Do-it-yourself car wheel repair

Do-it-yourself restoration of alloy wheels. — logbook Subaru Forester #atmostokrabochayoshadka 2001 on DRIVE2

Sadness, not casting.

This is what the casting of the workhorse began to look like at the end of last winter. But the appearance somehow bothered me the least, since the wheels continued to perform their direct function properly... or almost.

The problem is that due to the oxidation of aluminum, the tire no longer fits tightly to the rim and, accordingly, the logical result was a decent diffusion, which at first began to cause some inconvenience in the form of the need to inflate the wheel once a month, and then it was necessary to dismantle the wheel and clean the rim from corrosion results...

Fortunately, winter had come to an end by this time and I happily installed a summer set of wheels.

The winter tires were immediately removed from the problem rims and reflection began. By definition, there are few options here: restore these rims or buy another casting to replace them.

Moreover, in terms of finances, these options turned out to be almost identical. Well, this is if you buy not very sophisticated wheels.

Having figured out that restoring disks is not very cheap, and the disks are far from exclusive, at first I wanted to throw them out and buy a replacement.

But then I decided that it was somehow not sporty and decided to try to tinker with these pieces of iron. Mainly I was terribly curious what would happen in the end.

First of all, remove any remaining paint and varnish. Here the choice is obvious - sandblasting. The discs were returned safely and a few days later they returned in this form.

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After sandblasting.

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Particular attention to the rim. This is where the tire no longer fits tightly to the rim.

She already looks noticeably more cheerful than before :)

Next, we buy a simple kit for a young painter :)

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Here is such a simple set.

We clean the sandblasted disc with burgundy Scotch-Brite, it is rougher than gray.
The initially very rough surface of aluminum becomes smoother after sandblasting. Next, treat with a degreaser and prime in 2 layers.

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Primed.

It should be noted here that I didn’t intend to create any special beauty, and here and there on the disk there were traces of not very careful use. Minor dents and scratches. I decided not to waste time on them, because the restoration is more functional than aesthetic :))

After the soil has completely dried, gray Scotch-Brite is used. It is softer, but its rigidity is sufficient to, firstly, remove defects in the application of primer, and secondly, matte the primer before applying paint.

We degrease and paint the wheels in two layers with intermediate drying. I’ve never done this, the more exciting and interesting the process is :)

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Let's paint.

Finally, apply a layer of varnish. There’s a double layer on the rim to make it stronger :) Although whether it will all hold up is a big question) As they say, let’s chew and see :)

This is the result.

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All 4 disks are ready.

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The varnish added a little shine. I hope I added more protection for the paint :) The photos are all taken on a phone, so the quality is of course not very good.

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View from the inside.

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Made in Japan. By the way, another reason in favor of restoration. The car rolled off the production line on these rims 15 years ago :) Let it continue to move on them)

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Finally assembled the wheels.

After assembling the wheels, I tried on the center caps.
In principle, everything almost matches in color, but still the lids are somehow knocked out by their weariness 🙂 Apparently I’ll need to take care of them too 🙂 In general, I’m completely satisfied with the result, we’ll see how long it will be used.

Price tag: 3,000 ₽ Mileage 197000 km

Source: https://www.drive2.com/l/455008424095122942/

Wheel rims: repair or replace? – magazine Behind the Wheel

Related materials

Wheel rims are not the only ones that suffer from unexpected encounters with potholes or potholes on the road. They are easily damaged by pressing against, for example, a high curb. And the reagents used to water the capital’s roads do not spare the paintwork. But cosmetic flaws are not a big deal. Yes, it’s unpleasant and ugly, but you can drive with it.

As a last resort, the disc is sent for repainting. But if you fly into a pit with sharp edges at speed, the consequences can be much more tragic. You will not only “sentence” the tire, but also write off the disk. Especially if it's cast. After all, such a disk has a solid metal structure, and if damaged, it is completely impossible to restore it.

But first things first.

