Alloy wheel refurb
Discussion
I'm looking to have a bash at DIY alloy refurb; but putting more of an effort into it this time as they're to be the main summer set of alloys for summer tyres (whereas my winter set simply got sanded, primed and painted and curbing left as it was etc)
I've got paint stripper etc; but I'm looking for is for specific sanding/grinding tools to take the curbing marks right back and smoothing the edges of the rims/curbed areas off.
Are there any electrical tools to do this; as currently all I can seem to find are air powered 90º sanding tools (50mm discs/pads etc)?
I do have access to an air compressor; father in law has one that rarely gets used, so it won't be missed for a week or so etc...
Also; any suggestions for the right filler to use to smooth off larger marks/scrapes?
At the end of the day if they're not right I'll take them to where I've had previous wheels refurbed and powder coated; but really fancy having a bash at it myself first
Cheers
I've got paint stripper etc; but I'm looking for is for specific sanding/grinding tools to take the curbing marks right back and smoothing the edges of the rims/curbed areas off.
Are there any electrical tools to do this; as currently all I can seem to find are air powered 90º sanding tools (50mm discs/pads etc)?
I do have access to an air compressor; father in law has one that rarely gets used, so it won't be missed for a week or so etc...
Also; any suggestions for the right filler to use to smooth off larger marks/scrapes?
At the end of the day if they're not right I'll take them to where I've had previous wheels refurbed and powder coated; but really fancy having a bash at it myself first
Cheers
Unless it's a big one - 14cfm min - you're wasting your time with high consumption air sanders/grinders.
One of the electric oscillating tools such as a Fein Multimaster using the triangular backers & velcro backed abrasive paper of appropriate grades is probably going to be your best bet. I've got one & very good it is too for any number of jobs incl minor alloy repairs.
You can get cheaper DIY finger sanders but they don't last.
You may be better filling the damage rather then just sanding off lots esp with deep scuffs.
You can get filler specifically for alloys. Apply the gel then spray with the hardener. Sand smooth. Used it & it works.
e.g https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/preparation/adhe...
You can also get Isopon alloy filler. Never used it so no idea how good it is.
e.g https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-...
Aerosol paints or spraygun applied bodyshop type? Latter normally basecoat colour with 2k clear so you will need a spraygun.
If you haven't got the above tools then you may well be better off saving your money & having the wheels fully refurbed professionally.
If your alloys are diamond cut then just go for the pro option.
One of the electric oscillating tools such as a Fein Multimaster using the triangular backers & velcro backed abrasive paper of appropriate grades is probably going to be your best bet. I've got one & very good it is too for any number of jobs incl minor alloy repairs.
You can get cheaper DIY finger sanders but they don't last.
You may be better filling the damage rather then just sanding off lots esp with deep scuffs.
You can get filler specifically for alloys. Apply the gel then spray with the hardener. Sand smooth. Used it & it works.
e.g https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/preparation/adhe...
You can also get Isopon alloy filler. Never used it so no idea how good it is.
e.g https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-...
Aerosol paints or spraygun applied bodyshop type? Latter normally basecoat colour with 2k clear so you will need a spraygun.
If you haven't got the above tools then you may well be better off saving your money & having the wheels fully refurbed professionally.
If your alloys are diamond cut then just go for the pro option.
Edited by paintman on Thursday 7th January 14:12
paintman said:
Unless it's a big one - 14cfm min - you're wasting your time with high consumption air sanders/grinders.
One of the electric oscillating tools such as a Fein Multimaster using the triangular backers & velcro backed abrasive paper of appropriate grades is probably going to be your best bet. I've got one & very good it is too for any number of jobs incl minor alloy repairs.
You can get cheaper DIY finger sanders but they don't last.
You may be better filling the damage rather then just sanding off lots esp with deep scuffs.
You can get filler specifically for alloys. Apply the gel then spray with the hardener. Sand smooth. Used it & it works.
e.g https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/preparation/adhe...
You can also get Isopon alloy filler. Never used it so no idea how good it is.
e.g https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-...
Aerosol paints or spraygun applied bodyshop type? Latter normally basecoat colour with 2k clear so you will need a spraygun.
If you haven't got the above tools then you may well be better off saving your money & having the wheels fully refurbed professionally.
If your alloys are diamond cut then just go for the pro option.
Super; thanks for thatOne of the electric oscillating tools such as a Fein Multimaster using the triangular backers & velcro backed abrasive paper of appropriate grades is probably going to be your best bet. I've got one & very good it is too for any number of jobs incl minor alloy repairs.
You can get cheaper DIY finger sanders but they don't last.
You may be better filling the damage rather then just sanding off lots esp with deep scuffs.
You can get filler specifically for alloys. Apply the gel then spray with the hardener. Sand smooth. Used it & it works.
e.g https://www.spraygunsdirect.co.uk/preparation/adhe...
You can also get Isopon alloy filler. Never used it so no idea how good it is.
e.g https://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints-and-body-...
Aerosol paints or spraygun applied bodyshop type? Latter normally basecoat colour with 2k clear so you will need a spraygun.
If you haven't got the above tools then you may well be better off saving your money & having the wheels fully refurbed professionally.
If your alloys are diamond cut then just go for the pro option.
