Rim Repair Tips
Before you start any rim repair on your car, stop and take some time to read the blog post of New Liberty Tires and Wash LLC on the right and safe way to do it.
Step 1
First, you will need to jack up your car to remove the wheel, as some auto repair shops will not touch steel rims, as most times replacement wheels will be cheaper.
Step 2
Remove the air from the tire, and remember you should never re-use the valve stem. Buy a new one instead.
Step 3
Lay the tire/wheel flat on the ground. Step on each side of the outer edges of the tire. Bounce up and down, or even jump, to break the tire/wheel bead.
Step 4
Remove the tire from the rim and inspect the damage. A steel rim that is bent at the outer edge can often be repaired fairly easily. However, any damage to the inner part can be trickier, and even dangerous, to repair. So always get a professional opinion regarding the degree of damage when you are unsure. Aluminum wheels, even though they can be repaired, are often prone to cracking when the bend is severe.
Step 5
Place the wheel on a heat-resistant surface, and when possible secure with a vice. Using a propane torch heat the damaged area on the rim. Again, this is easy with steel wheels, however, aluminum wheels are prone to discoloring when heated, more so with alloy wheels as they contain magnesium. So we advise you to get a professional to perform rim repair on aluminum wheel.
Step 7
Heat the steel for around 60 seconds you will see the rim becoming flat, almost flaky in color. Depending on the severity and where the damage is, use a hammer, channels locks or pliers to help bend the edge of the rim back into its original shape. You may have to start with a hammer, re-heat and finish the process with some pliers.
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