Painting

Let's start with the least of the evils - the loss of the attractive appearance of the disks. Powder painting can restore it to its original state. Before the procedure, the discs are washed with an abrasive cleaner and dried. Then the previous coating is removed with sandpaper.

The surface is degreased with a special solution. The paint is applied with a gun with an electrostatic effect: paint particles stick to the disc due to a static charge. The disc is then placed in a special oven, where it is kept at temperatures up to 200°C to achieve polymerization of the paint.

The process takes about 15 minutes.

The discs can also be painted with acrylic paint. Unlike powder, which is based on a dry concentrate, acrylic is liquid. And this greatly simplifies the process.

Plus, if the entire discs are covered with powder paint, then with acrylic you can paint part of the surface, apply a certain design, for example. You don't have to turn to professionals for this.

The paints are sold in aerosol cans, which allows you to work in garage conditions.

Powder coating can restore the attractiveness of the disc. The cost of painting one R16 alloy wheel, depending on the complexity of the work, is approximately 2000–3000 rubles. For a 21-diameter disc they will ask for 4000–5500 rubles. Powder painting can restore the attractiveness of the disc. The cost of painting one R16 alloy wheel, depending on the complexity of the work, is approximately 2000–3000 rubles. For a 21-diameter disc they will ask for 4000–5500 rubles.

With acrylic paint you can not cover the entire disk, but, for example, apply a design. With acrylic paint you can not cover the entire disk, but, for example, apply a design.

Painting stamped wheels is almost no different from painting a body. The surface is cleaned of dirt, washed, degreased and dried. Then they prime, paint and apply varnish.

Rolling

If the damage to the disk is minor, it can be sent for rolling, both cast and steel. The equipment for rolling discs is the same - only the prices will differ. A steel disc is more repairable and cheaper to restore.

Steel is more pliable, so rolling can remove axial runout, dents on the rim and other deformations. By the way, if a dent has formed on the rim so large that the seal of the wheel has been compromised, then in the case of a steel disk the bent edge can be straightened with a sledgehammer even in the field.

But with a cast disk, such a trick, alas, will not work.

The procedure is as follows: the disc is rolled and pulled out using a hydraulic press with roller profiles. The geometry of the disk surface is monitored using a laser meter.

The disc is rolled and pulled by a hydraulic press with roller profiles. The disc is rolled and pulled by a hydraulic press with roller profiles.

A stamped disc is easier to restore than a cast one. That is why the prices for repairing such wheels are lower. A stamped wheel is easier to restore than a cast one. That is why the prices for repairing such wheels are lower.

Approximate prices for rolling rims in Moscow, rubles

Diameter, inches	Stamped _	Cast
13	400	600
14	500	700
15	600	900
16	700	1100
17	800	1300
18	900	1500
19	1000	1700

If the cast disc is slightly bent and can be balanced with additional weights, rolling may help. It will give the disk its original perfectly round shape. Plus, there will be fewer weights on the wheel. Universal weights are glued to the inside of the disc.

In winter, with frequent temperature changes or when washing wheels under high pressure, the adhesive tape may not hold up and the load will fall off. And this will affect the balancing of the wheel. Let's not forget that air can escape from the tire through a small dent on the sidewall of the rim.

Rolling will remove small dents. The whole process will take no more than an hour.

Disc damage affects wheel balancing. According to technical regulations, the maximum deviation should not exceed 0.5 mm, both in the axial and radial directions. If the indicators are higher, you will feel a beat on the steering wheel while driving even on a perfectly flat road.

If the dent is large, the rolling procedure takes two or more hours. To speed up the process, would-be craftsmen heat the dent site with a blowtorch. This should not be done under any circumstances.

The fact is that a cast disk has a solid metal structure, and local heating will destroy this structure much more than rolling a “cold” disk. In places of heating, strong metal stresses will arise.

If in the future the stress point falls into a hole, especially with sharp edges, this will provoke the destruction of the disk, which, in turn, can lead to a serious accident.

