DIY stamped disk repair

In detail: DIY repair of a stamped disk from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

Hello dear readers and blog visitors Avtoguid.ru Today in the article you can find out how to repair alloy wheels with your own hands without using the services of automotive repair centers.

Image - DIY stamped disk repair

If you wish and have free time, all work on the restoration of alloy wheels can be done on your own without outside help. Casting repair is a great opportunity to return them to their original appearance and save money on specialist services.

It must be remembered that it is not the gods who burn the pots and some work on the repair of the car or its individual units can be done independently. The main thing is to be patient and not rush. Alloy wheels are popular with most of the drivers.

Unlike stamped discs, they are reliable, durable and practical. The use of molding makes it possible to increase the attractiveness of the car's appearance.

Image - DIY stamped disk repair

Initially, without exception, all the wheels of the cars were equipped with stamped disks, the reliability of which raised doubts. They had a low level of quality and could not be used for a significant period of time.

Die-cast car wheels were replaced by alloy wheels, which caused an unprecedented excitement among drivers. Die-cast cars sold out like hotcakes in a hungry year. This is especially true of used, well-worn machines. Even the cost of cars with alloy wheels was higher than similar cars with stamping.

The modern cast wheel is produced using the hot casting method. Metal raw materials are melted at high temperatures to a liquid state and poured into special molds. Undoubtedly, their reliability is higher than that of stamped metal discs, but there are peculiarities of use and operation.

Video (click to play).

Due to the production technology, alloy wheels have one weak side. With sufficiently strong impacts and collisions, their surface is deformed and its integrity is violated. Damage leads to a violation of the geometry of the disc and the appearance of a characteristic runout, giving off to the steering wheel when the car is moving.

Modern machines are equipped with an improved version of forged wheel casting, the production technology of which has undergone improvements. This was done specifically to improve the reliability and durability of the material. When creating a forged disc, the prepared light-alloy material is slightly heated to increase the plasticity of the base and is stamped.

The structure of the material becomes fibrous, which contributes to a significant increase in its strength and reliability. Forged wheels are resistant to various kinds of damage and can be used for a considerable period of time.

Every motorist should remember that the use of a deformed alloy wheel reduces the safety of driving a vehicle several times. It can be the weak link and thus provoke an accident. Periodically, it is necessary to inspect the surface of the alloy wheels, and if damage is found, take immediate measures to eliminate them.

  • damage to paintwork;
  • chips and scratches;
  • axial displacement;
  • cracks;
  • radial displacement;
  • violation of the integrity of the disk.

Image - DIY stamped disk repair

Repair of alloy wheels must be carried out depending on the season. If they are installed on summer tires, then the restoration is carried out in winter. When using molding on winter tires, the repair time for alloy wheels comes in the summer.In principle, everything is clear and understandable.

It must be remembered that all damage to alloy wheels associated with a violation of their geometry or significant deformations can only be performed using special equipment. It is simply impossible to do without the help of competent and qualified specialists.

Other types of damage: chips, scratches and just a violation of the integrity of the surface of the disc can be done independently without assistance. In this case, the use of special equipment and expensive materials is not required.

1. Alloy wheels are freed from rubber and carefully inspected for damage. To simplify the search for defects, the outer and inner sides of the disc must be cleaned of dirt.

2. If cracks are found on the surface of the cast disc, further repair work becomes impossible. Argon welding is used to eliminate cracks. If the disc is with an aluminum or magnesium alloy, special electrodes are used to repair cracks. After eliminating the cracks, you can proceed to the next stage.

3. The place of welding and repair of cracks must be sanded to eliminate the weld.

4. The geometry of the alloy wheel is checked using special equipment. You need to seek help from specialists who will perform diagnostics quickly and for a small amount of money. If it is not violated, the task is noticeably simplified and you can proceed to the next stage.

5. Using emery paper or a grinder, it is necessary to remove all irregularities and roughness on the surface of the disc in places of damage.