Edited by paintman on Thursday 7th January 14:12
Already have an oscillating multi tool; so will give it a go with that and see how I get on
Tanks re the filler too; will order some of that in As said; just fancy giving them a go DIY first and see how I get on.
If it's a no go; they'll get professionally done
Literally had mine done professionally yesterday.
The place I used are quite well known and locally very well known for their quality.
Great job, however costs suddenly rocketed when they called to tell me that 2 wheels had lots of filler and would need welding. That added £200 to the job which made my eyes water but they said they couldnt do it properly otherwise. Hmm.
However, my wifes car which is old and not worthy of a pro job will be done in the summer at home. Ive used the isopon filler on some bodywork and it was very good, dried very, very fast. I plan to leave them on the car, dremel the nasty bits, fill, dremal, mask up and spray one by one off the car.
I assume standard Halfords spray paint will do the job? They dont get mega hot do they?
The place I used are quite well known and locally very well known for their quality.
Great job, however costs suddenly rocketed when they called to tell me that 2 wheels had lots of filler and would need welding. That added £200 to the job which made my eyes water but they said they couldnt do it properly otherwise. Hmm.
However, my wifes car which is old and not worthy of a pro job will be done in the summer at home. Ive used the isopon filler on some bodywork and it was very good, dried very, very fast. I plan to leave them on the car, dremel the nasty bits, fill, dremal, mask up and spray one by one off the car.
I assume standard Halfords spray paint will do the job? They dont get mega hot do they?
8-P said:
Literally had mine done professionally yesterday.
The place I used are quite well known and locally very well known for their quality.
Great job, however costs suddenly rocketed when they called to tell me that 2 wheels had lots of filler and would need welding. That added £200 to the job which made my eyes water but they said they couldnt do it properly otherwise. Hmm.
However, my wifes car which is old and not worthy of a pro job will be done in the summer at home. Ive used the isopon filler on some bodywork and it was very good, dried very, very fast. I plan to leave them on the car, dremel the nasty bits, fill, dremal, mask up and spray one by one off the car.
I assume standard Halfords spray paint will do the job? They dont get mega hot do they?
Yes. Main issue with aerosols is they can spit lumps at inopportune moments.. The place I used are quite well known and locally very well known for their quality.
Great job, however costs suddenly rocketed when they called to tell me that 2 wheels had lots of filler and would need welding. That added £200 to the job which made my eyes water but they said they couldnt do it properly otherwise. Hmm.
However, my wifes car which is old and not worthy of a pro job will be done in the summer at home. Ive used the isopon filler on some bodywork and it was very good, dried very, very fast. I plan to leave them on the car, dremel the nasty bits, fill, dremal, mask up and spray one by one off the car.
I assume standard Halfords spray paint will do the job? They dont get mega hot do they?
They benefit from being warmed.
Don't try & apply in thick coats, it will run or sag & if metallic (esp silvers) the metallic element will sink - it's aluminium - & will then look dark.
8-P said:
Literally had mine done professionally yesterday.
The place I used are quite well known and locally very well known for their quality.
Great job, however costs suddenly rocketed when they called to tell me that 2 wheels had lots of filler and would need welding. That added £200 to the job which made my eyes water but they said they couldnt do it properly otherwise. Hmm.
However, my wifes car which is old and not worthy of a pro job will be done in the summer at home. Ive used the isopon filler on some bodywork and it was very good, dried very, very fast. I plan to leave them on the car, dremel the nasty bits, fill, dremal, mask up and spray one by one off the car.
I assume standard Halfords spray paint will do the job? They dont get mega hot do they?
That's all I did with my winters; but didn't even do the filling part as they're run over winter only etc. Plus as they're in gunmetal grey, you can hardly see the damage to them unless up close The place I used are quite well known and locally very well known for their quality.
Great job, however costs suddenly rocketed when they called to tell me that 2 wheels had lots of filler and would need welding. That added £200 to the job which made my eyes water but they said they couldnt do it properly otherwise. Hmm.
However, my wifes car which is old and not worthy of a pro job will be done in the summer at home. Ive used the isopon filler on some bodywork and it was very good, dried very, very fast. I plan to leave them on the car, dremel the nasty bits, fill, dremal, mask up and spray one by one off the car.
I assume standard Halfords spray paint will do the job? They dont get mega hot do they?
I used Hycote rattle cans and made sure that they were well warmed in the sun before I used them; so warming them up is paramount IMO
Only one alloy got a run in it; just sods law, but doesn't bother me and it's on the inside of one of the spokes, so can't really be seen
Sanding them, scotch padding them, then washing them and letting them dry properly and then using panel wipe, then tack cloths, is key to a decent finish I found
Then a few light layers pf primer; a few light layers of paint and then 3-4 layers of lacquer was used and IMO, for a rough, home DIY refurb, they're fine
I'll be putting a lot more effort into the summers; I'll do one and if I'm not happy; they'll go to the pro alloy refurber local to me
This crowd do pretty much all the consumables you will need, fillers, discs, tapes, panel wipes, primers, paints and lacquers.
They also do a huge range of colours in aerosol cans.
www.alloypaints.com
They also do a huge range of colours in aerosol cans.
www.alloypaints.com
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