Argon welding

If there is a strong impact, cracks may form on one or more arms of the disc. But let’s say the driver decided to stop in time and check for damage to the wheel. I noticed a crack and installed a spare tire. Now you need to decide what to do with the damaged disk: throw it away or try to repair it?

Modern argon-arc welding machines make it possible to weld broken disk beams, eliminate a rim crack, and even weld a broken rim fragment. The filler material is selected according to the composition of the disk. Let's say, if a disk bursts, it means that silicon predominates in its composition, and then they take silicon wire. If the disc is bent, its composition is dominated by magnesium. They use magnesium wire. Modern argon-arc welding machines make it possible to weld broken rays of a disk, eliminate a crack in the rim, and even weld on a broken fragment of the rim. The filler material is selected according to the composition of the disk. Let's say, if a disk bursts, it means that silicon predominates in its composition, and then they take silicon wire. If the disc is bent, its composition is dominated by magnesium. Magnesium wire is used.

Theoretically, such a specimen can be restored using argon welding, but a responsible craftsman will not undertake such work - the risk is too great. Theoretically, such a specimen can be restored using argon welding, but a responsible craftsman will not undertake such work - the risk is too great.

Argon welding can eliminate almost any damage to the disk, even if it has broken into several parts. The damaged area of the disk is cleaned, heated to its full depth, and boiled on both sides. Thus, the crack is filled with metal. After welding, the seams are ground, polished, and then the disc itself is balanced.

Approximate cost of welding disks with argon:

cost of welding seam per 1 cm - 150 rubles
fusing the disk side from the inside - 300 rubles per 1 cm
fusing the side from the outside - 400 rubles per 1 cm.

Wheel rims add charm to the appearance of the car, and any damage to them will upset the owner... Wheel rims add charm to the appearance of the car, and any damage to them will upset the owner...

You shouldn't skimp on your safety. If you see a bent rim, replace the disc. You should not skimp on your safety. If you see a bent rim, replace the disc.

Externally, a restored disk looks no worse than a new one. But how long will such a wheel last - after all, the loads on it are not small? The European Wheel Manufacturers' Association (EUWA) is against welding cracked alloy wheels.

Experts believe that discs cannot be repaired by welding, since heating leads to a change in the molecular structure of the metal and the accumulation of residual deformations. In addition, no one can guarantee that the wheel will not break the next day.

So it’s better to throw away a bent or cracked alloy wheel immediately and buy a new one. Yes, it is expensive, but life and health are more expensive.

Source: https://www.zr.ru/content/articles/904836-kolesnye-diski-remontirovat/

Repairing and editing disks - how does this happen?

So, in this article we will talk about disc repair, or as it is also called “disc editing”, or “disc rolling”. What is it, how effective is it and what is the technological process of such repairs?

All disks are divided, as a rule, into two categories: stamped disks , in other words, iron (the most budget option offered by the manufacturer) and cast wheels (made of light alloy aluminum with the addition of silumin and magnesium in different proportions, depending on the manufacturer) .

It is no secret that any disks installed on your car can become deformed under some more or less strong impact as a result of unevenness on the road, i.e. change your geometry.

In the vast majority of cases, having bent a disk or disks, you should not frantically run around the store and look for a new one, especially since one disk is often quite problematic to find, and sometimes it is simply impossible. But buying a set of discs is not the cheapest pleasure. In this case, the deformed disk can simply be repaired.

An example of wheel alignment in our tire shop:

Installing the disc on the straightening machine

Editing the inner side of the disk

Dressing the disc with a hydraulic press

Correction of disc radial runout

Stamped disks are repaired quite simply, since the iron alloy from which they are made does not crack as a result of deformation, and the damaged surface returns to its original place quite simply - undoubtedly, with the help of specialized equipment.

In this case, there are two options for repairing such disks:

What is the difference between rolling a disc and editing a disc?