6.Epoxy two-component paste, matched to the color of the wheel, is applied evenly over the entire prepared surface of the cast wheel (can be purchased at almost any store selling auto chemistry). It is best to use a special automotive spatula to apply it.

7. A hair dryer can be used to speed up the drying of the epoxy layer.

8. The surface of the cast wheel, treated with epoxy paste, should be sanded using fine-grit sandpaper.


At this point, the main stage of repairing chips, scratches and just minor damage to the alloy wheel is over. You can proceed to painting the surface of the alloy wheels.

Image - DIY stamped disk repair

After the repair of cast disks with your own hands in its main phase is over, you can proceed to the finishing part of the work on restoring the surface of the disk. It is no less important and responsible than the previous types of work. Careless actions can ruin the appearance of the disc, and all efforts will go to waste.

Painting alloy wheels will not only emphasize the individuality of the machine, but also provide effective protection against external adverse factors.

A special automotive primer is used to protect the material from the occurrence of corrosive destructive processes. It should be applied in two or three layers, depending on the degree and depth of damage. Wait until the previous one is dry before applying each primer coat. You can use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.

The prepared surface of the cast disc can be painted. A spray can or spray gun is used. If it is not possible to rent a spray gun, paint cans should be used. The quality of work in this case will be lower than when using the equipment.

For high-quality painting of a cast wheel, it is enough to apply two coats. After applying the first layer of paint, wait until it dries completely. Once the paint is completely dry, the alloy wheels can be reused.

Do not forget that you need to work with paint in a respirator, goggles and rubber gloves. Otherwise, damage to the organs of vision and respiration may result from careless handling of materials. On this, the repair of the car's alloy wheels can be considered completely finished.

There are a large number of reasons causing damage to the surface of an alloy wheel, and they do not always depend on the driving style or the quality of the road surface.

Currently, the following main points can be distinguished regarding the violation of the integrity of the surface of alloy wheels:

Formed when a cast disc hits a deep hole on the road surface at an impressive speed. First of all, discs on low-profile tires suffer. They are the ones who take the brunt.

The radial displacement of the cast disc is reflected by the beating of the steering wheel. A common cause of damage is inattention of the driver and hitting a road stone (curb). This leads to the appearance of a dent on its surface.

When moving, the cast disk writes out "eights". Damage can be caused by a side impact on a curb or by colliding with another vehicle.

Small pebbles, crushed stone and gravel leave their marks on the surface of the cast disc. Of course, they do not deeply destroy the disc, but spoil its appearance.

Do not be afraid to repair alloy wheels with your own hands. There is nothing terrible and difficult in this. The most important thing is to prepare and focus on the quality of work, not speed.

It is not only from unexpected encounters with pits or bumps on the road that wheel rims suffer. They can be easily damaged by pressing against, for example, a high curb. And the reagents that are used to water the capital's roads do not spare the paintwork. But cosmetic flaws are not a big deal. Yes, it is unpleasant and ugly, but you can ride with it. As a last resort, the disc is given for repainting. But if you fly at speed into a hole with sharp edges, the consequences can be much more tragic. You will not only "condemn" the tire, but you will also write off the disk. Especially if it is cast. After all, such a disk has an integral metal structure, and in case of damage it is completely impossible to restore it. But first things first.

Let's start with the least of all evils - the loss of the attractive appearance of the discs. Powder painting can restore its former condition. Before the procedure, the discs are washed with an abrasive cleaning agent and dried. Then the old coating is removed with sandpaper. Degrease the surface with a special solution. The paint is applied with a gun with an electrostatic effect: particles of paint adhere to the disc due to a static charge. Then the disc is placed in a special oven, where it is kept at a temperature of up to 200 ° C to achieve polymerization of the paint. The process takes about 15 minutes.

Discs can also be painted with acrylic paint. Unlike powder, which is based on a dry concentrate, acrylic is liquid. And this greatly simplifies the process. Plus, if the entire discs are coated with powder paint, then with acrylic you can paint part of the surface, apply a certain pattern, for example. It is not necessary to contact professionals for this. Paints are sold in aerosol cans, this allows you to work in a garage.