How to Refurbish Alloy Wheels
Alloy wheels can easily become an eyesore when they have not been taken care of. Weather conditions and other sources can contribute as well. The damage can take away from the look of the vehicle. It is much cheaper to refurbish them than purchasing new ones.
Items Needed:
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Mild liquid dish detergent
- Scrub brush with plastic bristles
- 80-grit sandpaper
- 800-grit sandpaper
- 1200-grit sandpaper
- Putty knife
- Flexi filler
- Primer
- Paint
- Clear coat lacquer
- Fill a bucket with 1 gallon warm water. Add 2 tablespoons mild liquid dish detergent. Cleaning the alloy wheels will remove any dirt and create a good foundation for the paint to adhere to.
- Dip a scrub brush with plastic bristles into the cleaning solution. Clean the alloy wheels thoroughly with the brush and cleaning solution. Rinse the wheels with clean water from a garden hose.
- Use 80-grit sandpaper to sand the wheels. Apply circular motions and light pressure as you sand the wheels.
- Use clean water and a cloth to remove any sanding particles. Make sure all of the particles are removed so they will not show under the paint.
- Allow the wheels to completely dry. Look for any dents or cracks. Use a putty knife to fill the dents or cracks with flexi filler. Smooth the filler with the putty knife. Allow the filler to set for one hour.
- Sand the filler with 80-grit sandpaper. Make sure the filler is even and smooth. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and allow the area to completely dry.
- Coat the wheels with primer. Allow the primer to dry and lightly sand the surface with 800-grit sandpaper. Wipe the wheels with a damp cloth and allow them to dry. Repeat this step one time.
- Apply three coats of paint to the alloy wheels. After each coat is applied, allow it to dry, lightly sand the surface with 1200-grit sandpaper, wipe the wheels with a damp cloth and allow the surface to dry.
- Coat the wheels with clear coat lacquer. Allow the alloy wheels to completely dry before using the vehicle.