During rolling, the disk is installed on a special so-called rolling berth, rollers are connected to the disk, which clamp the sides of the disk, and by rotating it, the rollers restore the bent sides, and in general the entire geometry of the disk.

Disc rolling video:

As for straightening the disk, in this case the disk is also installed on a special bench for fastening the disks, but the repair occurs not due to rollers, but due to the force of a hydraulic press, usually equal to 5 tons, directed to the place of deformation. If in the first case the process of rolling a disc with rollers is completely automated, then in the second case the process directly depends on the experience of the repairman.

Video of disc editing:

Now let’s look at the case of repairing an alloy wheel, in other words, a “cast” one.

There is only one method for repairing alloy wheels - straightening the disk. That is, repairs using the hydraulic press already described above, since aluminum alloy is much stronger and rollers will no longer help here.

In the same way, a hydraulic press is brought to the disk fixed on the slipway and, under the necessary force, the geometry of the disk is restored. If the disc deformation is insignificant, then such repairs are carried out, which is called “cold”.

If the disc deformation is significant, the area of deformation is first heated to a certain temperature and then straightening occurs. It is not uncommon for cracks to appear on the disc after a strong impact to the disc.

In this case, argon-arc welding is used to weld the fracture site. In addition, with severe deformation, microcracks can also appear, which become visible only during the process of straightening the disk. In this case, argon-arc welding is also used.

In any case, as I said earlier, the vast majority of disks can be repaired and the structure of the disk will not become weaker.

In this article, we figured out what the technological process for repairing disks is and how editing differs from rolling a disk.

Have a nice journey and smooth roads!

See also:

Repair of alloy wheels in Moscow
Why is wheel balancing required?

Source: http://shini-pitstop.ru/stati/remont-diskov.htm

Repairing alloy wheels, is it possible and how is it done?

Compared to steel wheels, solid models are more resistant to mechanical damage.

However, they are also susceptible to cracks, chips, and may bend as a result of hitting a curb or falling into a pothole.

In this case, the scale of damage depends both on the quality of the road surface and the speed of the vehicle, as well as on the point of impact.

The content of the article :

In the vast majority of cases, alloy wheels cannot be repaired. Of course, in each specific case, the degree and nature of the defect affects maintainability. In addition, the proposed recovery method is important.

It is important to know that the wheels in question are made by pouring a special molten composition into a pre-prepared mold.

Next, the workpiece is hardened, and only after completion of the entire technological process does the cast disk acquire the specified performance characteristics.

Welding

Chips or chips resulting from an impact, as well as broken-off fragments of a solid cast disk, are most often recommended in auto repair shops to be corrected by argon welding. In fact, this technique allows only to restore the exterior, but not the strength and reliability of the structure. In other words, after such a repair, the disk will be unsuitable for safe use in the future.

This is explained simply. The structure of the alloy itself, as well as the physical processes occurring during its heating and subsequent cooling, absolutely exclude local or general heating of the cast disk.

In no situation, regardless of the skill of the staff and the availability of the latest equipment, not a single auto center is able to recreate the structure and restore the properties of the alloy to its original parameters.

This is simply impossible, since even for a qualitative assessment of the structure of the material itself, the resources of a research institute are needed, let alone its restoration, which requires at least standard factory conditions.

This fact can be confirmed by an extract from the guidelines published by the EUWA entitled “Safety and service recommendations for rims”. In point 2.

3 of these recommendations states that any repair of a disk or rim by welding or heating, as well as removing or adding material is strictly prohibited.

At the same time, similar instructions are present in all organizations producing cast car wheels.

This means that when welding or any other heating, the alloy of the disk completely changes its structure, and therefore its original characteristics, which does not give it the ability to withstand the specified loads to which a vehicle wheel is exposed. Naturally, the consequences of such a “professional” repair will depend on the current situation.

If you fall into a small hole, the geometry of the rim may only be disrupted, but when driving at high speed and over a more significant obstacle, you can expect complete destruction of the disc. Is it worth risking your health and life? The question is rhetorical. The conclusion is clear. Driving on a disc that has previously undergone any kind of heat treatment is strictly not recommended.

