HIGH KERBS, careless driving, cavernous potholes… these and countless other perils are the enemies of alloy wheels, the most attractive thing about many cars.
Don’t panic if your wheels have taken a knock, here’s everything you need to know about repairing alloy wheel damage.
DIY repairs: How to repair alloy wheels yourself
Everyone kerbs a wheel at some time. It’s possible to repair light damage with an over-the counter alloy wheel repair kit comprising sand papers, a filler, primer and paint. You may want to apply a lacquer on top, depending on the wheel’s finish.
Such kits demand a combination of patience and luck on the user’s part: the patience to prepare the wheel properly and paint it without causing any of the paint to run, and luck that the paint colour you choose matches the wheel.
Step by step process
- Clean the wheels thoroughly to remove dirt and grease. Tip: washing up liquid works well
- Use the sandpaper to remove damaged paint and flatten chips
- Wipe away any dust
- Mix the putty and fill in the damaged area – make sure the surface is as level as possible
- Leave to set
- Once fully dry, use the sandpaper to sand the filler until flush. This step takes time and patience
- Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth
- Apply masking tape around the damaged area
- Apply the primer and wait until dry
- Apply light coats of the paint, waiting for the paint to dry in between coats, until happy with the finish
- If your kit contains a lacquer, apply this now. Apply a light coating and allow to dry.
Note: If your repair kit doesn’t contain a lacquer, you can choose to purchase it separately.