Repairing aluminum rims, can I do it myself?
When you try to protect or paint your rims yourself, you will often not be completely satisfied with the result. Here and there you can see a bump and very clear colored rims. If you hire an alloy wheel repair expert, you can be sure that he will paint the wheels according to your wishes and, if you want, repair minor damage so that your wheels look like new again.
What should you pay attention to when repairing aluminum rims?
If possible, you should paint aluminum wheels in a dry, dust-free room to prevent dirt particles from sticking to the wet paint. You should also protect the rims for painting. If you want to save time and do not want to remove the tire, you need to protect the entire wheel well, so that the paint does not drip onto the tire when painting.
Why is aluminum rims repaired?
Repair of aluminum rims Nicely painted rims can really catch the eye. Painting, i.e. protection, is especially useful if light scratches are found on the rims and if they no longer look nice. Then you can paint them and then varnish them so that they shine again. Repairing aluminum wheels will extend their life, as you prevent further deterioration and at the same time get a nicer look for your car.
How to restore aluminum rims yourself?
First of all, wash the wheels well and remove the tires, clean the old paint with a sander or drill with a brush. Hard-to-reach areas are cleaned with manual sandpaper. After sanding, rinse thoroughly with water. Lubricate the surface of the discs with silicone remover or solvent. We put the discs in a drying cabinet, which we heat at 40°C. After scratching, apply a base, trying to mask visible scratches, and dry the discs with a hair dryer. After drying, cool the discs and clean them with P220 sandpaper to a minimum thickness. We do this with crossed movements so as not to scratch the surface of the disk. Blow out the entire disc surface with a compressor, check for damage. In case of damage, the primer is reapplied and cleaned. We start painting aluminum rims: we use a thick wire on which the disc should be hung, providing access to it from all sides, without touching it with our hands. Blow out the entire surface with a compressor again, wipe it with a clean cloth. We heat the rims to a temperature of 40° C and apply paint. The first layer should be thin, because the application of paint is best done in 2-3 stages every 20 minutes. Apply the next layer of paint only after the previous one has completely dried. The paint is sprayed with a paint gun at a distance of 30-50 centimeters. Special care should be taken when painting hard-to-reach places. Dry the painted rim at a temperature of 40-60° and let the paint dry completely for 24 hours. We cover the rims with transparent varnish, which we dry in the same way as the paint. Polish aluminum rims with a polishing machine.
How much does it cost to repair aluminum rims?
The cost of repairing aluminum rims depends on how damaged they are, what colors are used, how many times they are coated, whether varnish is used after painting, what sizes the rims are, etc. Also, if you leave the rim repair to an expert, count on the additional cost of the service. Of course, reparation in professional services will give better visible results.