It is very dangerous! Without any compromises.

Straightening

Rolling, or in other words, straightening of a cast wheel is most often offered in the event of wheel runout. Typically, the deformation causing static imbalance is determined when beading the tire, after which the tire specialist advises using the straightening service. Rolling of a cast model is carried out on special equipment similar to that used for straightening steel wheels.

However, workshop workers often heat deformed areas of the rim using a soldering iron or in another way, which, based on the above material, is strictly prohibited.

In such a situation, the only option that can guarantee continued operational safety is “tapping” the deformed areas, followed by rolling without heating.

This is a very long and rather labor-intensive process, which not every service worker can undertake. Well, the cost of such repairs will be appropriate.

It should be noted that this method remains relevant only in the mildest cases, when repairs can be avoided altogether. More serious deformations cannot be corrected without heating, but with it the disk will become unsuitable for use. This leads to an extremely important remark.

When buying used alloy wheels, you should carefully inspect their surface for signs of heating. They are expressed in specific accompanying stains that are not washed off. If any are present, then you should refuse the purchase.

True, if the discs are painted, nothing can be determined.

Painting

Today, most auto repair shops offer powder painting services for car wheels, including alloy wheels. And many drivers are wondering: “Is it worth investing in this, and what’s the point?”

So to speak. It is quite possible to restore the paintwork. However, this should be done by specialized specialists, and not professionals in the field of car body painting.

This is due to the requirements for paint quality, which are much higher in the case of alloy wheels.

This is explained by the fact that this coating is exposed to much more intense influence of external factors (moisture, dirt, reagents, etc.) than other body parts.

Having decided to give the wheels for painting, you need to make sure that they are properly prepared for the process by completely removing the previous coating, and after completing the procedure, check for static imbalance, which can be caused by uneven application of varnish. Naturally, this will require appropriate equipment.

Source: https://wheel-info.ru/remont-lityh-diskov.html

How to remove scratches from a car disc: repair steps

Content:

Keeping wheel rims new for several seasons is a very difficult matter, because these elements are the first to encounter all the adverse external influences on the car’s path. In this regard, they require regular updating, and most often repairs are necessary to eliminate scratches and chips on the disks. This will be discussed further.

Removing minor scratches on car rims is easy. This problem is usually solved by polishing, which you can do yourself. To do this, use sandpaper with a grit of 200, 400 and 600 P, as well as an abrasive polishing paste.

If it is necessary to repair car wheels by repainting them in a garage, liquid enamels and varnishes are more convenient. The powder method of applying paint material without a polymerization chamber is impossible. However, such paint, if of high quality and adherence to painting technology, adheres quite firmly to the surface of the part.

The quality of painting wheels on a car is determined by the thoroughness of preparation for repair, which includes removing the old paintwork, degreasing and priming the surface. Let's take a closer look at how you can return your rims to a great look and remove scratches and chips in a garage environment.

Before you start updating disks and removing scratches, you need to prepare the room. The garage needs to be cleaned, cleared of dust and debris, after which, if possible, it is necessary to treat the walls and floor with water to remove the remaining dust. This way it will not press on the surface of the car part being painted.

Now you can prepare what you need to complete the job:

water, detergent and a brush to remove dirt from the discs;
sandpaper of various grains for removing small scratches and sanding;
white spirit for degreasing disks;
finishing putty to seal cracks in parts;
acrylic primer and paint in cans (or in cans if you plan to use a spray gun);
clear nail polish;
gloves, respirator and safety glasses.

To update car rims to remove scratches, it is recommended to use paint and primer from the same manufacturer. Also, if you have a mini-wash available, the discs can be cleaned with it.

All stages of repairing scratches and chips on disks are as follows:

cleansing;
padding;
direct painting;
applying varnish.

