Repair alloy rims yourself - we'll show you how it's done!

Reading time 8 Min.

Recently updated on September 26, 2023 at 01:14 am

[Update: 26.09.2023] This post was updatedto take more recent information into account. As beautiful as they are - alloy wheels are quickly damaged: Be it a small tour into the terrain, grit and split or the well-known curb. Such scratches are unsightly, but we can reassure you. If the damage is not too great, they can be repaired relatively easily on your own. Therefore, in the following article we would like to provide you with step-by-step instructions and a few videos that you can use to repair your alloy wheels. In addition, the legal framework for repairs clarified.

Overview of the topics

Who is only interested in very specific areas around the topic Rim repair interested, you can use the following jump labels to navigate directly to the desired topic with just one click. And just as quickly you can return to this overview from the selected menu item with just one click. We of course recommend our readers to read the entire article. Some menu items are only really comprehensible once the full info article has been read.

• Can I repair my alloy wheels?
• Repairing rims yourself or going to the workshop?
• Repair after damage from the curb.
• The repair of aluminum rims using repair kits.
• What does such a repair kit contain?
• Where can I have alloy rims repaired?
• What does it cost to repair aluminum rims?
• More tutorial videos on rim repair!

Can I repair my alloy wheels?

AND! Basically the elimination optical defects allowed. Examples of this are sanding, polishing, rounding notches, filling or painting scratches in the base metal are not deeper than 1 mm. You are of course always on the safe side in a qualified workshop in which the aluminum rims are manufactured using the "WheelDoctor“can be treated. This is a so-called rotational grinding process that does not affect the operational stability of your rims. This means that sufficient safety in road traffic is still guaranteed. However, there are also a few things that are not allowed.

Repairing rims yourself or going to the workshop?

These include, for example Deformations, Heat treatments, welding and other interventions that affect the structure of the material. Put simply, it can be said that the repairs just mentioned are permitted, but the subsequent use of the affected rims in road traffic verboten. That's why you should definitely buy new rims in the event of severe damage to be on the safe side. (Back to overview)

It depends on several factors, such as how badly the rim is damaged. Besides, yours is also self-assessment crucial in terms of your skills and knowledge: Are you sure about the condition of the rim and are you confident enough to carry out the repair? If not, you should leave the repair to a specialist workshop. They can also use special procedures to thoroughly examine the rim for deeper damage to the material. Although it is always cheaper to do repairs yourself, safety should definitely not be overlooked!

But if you know the type of damage, for example from a slight brushing on the curb, from possibly falling over when changing a tire or from slipping with the wheel cross, then nothing stands in the way of repairing it yourself. Ultimately, with such damage you can rule out deep defects in the material. If you are confident enough to do the repair yourself, we have instructions and 1-2 videos for you next. (Back to overview)

Repair after damage caused by the curb!

• Step 1:: Preparation of the alloy wheels
  - Regardless of the damage, the aluminum rim should first be cleaned thoroughly before the repair. The reason for this is that you can assess the damage without the view being made difficult by various types of dirt. Here it makes sense to dismantle the wheels. Furthermore, all areas that should not come into contact with sandpaper should be taped on.
• Step 2: Sanding the alloy rims
  - Now it's a matter of removing the damage. If there are rough cracks and scratches, they can easily be sanded smooth again with an electric grinder. However, you should be careful not to sand too much, but rather to proceed carefully, flat and slowly. You can then use the appropriate sandpaper (different grain sizes from e.g. 80 to 800) the finer scratches are removed, whereby you should work your way from coarse to fine. Finally, it is important to clean the rim again so that it is free of grinding dust.
• Step 3: Polishing and Painting the alloy rims
  Once the rim has been properly cleaned and degreased again, it can be freshly painted. Depending on the rim, the vehicle and the manufacturer of the paint, the procedure can vary. As a rule, you should use a primer and only then apply the actual paint. However, you can usually find corresponding instructions from the paint provider. You should also study the instructions for the paintwork regarding drying out and any subsequent polishing to remove dust inclusions. (Back to overview)

The repair of aluminum rims using repair kits

So-called repair kits save a lot of work and time, because you get an "all-round carefree package", so to speak. This means that only one set has to be bought in order to have all the necessary utensils for the repair. However, this method is only suitable for repairing individual damage to the rim. This is also referred to as a smart repair or a spot repair process. It should also be noted that this type of repair cannot be used on chrome rims, compacted rims, or polished or polished rims. Rims with such a special surface should usually be repaired by a specialist. For example, in order to be able to let a front-polished aluminum rim shine again in its old shine, the surface must be slightly turned off with a special machine and then re-sealed (with clear lacquer).

