Wheel Repair
 

So yesterday I was going to do a detail the way the people in the Detailing forum told me.

But before I started I thought I better fix the wheel I had curbed over winter. I was going to print the excellent Tech article that I had read and keep it next to me, but of course I didn't and then made the same mistakes he made.

Anyway, I linked to it below, but the point of it is to use spot Bondo to fill in the scuff, slowly layer it and sand to the proper contour, then prime, paint, clear coat.

So here is the (overexposed) 'before' pic:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/81746/aw01279.2.jpg">

This damage was visible from 10 feet away. I used a small file to bring the edges back in, then filled a thin layer at a time, filed, sanded. The article has the details, but I'll add these notes:

1. Spot Bondo is fine, esp since I used about 2 grams of it max. But it sets up so fast, I think a 2-part compund would work better, even if it meant mixing a teeny amount each time.

2. The Wurth paint does match, but the spray valve on mine was garbage, and I ended up using the valve from the clear coat can after ruining one application. Not good for a can of spray paint that costs about $20. I was told there was a supply problem with Wurth paint; maybe this is part of the reason.

Here's the 'after' pic:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/81746/aw01281.jpg">

I need practice with the camera obviously, but the point is that you have to get down within 6" to see the repair now, and that's fine with me after spending only about $45.<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel.html">AudiWorld Tech Article by NASA Racer - 2002</a></li></ul>

Nice work.

Weird, I did the same thing yesterday
 

Nice work Rich!

My repair didn't turn out as nice as yours did, good work! I can still see evidence of the damage, but it's a hell of a lot better looking than it was before and the casual observer would never see a thing.

I had problems sanding the filler, IMO it's not dense enough, it's almost like a hi-fill primer. One swipe too many with 320 paper and I had to apply more filler and start over. The filler recommends 300-400 grit paper, but I would not suggest anything less than 400.

I also had problems with the paint. It has so much metalic in it it looks like metal flake paint. The spray valve kipt clogging and the can would spit paint instead of spraying. I just figured the heck with it, this wheel is going in my trunk anyway.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/wheel-rep1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/990/wheel-rep2.jpg">

Yea, that's duct tape. I tried painter's tape, but it wouldn't stick. The duct tape came up with no problems on the sidewall, but left a bit of goo on the treads. 3M adhesive remover to the rescue.

What are the odds? And nice job too.

man, i need to do to the same thing. WHere can you get bondo and the Wurth paint???