How to Refurbish Alloy Wheels
Alloy wheels look great when they are in perfect condition, but after years of use, they often become scratched, dull and dingy looking. Short of buying a new set of aluminum alloys, the next best thing is to refinish the wheels. You can refurbish a set of four in a weekend or so with the proper materials and know how.
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Things You'll Need
- Several cans of spray paint (whatever color you want the wheel to be)
- Several cans of primer
- Several cans of clear coat
- Sandpaper, from 240 to 2,000 grit
- Mineral spirits or paint thinner
- Paint stripper (Jasco or similar)
- Bondo
- Spot putty
- Putty applicator
Instructions
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1
Remove the wheels from the car. If they are still mounted, have the tires removed by a tire shop. This step is optional, but removing the tires will result in a better-looking wheel.
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2
Scrub the wheel with wheel cleaner or with dish detergent and rinse thoroughly. Make sure there is no debris or dirt anywhere on the wheel. Use paint stripper to strip the existing paint and primer thoroughly from the wheel. This will not work if the wheels have been chromed.
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3
Fill in any shallow scratches or curb rashes with the spot putty. If there are deeper scratches, use Bondo. If there are any large gouges, these need to be filled in by welding. If this is a skill you do not have, find a professional shop that does welding.
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Wait for the putty to dry and then sand it with a 240-grit sandpaper, feathering the putty into the nearby surfaces for a uniform appearance. The putty does not dry well if it is cool and damp. This should be done in the sun if possible. Sand with 400 grit after the 240 grit smooths the surface. Sand until the surface looks and feels flush.
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Clean the wheel thoroughly with paint thinner or mineral spirits and a lint-free cloth. Be sure and clean the wheel well. Preparing the wheel for paint is one of the most crucial steps in getting a great looking surface. If the tire was not removed, mask off the tire carefully around the wheel so that no overspray gets on the tire.
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Spray a coat of primer onto the wheel. To promote adhesion, spray a light dusting where the primer is going. Wait for a minute or so and then spray on a coat of primer in smooth back-and-forth motions. Sand the primer when it is dry with 400- and then 600-grit wet sandpaper. Apply at least two coats of primer.
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Clean the wheel again with mineral spirits once the primer is dry. Spray on the color coat and repeat the process of sanding with 400- and then 600-grit wet sandpaper when the paint is dry. Apply at least two coats.
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Let the color coat dry thoroughly. You can even wait overnight to make sure. If the paint is not completely dry, it may lift when you apply the clear coat. Spray on two to three coats of clear, waiting 30 minutes or so between coats. Sand the clear coat with 1,500- and then 2,000-grit sandpaper when the clear is completely dry. Polish the wheel with wax to return the clear to a brilliant shine.
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