Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you keep damaging your wheels, and you see people asking on forums how to get things fixed and how much it costs? Well, I can relate because it happened to me again. I got myself some curb brush and damaged those wheels quite a number of times. Instead of constantly paying someone else to fix it, I decided to take matters into my own hands and do it myself.
I figured, why not invest in the tools and do it at home? It doesn’t take that long, the results look acceptable, and the cost is minimal. So, I grabbed my Dremel with an aluminum oxide tip and got to work. The key is to use a very fine grinding wheel and gently smooth out any rough areas while blending it in with the rest of the wheel. It’s important to stay confined to the damaged areas and not go any further.
Once I was happy with the finish, I used a cotton wheel with a white bar specifically for aluminum alloys to give it a final polish. Connecting the wheel to the Dremel, I ran it over the bar until it was nicely covered and then applied it to the metal. Taking my time and going back and forth, I ensured that the surface was clean and free of any residues.
After cleaning it with methylated spirits, I masked off the area I wanted to paint with some painters tape and a drop sheet to protect the surrounding area. Using satin black paint, I applied a few light coats to cover up the damage. While you could apply multiple coats and let it dry in between, I found that one coat was sufficient for my needs.
Normally, I would let it dry completely, but for demonstration purposes, I showed how to speed up the process using a hair dryer or heat gun. Running my fingers over the paint, I could feel that it was still a bit tacky, so I smudged it up a bit to give it a matte finish. And just like that, my wheels looked as good as new.
Taking matters into my own hands and learning how to fix my damaged wheels not only saved me money but also gave me a sense of accomplishment. So, the next time you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t be afraid to try DIY solutions. Who knows, you might discover a new skill and save yourself some cash in the process.
