How to Fix a Nick in Alloy Wheels
Alloy wheels increase the overall appearance and control of a car. Because of their light weight, alloy wheels provide better steering and better acceleration than their steel counterparts, though most consumers purchase alloy wheels purely for aesthetic reasons. Nicks, scratches and abrasions can deteriorate the beauty of the wheels, and though professional auto body shops can repair the imperfections, you can do professional quality work at home, saving on repair costs.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Cleaner
- Rag
- Paint thinner
- Masking tape
- Paper
- Spot putty
- 240-grit sandpaper
- 400-grit sandpaper
- Sandpaper up to 600-grit
- Scratch-filler primer
- Spray paint
- Wheel polish
Instructions
-
-
1
Clean the wheel with a rag and cleaner to remove dirt, grease and grime. Use paint thinner to remove residual paint stains.
-
2
Protect the surrounding tire by masking it with paper and tape.
-
-
3
Apply a thin layer of spot putty to the nicks. Let it dry for 10 minutes.
-
4
Use a 240-grit sandpaper to feather-sand the spot putty. Then use 400-grit sandpaper to flush the rest of the putty with the wheel's surface.
-
5
Spray scratch-filler primer onto the treated area and let it dry.
-
6
Apply a second coat of spot putty. Sand with 240-grit sandpaper until even with the surface.
-
7
Spray a second coat of primer. Let it dry. Feather sand with 400- to 600-grit sandpaper.
-
8
Spray paint the entire wheel in a color that matches the rest of the wheel. Shake the can well before spraying. Spray two to three coats, letting each coat dry before applying the next.
-
9
Spray two clear coats, letting each coat dry.
-
10
Use wheel polish to finish.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Work directly on the damaged section when applying putty, when sanding and when priming.
References
- Photo Credit wheel image by sasha from Fotolia.com
