Alloy wheels are now dominating the automobile industry. Their aesthetic appeal, lightweight, and superior performance make it an indispensable choice for vehicles. However, these wheels too are vulnerable to damage. At Semicolonproject, you can expect the best solution for alloy wheel repair regardless of the type of issue. Here is how our professionals restore alloy wheels to attain their previous form.
Initial assessment and damage analysis
When a client visits us, we entrust them with our experienced technician. He commences by carefully inspecting the damaged wheel. The technician takes some time to estimate the type of damage which can be in the form of surface-level scuffs, bent rims, or cracks. We have the best tools like digital scanners and precision gauges to evaluate the alignment of the wheel, its roundness, and most importantly its overall integrity.
After the initial assessment, our professional will let you know if the wheel is repairable or if replacement is the only option. We prioritize transparent communication with clients which lets them understand the evaluation report and act on the suggested solutions.
Preparing the repair work
Once the client is satisfied with our findings and asks us to do the needful, we begin the repair work which involves a series of steps:
- Cleaning: A person will thoroughly clean the wheel to get rid of dirt, grease, and brake dust.
- Stripping old coatings: Often, we notice wheels have old paint, lacquer, or coatings on them. We take full care of stripping them away using specialized chemical solutions. Sometimes, if necessary, we also make use of sandblasting. The goal is to expose the metal to facilitate the repair work.
- Straightening and other structural repairs
- In the case of bent rims, our experienced technicians will use hydraulic presses or wheel straightening machines to restore the shape of the wheel. They know the amount of pressure to apply which will lead the wheel to realign without affecting the structural integrity.
- When dealing with cracks, we mostly prefer welding. We use Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) for welding which is known for its strength. After the affected area is repaired we then ground and polish it to match the rest of the wheel.
Filling and sanding
Cosmetic damages in the wheels or rims are our next focus. We apply specialized fillers to smoothen the damaged areas. We have the best-quality fillers which bond exceptionally well with alloy materials and lead to a durable finish, following that, we leave it for some time. As the filler sets, we sand the wheeler to get a smooth surface. Based on the requirements we make use of different grades of sandpaper.
Recoating and refinishing
Now, it is time to begin one of the critical steps in alloy wheel repair, i.e. recoating and refinishing. It helps the wheel to get back its aesthetic appeal, and additionally, it also provides protection against corrosion and environmental damage. Here are the steps we usually follow:
- Primer: Our professionals apply primer to the repaired wheel which ensures better adhesion of the paint.
- Painting: With the help of the latest spray guns or powder coating we apply the best quality paint in the color as desired by our clients.
- Lacquering: We also insist on applying a layer of clear lacquer which further enhances the shine of the alloy wheels and offers it protection from various aspects.
- For our clients, we also have the option of computer-matched color systems. It helps them to understand how the wheels will look once they are repaired.
Final inspection
Now, that the repair job is over, we take a final test of the wheel to ensure quality and safety. The aspects we check thoroughly are:
- Appropriate alignment and balance.
- Efficient blending of the repaired area.
- Imperfections in the paint or finished paintwork.
- Balancing test for the wheel with the help of specialized tools.
Reinstallation
After the completion of the repair process, we reinstall the wheel on the vehicle. Our professionals keep track of all the work they do during repair and provide a detailed explanation to our esteemed clients. For us, customer satisfaction is a priority before anything else. We do not feel content until our clients are happy with the results.