This step is almost impossible to carry out by a layperson without specialist knowledge and without the appropriate tools. Especially when it comes to keeping the removal of material within the legally correct framework. And even when repairing a “normal rim” yourself using conventional vehicle paint, you should always keep in mind that visual differences can occur compared to a professional repair/painting. For example, if you only treat the damaged area plus/minus a few centimeters around it, a color difference will usually always remain visible. (Back to overview)

What does such a repair kit contain?

In addition to sandpaper from coarse to fine, a repair kit usually also contains repair compound, a spatula, a brush, varnish or a touch-up pencil, cleaning accessories and protective gloves. After the rims have been sanded and cleaned, the repair compound is pressed into the crack or scratch. It is also a good idea to model the rim edge with the repair compound. Then you sand the rim smoothly and then the point of damage is processed with a brush and varnish or with a touch-up pen. (Back to overview)

Where can I have alloy rims repaired?

If you don't want to or can't carry out the repair yourself, it can of course also be done in a specialist workshop. This costs more, but you can expect a professionally carried out repair with perfect results. Here you should make sure that the workshop offers a TÜV-tested procedure for repairing your aluminum rims. If there are only light scratches on the surface, any paint shop can usually prepare the rim properly. If the damage is more severe or the exact extent of the damage is not known, you should visit a specialist workshop for rim repair. (Back to overview)

What does it cost to repair aluminum rims?

Here, too, the specific price depends on the condition of the rim and also on the method chosen. While the smart repair method is cheaper, repairs that may even require welding (which, as already mentioned, is not allowed), significantly more expensive and in the mid three-digit range. The rim also usually has to be completely painted, which costs an additional 50 to 100 euros. In addition, any necessary checking for correct concentricity is added.

As you can see, it is quite difficult to estimate the exact costs, which is why it is best to get a cost estimate from the relevant workshop. In summary, it can be said that repairing aluminum rims can easily be carried out by yourself if you have the appropriate knowledge and skill. Otherwise, it is recommended to visit a qualified workshop. Especially when it comes to high-quality rims costing several thousand euros, you should always leave the repair to a specialist workshop. (Back to overview)

More tutorial videos and information about rim repair!

(Back to overview)

Alloy wheel repair: What you need to know

Alloy wheels are a popular accessory for many vehicles, but they are also susceptible to damage. Whether due to contact with a curb, potholes or other accidents, the question is often: Can the rim still be saved?

Can you repair damaged aluminum rims?

Yes, small scratches or abrasions Aluminum rims can often be repaired yourself. There are special ones for this Rim repair sets for DIY rim repair. However, if there is deeper damage or if you are unsure, it is advisable to consult a specialist.

Curb damage: These are common and mostly superficial. Such damage usually does not require replacement, but can still look unsightly. self repair: As long as the scratches or nicks are not deeper than a millimeter and no further than 50 millimeters are away from the edge of the rim, you can repair the rims yourself. This includes sanding, polishing, filling and repainting the rim. When does a rim need to be replaced? The cracking The rim must be replaced immediately in order not to endanger road safety.

Elevation: A runout in the rim affects the handling and can cause the steering wheel to shake. In the long term, this can also damage the chassis. Driving with a flat tire: If your tire is flat, you should not do more than a few hundred meters continue driving at a speed of 20 to 30 km / h do not exceed.

Fill aluminum: If the aluminum sheet is not punctured, the damaged area can, under certain circumstances, be filled and repainted. A special one is used for this Aluminum filler .

Conclusion:

Repairing aluminum rims is often possible and can be carried out by yourself or by professionals. It is important to identify the damage early and act appropriately to ensure the safety and aesthetics of your vehicle. And so that you can enjoy the rims for a long time, you should have one rim sealant applied to protect the surface. It is worth taking a look at our guide. So far so good! But what if the steering wheel vibrates suddenly when accelerating or braking? What if the whole vehicle shakes and you have no idea where the imbalance is coming from? Then maybe our contribution on the topic "Car vibrates or wobbles while driving - why?"!

Of course that had not happened yet!

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