The first step is to free the car wheel rims from rubber and thoroughly clean and wash them. It is also recommended to check them for unevenness and, if necessary, straighten them; it is better to entrust this work to specialists.

After cleaning, the surface grinding stage begins. Sanding is done using sandpaper, which helps remove old paint from the disc. At this stage, you can also use a mini grinder or drill with a special attachment.

If there are deep scratches, cracks or chips on the part, they are repaired by covering them with finishing putty, which, after drying, is sanded with zero-grade sandpaper (M 40).

The surface has been prepared, and now you can proceed to the next stage of repair - applying primer, which helps subsequent layers of paint to adhere better to the discs and also provides some anti-corrosion protection.

Then the primer is applied in two or three layers, each of which must be allowed to dry. Before applying primer to the surface of the disc, carefully read the instructions. Shake the can periodically during priming.

It is better to paint car rims the next day after applying primer to them. Painting is done in almost the same way as priming, that is, in 2-3 thin layers with drying of each of them.

The repair stage of coating the discs with varnish is carried out in two layers, and in order to completely dry after this, the discs must be left alone for 3-4 days. After this, the parts can be treated with a special polish and begin to be used.

You can repair car rims and remove small chips and scratches by using epoxy paste instead of putty and primer. This product consists of two components - the paste itself and the hardener.

After washing, cleaning, sanding and degreasing, they need to be mixed and applied to damaged areas with scratches and chips, then remove excess and allow to dry (see the time on the packaging of the specific paste).

You can dry the epoxy material under ultraviolet lamps, which will allow the paste to dry faster and set well. If you repair the discs without removing the rubber, then it must be sealed with masking tape.

After the epoxy has set, it needs to be sanded with fine-grit sandpaper, eliminating any unevenness. Then the discs are also painted with acrylic paint and varnished. After the repair, it will not be superfluous to treat the rims with car polish.

Source: http://AutoKuz.ru/pokraska/pokraska-diskov/kak-udalit-carapiny-s-diska.html

Do-it-yourself repair and restoration of car wheels

Many people, when selling their car, mention the most important options, such as an alarm system, leather interior, etc.

You've probably already noticed that among such advertisements there is rarely any mention of car rims, although they play a much larger role.

In this article you will learn how to repair and restore car rims with your own hands; it is no more difficult than dealing with side cuts on tires.

What role do car rims play?

The rims of absolutely any car must always be maintained in proper condition. A large number of drivers make a grave mistake, adhering to the principle: “they’re driving, okay,” but in vain. After all, wheels have a great influence on the behavior of the car and road safety.

Since discs are directly related to the chassis and are their main part, their failure can lead to the following consequences:

Any displacement of the discs affects the position of the suspension relative to the body and road surface. Most often, the very first to suffer are: steering, shock absorbers and independent suspension arms, which shift and disrupt the wheel alignment angles to an even greater extent.
Economical . A damaged wheel affects the position of the tire relative to the road surface. As a result of this, increased soil resistance to the wheel is created, which means that the car will need more fuel to overcome this barrier. Thus, faulty discs increase the vehicle's fuel consumption.
Traffic safety . Ultimately, a faulty disc that has certain misalignments affects the safety of movement. The fact is that when performing any maneuvers, the disc can tear the wheel bolts out of the threads, tear off the wheel nuts or studs, and also lead to a sudden skid. All these problems never end in pleasant consequences.

How to repair a wheel rim?

There are two concepts regarding car wheel repair. The first is their direct repair, which involves restoring the serviceability of stamped wheels, and the second is restoration, which is more related to cast wheels.

The most erroneous tool that drivers are so accustomed to using during repairs is a sledgehammer. Undoubtedly, this method can visually hide many dents on the surface of the disk and bring it, it would seem, to proper condition.

In fact, all this is only visual. To carry out normal repairs, you need to take such a disc to a tire shop.

There is special equipment with which the faulty disk is rolled and given its original appearance without losing its balancing qualities.

