How to Repair Wheel Rims

Wheel rims are essential to the functionality of a vehicle. If a wheel is damaged to the point where it is cracked, a tire can not stay inflated. If a cosmetic scuff is torturing the owner's soul due to the overzealous need for cosmetic perfection of a vehicle, the fix can prove simple. Alloy rims do not rust and are fairly easy to fix. With the right research and materials, an owner can once again become the proud owner of a perfect rim. Many people would rather take the rim to a professional to get the same result; but people on a budget seem to have no issues with repairing the scuff themselves.

1. First: Clean the wheel

   Using a grease-dissolving liquid, hot water and a scrub brush, clean the wheel thoroughly. Dirt and polish on the rim do not hold the fixing material well and can compromise the effectiveness of the repair.

2. Second: Place masking tape around the damaged area

   Masking tape prevents any unnecessary putty and/or paint residue from accruing. Next, take a feather grit sandpaper, and gently buff the damaged area and the immediate area around the damage. Excessive sanding can only make more work.

3. Third: Putty the damaged area

   Carefully apply Bondo Spot Putty to the damaged area. The putty should only take a few minutes to dry.

4. Fourth: Sand and primer

   Once the putty has dried, take a very light sandpaper, and sand down the dried putty until the surface looks and feels even with the original rim. Multiple applications of putty may become necessary. After the surface is smooth, prime the rim to prepare it for painting..

5. Fifth: Cover and paint

   Cover the vehicle with a sheet or tarp to ensure that the vehicle does not acquire random spots of metallic paint. Carefully paint the sanded and puttyed area. Allow three to five hours to dry.