me a PM

 

[dogdog]

the question is how well will those lips fair when you change tires next time on a tire changer..... with those epoxy/bondo stuff ?

 

[Randy Forbes]

I've done a couple of magnesium wheels, the BBS was real nice, suggesting that it was cleaner__more pure__than the Ferrari wheel.

I've also done a bunch of magnesium go-kart wheels (these 1960-61 McCulloch wheels were really cast of some trashy alloy).

Welding magnesium is similar to welding aluminum, requires hi-frequency AC TIG.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I will bet the Bondo 801 is easier to sand than JB Weld !

 

[ChaseDE]

the question is how well will those lips fair when you change tires next time on a tire changer..... with those epoxy/bondo stuff ?

I thought about that too, we will see how it does when that time comes. The tires on there now are winter tires and pretty much brand new so it may be some time haha

 

[Hammer1963]

the question is how well will those lips fair when you change tires next time on a tire changer..... with those epoxy/bondo stuff ?

If you use the procedure and product I outlined and the tire changer is careful, no damage will occur. I have heated the wheels to 420 degrees for additional straightening in an adjacent area approximately 1" - 1.5" away from direct heat and the product I use showed no signs of pealing. Prep and correct product is the key. I will TIG any area that I do not feel comfortable with using the Dominion Sure Seal Epoxo 89. So far in 8 plus years of using this material, I have had not one issue. Not, I do not use any Bondo products or any other non epoxy fillers on the wheels I repair

 

[ChaseDE]

I am about to the paint phase. So I don't like my cars super flashy, and certainly not "ricey", but I do like them to stand out just a bit....if that make sense?

So for a paint color, I could get a close silver match like they were stock.

Or I could paint them another color.

To be honest I kind of really like the drab matte green of the self etching primer but that won't work. Let me know you guys' thoughts!

These aren't the wheels I have, but it was easy to put this together on tirerack. Size and car/color are correct.

 

[Hammer1963]

Just a suggestion from someone that does this weekly. Honda Blade silver code NH95M or a gloss black base looks great on the style wheel you have and with the color of your car. Other suggestions would be:
Volvo Anthracite code 932
Toyota Phantom gray/Lexus F-Sport code 1E3
Acura Carbon Bronze pearl YR562P
I use these regularly. All are sprayed wet on wet over gloss black as a base followed by the wheel color and cleared. All down with a wet on wet process
Look on Google for these colors. Example: search Honda NH95M paint code

 

[Greeny]

The orange and green stand out a bit. The last choice, silver? is very nice. Classy.

 

[ChaseDE]

Just a suggestion from someone that does this weekly. Honda Blade silver code NH95M or a gloss black base looks great on the style wheel you have and with the color of your car. Other suggestions would be:
Volvo Anthracite code 932
Toyota Phantom gray/Lexus F-Sport code 1E3
Acura Carbon Bronze pearl YR562P
I use these regularly. All are sprayed wet on wet over gloss black as a base followed by the wheel color and cleared. All down with a wet on wet process
Look on Google for these colors. Example: search Honda NH95M paint code

Thanks Hammer, I very much like the Lexus darker grey, had a bit of sparkle to it it looks like maybe?

autozone near me has these in stock...

http://www.autozone.com/paint-and-b...tom-grey-pearl-perfect-match-paint/292928_0_0

duplicolor phantom grey Part Number: BTY1614


so explain wet on wet to me.

spray a gloss black coat
then spray a color coat
then maybe spray another color coat?
then spray a clear coat
then spray another clear coat?

with no dry time between coats? FEED ME KNOWLEDGE!

 

[aka Larry]

Just a suggestion from someone that does this weekly. Honda Blade silver code NH95M or a gloss black base looks great on the style wheel you have and with the color of your car. Other suggestions would be:
Volvo Anthracite code 932
Toyota Phantom gray/Lexus F-Sport code 1E3
Acura Carbon Bronze pearl YR562P
I use these regularly. All are sprayed wet on wet over gloss black as a base followed by the wheel color and cleared. All down with a wet on wet process
Look on Google for these colors. Example: search Honda NH95M paint code

Sorry for the highjack, but any idea what the paint code would be for 2015 Dodge Charger "WSQ" wheels (Hyper-black)? I'm looking to paint my OE wheels on my R/T to match the Rallye edition cars.

 

[ChaseDE]

Hey Larry, my google-fu tells me you are looking for

Hyper Black Pearl (Wheel) Color Code: JXY-W

people on dodge forums say it works perfect, here. http://www.paintscratch.com/touch_u...yper-Black-Pearl-Clearcoat-(Wheel)-JXY-W.html

http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/dodge-dart-general-discussion/7567-hyper-black-paint.html

 

[aka Larry]

Hey Larry, my google-fu tells me you are looking for

Hyper Black Pearl (Wheel) Color Code: JXY-W

people on dodge forums say it works perfect, here. http://www.paintscratch.com/touch_u...yper-Black-Pearl-Clearcoat-(Wheel)-JXY-W.html

http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/dodge-dart-general-discussion/7567-hyper-black-paint.html

Well your Google-Fu is better than mine....Thanks!

 

[Git]

A little late - but I would have broken the bead to get some separation from the tire and the wheel. That is what I did when I painted some motorcycle tires. I cut some wooden blocks as spacers

 

[ChaseDE]

went with the lexus phanthom grey and i like it

 

[Hammer1963]

went with the lexus phanthom grey and i like it

WELL DONE!

It appears I'm a little late on replying to your question about application, but yes you have it correct. The actual color coat will vary with how many coats of top color coat you use. I generally use 2 to 3 followed by 2 - 3 coats of clear. I use a 2K system which is a little different than spray can but both use the same method.

The wheels look like they turned out well. I have customers choose this color quite often and I use it on a set of wheels that I have as well.

 

[ChaseDE]

yeah its like in between silver and gun metal, nice balance. the oem color on the bmw wheels is called hyper silver i think.

 

[Hammer1963]

Sorry for the highjack, but any idea what the paint code would be for 2015 Dodge Charger "WSQ" wheels (Hyper-black)? I'm looking to paint my OE wheels on my R/T to match the Rallye edition cars.

This particular color is extremely difficult to match. I have a custom mix that I have formulated that works well most of the time. The factory wheels vary on the amount of Hyper affect that each one has and that's a huge issue. If you are painting all your wheels at one time, it is best to make sure you apply the same amount of color coat which is extremely difficult. I would suggest that you do a sample spray out recording the amount of paint that you are applying. The easiest way to do this is to use several 4" x 6" index cards covered clear packing tape and use them as you base for color spray outs, With this color, you must use a gloss black base coat for reflective purposes. Apply one coat on one card, two coats on another card, three on another and compare which depth you prefer.

 

[Hammer1963]

yeah its like in between silver and gun metal, nice balance. the oem color on the bmw wheels is called hyper silver i think.

You are correct on the BMW color. There are several Hyper silver colors and that BMW color is unique to BMW.

 

[ChaseDE]

Finally all done, mounted, new center caps, looks good. Could maybe use some spacers up front though..

 

[p_mori7]

If they are all stripped now, try simply sanding them down where the curb rash is. I've done it many times. Then repaint the wheel. Depending how deep the gouges are, you could start with some 50 or 100 grit and work your way up to 400 or 800 grit. it will make them look a lot better. If there are pieces missing, that's a different story.

 

[Hammer1963]

Finally all done, mounted, new center caps, looks good. Could maybe use some spacers up front though..

Looks good!

 

[ChaseDE]

Got bored in the garage and decided to black out the stock wheels, which will be winter wheels.