As for alloy wheels, this is a more important undertaking. Here it is prohibited to use not only a sledgehammer, but also the rolling method , since the cast disc may lose its properties and become unsuitable for use.

It should be remembered that restoration of alloy wheels is unacceptable if it has cracks located at the bolt holes or near the base of the spokes.

This is due to the fact that such places cannot be welded, since they bear most of the loads when driving.

Video - Example of alloy wheel repair

However, in all other cases it is possible to repair a faulty disk. Restoration involves removing minor damage in the form of small cracks that do not affect the main characteristics of the disc. All of them are pulled together using argon welding. If you do not own this device, then the best solution for you would be a trip to the nearest professional car service center.

Restoration of car wheels by painting

As you know, after repairing a part, in most cases, it is painted. Paint is applied to the surface of the disc not only as an aesthetic addition, but also as a protective layer. Many steel wheels are very sensitive to corrosion, so a coat of paint on their surface is essential.

Modern methods and painting capabilities make it possible to perform this procedure with such an effect that steel wheels will look much more attractive than cast ones. The most important point in this process is adherence to technology.

So, to paint the wheels, you need to go through the following steps:

First of all, any part being prepared for painting must be cleaned using sandpaper , a special metal brush or an electric tool with a similar property.
Now use a bucket of water to water the garage floor. This is necessary so that during painting or priming, dust does not rise and settle on the sticky surface of the freshly painted disc. After this, degrease the entire cleaned surface of the disk using white sprite.
Next, the discs need to be primed. The primer is applied using a special aerosol or with a conventional spray gun. The number of layers can be from 2 to 3 with a mandatory wait of 5 minutes between layers. After priming, you need to wait 24 hours and only then start painting the disc.
After priming, painting is done directly. It is applied in the same way as primer. After applying the very last layer of paint, a special protective layer is applied using the same technology, which prevents the loss of paintwork as a result of minor mechanical stress.

The painting process is complete. Now you need to wait 7 to 8 days and during this period it is better not to touch the disks at all. The varnish will gain its maximum strength and make them suitable for use.

Source: http://VipWash.ru/shinomontazh/remont-i-restavraciya-diskov-avtomobilya-svoimi-rukami

How to repair car wheels

Home » Repair and service » How to repair car wheels

When reading advertisements or announcements about cars for sale: color, leather interior, all the options, etc., you never thought about one feature. Namely, why are wheel rims either not mentioned at all or mentioned at the end, alloy wheels or castings are mentioned in passing? No, but in vain.

The role of rims

Wheel rims deserve more attention, and not the generally accepted attitude, according to the principle: “they go and go.” Why? Because the condition of the car’s rims affects many aspects of the condition of the car’s systems, cost savings and traffic safety.

Being an integral element of the chassis and suspension of a car, faulty rims affect the following parameters:

Serviceability of suspension elements. Radial or axial displacement of a damaged disk leads to failure of the steering mechanism, shock absorbers, and suspension elements.
Savings and safety. A faulty wheel rim means tire failure, which means the cost of replacing it, increased fuel consumption and decreased safety while driving.

How to repair rims

The condition of domestic roads makes us increasingly pay attention to such an event as repairing car rims. Repair of car wheels, depending on their type, can be divided into two types: repair and restoration. Moreover, the second type of repair relates more to the restoration of alloy wheels.

We often repair stamped and steel wheels ourselves, using a sledgehammer. But the external appearance of a repaired dent is very, very deceptive.

A simple recommendation for repairing standard wheel rims, which are steel and stamped, is that if you get a dent on the rim, you should contact a tire shop.

The equipment will allow you to roll the disc or roll it out.

With regard to alloy wheels, everything is a little more serious. Experts do not recommend repairing light alloy wheels using the rolling method. The structure of the metal is damaged and the cast disc loses its quality.

Repairing alloy wheels is a more serious matter due to the characteristics of the disk material. You should know that a real master will never undertake repairs to alloy wheels, as a rule, in two cases: if there is a crack at the base of the spokes or a crack near the mounting holes. He won’t take it, even if he is a “magician and wizard of argon welding.”

