How to Refinish Alloy Wheels

Nice Rims

Scrapes, bumps or nicks--alloy wheels do not take kindly to these types of damage. The bad news is this kind of damage won't buff out with a rag or brush cleaner. The good news is there is a tried and true method of getting your rims back in shape.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Clean towel
• Paint thinner
• Lint-free cloth
• Masking tape
• Brown paper sacks (10) or an old sheet
• Sanding block
• Sandpaper (240 grit and 400 grit)
• Bondo putty
• Spray Primer
• Silver wheel lacquer (spray can)
• High gloss clear lacquer (spray can)

Instructions

1. Scrub the entire wheel, including the damaged area, with dish soap and a wheel brush. Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

2. Apply a daub of paint thinner to a lint-free cloth and thoroughly clean the damaged portion of the rim. All traces of the dirt and debris must be removed before moving on to the next step.

3. Cover every surface around the damaged portion of the rim with masking tape. Include the tire itself and the remainder of the rim.

4. Either tape brown paper or an old sheet to the remainder of the car facing the damaged wheel. This is to prevent any silver wheel lacquer, high gloss clear lacquer or primer from adhering to the rest of the car.

5. Lightly sand the damaged area using 240-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Wipe the area with a clean, dry towel.

6. Apply enough Bondo putty to fill and cover the damaged area. Allow 15 to 30 minutes to dry (see Tips).

7. Sand the dried putty down until flush with the rest of the rim using 400-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Wipe the area with a clean, dry towel.

8. Spray the primer on the damaged area (and only the exposed area). Apply one even coat and allow 15 minutes to dry.

9. Sand the dried primer again until flush with the rest of the rim using the 400-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Wipe the area with a clean, dry towel.

10. Spray an even coat of silver wheel lacquer over the sanded area. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to dry.

11. Spray another even coat of silver wheel lacquer. Allow to dry overnight.

12. Spray an even coat of high gloss clear lacquer to seal in the silver wheel lacquer and restore a shine to the rim. Allow 24 hours to dry before driving.

Tips & Warnings

• For best results, do this project on a warm, sunny day to significantly reduce the drying time of the Bondo putty. For best results, only clean, sand and paint in and around the damaged area.

• Use the silver wheel lacquer, high gloss clear lacquer and primer in a well-ventilated area.

References

• Repairing Damaged Alloy Wheels

Resources

• How to Refinish Alloy Wheels