How to Refinish & Repair Alloy Wheels

Alloy wheels are often considered high-end because of their aesthetic appeal.

Alloy wheels are expensive compared with their metal counterparts because they are more durable, beautiful and functional. The alloy allows for faster acceleration, breaking and control, while exuding a lustrous exterior to enhance the car design. If small scratches or nicks start to appear on the wheels, repair and refinish them to restore their elegance and avoid costly replacements.

Things You'll Need

• Dish soap
• Rag
• Masking tape
• Spot putty
• Sandpaper (240-, 400-,1500- to 2000-grit)
• Block of wood
• Heavy paper
• Scratch-filler primer
• Spray paint
• Silver clear coat

Instructions

1. Wash the wheel with dish soap and a clean rag to remove any dirt, grease and debris.

2. Cover the area around the damage with masking tape to avoid unwanted spills.

3. Apply spot putty on the affected area. Let the putty harden for 10 minutes.

4. Feather sand the putty with 240-grit sandpaper. Wrap the sandpaper around a small block of wood for easier sanding. Sand only the damaged area.

5. Go over the sanded area with 400-grit sandpaper for a smoother surface.

6. Apply heavy paper around the tire with masking tape to avoid painting the tires.

7. Spray a coat of scratch-filler primer on the affected area. Let the primer dry.

8. Apply another small coat of putty on the damaged section. Sand the putty along with any rough patches from the primer with 400-grit sandpaper. Remove any overspray from the spokes with paint thinner and a clean rag.

9. Spray-paint the entire wheel according to the directions on the can. Spray multiple thin coats, letting each layer dry before applying the next. Let the paint dry overnight.

10. Apply two to three coats of silver clear coat, letting each layer dry for 20 to 30 minutes.

11. Sand down any rough spots with 1500 to 2000-grit wet/dry sandpaper to smooth out the repair area.

References

• Autopia-carcare: Guide to Wheel Scuff Repair on Alloy Wheels