Repairing wheel rims with your own hands is a completely doable undertaking. But, under one condition: if the damage to the disk does not affect its parameters. As a rule, repairing and painting discs with your own hands is carried out in the case of small cracks on standard discs, which can be welded by conventional welding. This is the so-called disk restoration.

Restoration of alloy wheels can be done with your own hands if you are proficient in argon welding. If not, then the way out is service.

Technology for painting car rims

As usual, repairing and painting wheels are complementary concepts. The technology for repairing and painting alloy wheels is practically no different from painting conventional stamped wheels. In addition to external aesthetics, painting wheels is also protective. Steel wheels really need protection from corrosion, and accordingly, painting provides such protection.

Modern auto chemical products make it possible to paint steel wheels in such a way that, in terms of aesthetic perception, they will look much more attractive than casting. The main thing is to follow the technology for painting wheels.

By and large, the technology for painting cast and steel wheels is no different from the technology for painting a body or painting plastic car parts. All operations are required.

Preparing the disc for painting: if possible, the disc should be sandblasted. If not, clean it using sandpaper, a metal brush or an electric drill or grinder with a special attachment (in this case, strictly observing safety precautions).
Degrease the disc surface with white spirit. It is advisable to wet the floors in the garage so that dust does not settle on the disc during painting.
Primer. Both priming and painting of the disc can be done either from an aerosol can or using a paint “gun”. Naturally, the quality of painting with a spray gun is much higher. We apply the primer 2-3 times with breaks after a layer of five minutes. Then we leave the discs alone for 24 hours. The primer must dry.
Painting discs is similar to priming. An hour or two after applying the last layer of paint, we apply a protective coating with autovarnish. Also in two or three layers.

If there is such a possibility, then the rims after painting should stand for 7-8 days. During this time, the autovarnish will gain its full strength.

Good luck with your wheel repair and painting.

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We repair alloy wheels ourselves

It is no coincidence that alloy wheels are especially popular among car enthusiasts. They have excellent geometry and significantly improve the presentation of the car. But there is one drawback, which, combined with bad roads, can be called very significant.

This refers to their fragility. Often, defects in the road surface lead to the disc becoming unusable. Fortunately, not always after this, it ends up at a collection point for non-ferrous metals; in some cases, restoration of alloy wheels can help.

Dump or repair

It should be noted right away that you can only repair minor damage to car wheels with your own hands, which are more of a cosmetic nature. You should not try to fix more complex defects yourself, if only for safety reasons.

Therefore, repair of alloy wheels is not possible in the following cases:

For any damage in the hub area;
There are long and deep scratches;
Chips that violate the tightness;
Irreversible geometry violations.

Naturally, it is very difficult to independently determine the extent of damage.

This means that before you start editing, you should definitely consult with specialists. You can begin work only after they confirm that restoration of the discs is possible.

Tools and materials

Any car repair, regardless of whether it is done with your own hands or in a car service, requires the availability of tools. Naturally, the repair of alloy wheels is no exception.

It will require:

Sandpaper from P200 to P1000;
Two-component epoxy paste;
Respiratory protection and gloves.

If possible, it is very advisable to have an orbital sander in your arsenal.

This will significantly speed up editing and make repairing wheel rims less tedious.

Preparatory work

The first step is to remove the wheel from the car. Sometimes you can come across recommendations according to which this is not necessary. However, for the most part, experts agree that high-quality restoration of discs is only possible if they are removed from the car. This makes it easier to detect even the smallest damage.

And most importantly, the surface of the car wheel will be processed more efficiently. The dismantled wheel must be cleaned of dust and dirt and washed thoroughly with water and car shampoo. Ideal cleanliness will greatly facilitate the inspection of the disc, which is done visually, marking problem areas with a marker.

If there is even the slightest doubt that some of them can be fixed with your own hands, you need to consult with professionals.