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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Q&A on straightening and filling repairs for alloy wheels
Q. I am seeking some education, advice, training resources, etc., in the art of Alloy Wheel refinishing.
I have recently realized a business opportunity in my home town and would like to return there, and start my own business refinishing alloy wheels.
I have 7 years service advisor experience at a BMW Dealership. So I am familiar with general automotive knowledge. I do not, however, have the expertise in refinishing metals. I've spoken with a local vendor that does this work for our dealership, and he's given me a very general idea of how he does this work, but is reluctant to give me any specifics on how it's actually done -- what materials would be needed, and those sorts of things.
I understand the basic process is: Clean the wheel, strip the wheel repair/fill/weld the wheel, re-coat it, re-spray it, and then clear it.
My questions are these:
What is the material used to fill in the chunks that have been "curbed" away?
What machine or hand tool is used to reshape the filled parts to make the overall shape of the wheel new again?
What product, guide, or resource is used to match the OE paint?
What type of supplier or retailer can I go to obtain these products.
The vendor that does this for our dealership is works out of a 6 X 13 ft trailer towed behind his truck. I know he has a tire machine for removal and remounting of tires. I imagine he'd also need a generator, air compressor
[adv: air compressors on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links] , possibly a welder, or lathe.
I understand that my question is vague, and any reply at all would be very much appreciated. I don't know where to seek the information the I need, and Finishing.com seems like a great source.
Thank you in advance.
Automotive repair - Seattle, Washington, USA
A. I was watching an infomercial on TV a few years ago where they had this low melting metal that could fill in almost anything. It stuck to aluminum boats, pump housings, etc. Then it could be filed or sanded into shape.
Contact the largest paint manufacturers for info on the paint used on wheels. The hint that someone is doing this out of a trailer indicates that you don't need too much equipment, but you will need to have artistic talent.
Best wishes,
Tom Pullizzi
Falls Township, Pennsylvania
2005
A. Hi,
It is a myth nobody likes anybody to know how we do repairs. I have been doing wheels for 16 years now, mobile and static service, and I can tell you that there is a difference when doing wheels mobile: you want a quick repair so that you are on to your next job. First, you cannot weld alloy from a static vehicle because you need 3 phase, second my straightening and lathe machine weighs about 600 kgs. But foremost, if you are thinking of setting up your own business, go for mobile: you will earn far more from mobile than static because of low overheads.
alloy wheel refurbishment - Scunthorpe, UK
2007
A. Don't weld alloy wheels because a first class repair will cost more than a new wheel. Why? Because you have to do a spectrographic analysis of the wheel so you can match the weld filler rod. The wheel has to be non-destructively tested before and after by an expert. The welder has to be certified. The wheel has to be stamped so that in the event of a crash caused by the failure of the weld your solicitor can get the full records of the repair. Sounds complicated? This is only the beginning...
Dr. Clive Cookson- republic of Ireland
November 29, 2008
|
Thanks, Dr. C.! It sounds like Ireland suffers an even more debilitating infestation of lawyers than the USA. I was still suffering the tension of recently driving hundreds of miles on the narrow winding roads of Ireland with their rough & rock-strewn shoulders, loose sheep around every third bend, oncoming drivers approaching at frightening speeds, and the rampant reckless blind passing. We got a tack in a tire and were billed hundreds of dollars by the auto rental company which claimed it is illegal to repair a simple tire puncture; they are routine here and cost about $7. The idea that the appropriate corrective action to improve road safety in Ireland is to have multiple expert witnesses spectrographically inspect and certify wheel welds sent me rolling on the floor, and my tension is gone! :-) Regards,  Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey November 30, 2008 |
Q. HERE IS MY QUESTION: MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AND SOMETHING HIT THE INSIDE WHEEL OF THE TRUCK THAT FLATTENED THE WHEEL OF THE TIRE, BUT WORSE, SPLIT THE INSIDE OF OUR BRAND NEW RIMS THAT WE JUST BOUGHT THREE DAYS AGO. NOW MY HUSBAND FEELS LIKE ONE OF OUR CHILDREN JUST GOT HIT BY A CAR. I THINK IT IS A MAN THING. ANYWAY WE ARE STUCK WHAT TO DO?
JACKIE R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- QUEENS, NEW YORK, USA
2003
RFQ: I am trying to locate a straightening machine for mag wheels that are bent on the edges.
Georges F [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- St-Hubert, Quebec, Canada
2002
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
RFQ: I need a Rim straightening Machine for mag rims can you help me with the cost and a picture?
Amanda G [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]tires, car care - Marabella, Trinidad
2007
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
A. We sell many models of rim and wheel straightening machines.
Robert Metz - Allstate's Of America, Inc. - Miami, Florida2006
2006
A. Yes that's true that all kinds of rims are corrected / straightened by use of appropriate equipment. We are a manufacturer and exporter of HYDRAULIC RIM STRAIGHTENING MACHINES.
Regards,
A. We are a worldwide supplier for professional wheel straightening equipments.
Berk Sernikli - SIMPA AUTO SERVICE EQUIPMENTS - Sakarya, TurkeyMay 13, 2009
A. Apparently there are shops who claim that 95 percent of damaged wheels are repairable. It appears that some skilled wheels repairers also cobble together their own proprietary rigs which include a mounting platform similar to what is used for changing a tire, hydraulic jacks rigged up to custom made clamps & jigs to do the bending, and a series of dial indicators to measure progress. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
RFQ: I'M TRYING TO LOCATE A LATHE TO REFINISH ALUMINUM AND ALLOY WHEELS. I CURRENTLY DO CURB DAMAGE WHEEL REPAIR ON A MOBILE BASIS. BUT AM TRYING TO GET INTO TOTAL RESTORATION. I FOUND ONE MACHINE (WAGNER PROFILER 24) BUT NO ONE HAS IT. ANY HELP OR SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANK YOU,
Todd L [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Ohio
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ is old & outdated, so contact info is no longer available. However, if you feel that something technical should be said in reply, please post it; no public commercial suggestions please ( huh? why?)
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