If an aluminum rim becomes damaged, Can an aluminum rim be repaired the first thought may be to repair it right away but there are a few factors to consider first. First off would be determining whether the structural integrity of the rim has been compromised, the next is determining the type of damage the rim has, and then finally getting the necessary tools in order to fix the rim. It is important to keep in mind that some damages are too extensive to fix.
First and foremost, you can indeed fix an aluminum rim in some cases, however, you must determine the type of damage you are trying to repair. For example, damage is usually considered a bend, crack, or corrosion.
Types of Damage in an Aluminum Rim
Bending is a pretty straightforward type of damage and happens when there is any type of bend in the rim. If it is only a slight blend, chances are the rim is fixable with some high heat and a tech. However, if it is a major bend that can potentially crack you will definitely need a new rim for your safety.
A crack in your rim can also be dangerous depending on the depth and size of the crack. If the crack is slight the problem can be repaired with the right technician and tools. However, once again, if this is a large crack in the rim you are safer to replace the part.
Lastly, corrosion can cause damage to your aluminum rims. Corrosion is mostly due to the elements combined with not enough preventative upkeep on the vehicle. For instance, rust and salt from the roads can cause corrosion. However, this can mostly be prevented by routine car washes.
Materials in Aluminum Rims
You may think that the material used to make your rims are not important when it comes to repair, but this is not the case. Different materials have different compositions making them harder or softer which can either make the repairs easier or more difficult.
Alloy rims are the most common and are typically a softer metal. This means they are easily bendable which can be easier to fix with minor bends and cracks. On the opposite side of the spectrum is titanium. This is a thicker, more sturdy medal that can be pretty resilient to bends, but with that being said, this material can also be more difficult to repair.
Tools Needed to Repair Aluminum Rims
Different tools are needed to repair different types of damage on your aluminum rims. If you are able to, of course, bringing your vehicle to the shop to get fixed would be the best option. However, there are some tools to help you repair the damage yourself.
If you have a light scuff or your rim is just starting to corrode you can simply use a light sandpaper and some gloss paint. If you have a crack in the rim that is not too severe, you can weld the crack together. Just ensure you have safety goggles and watch a few tutorials before doing so.
A bend in the most difficult damage to repair on your own because the rim could potentially break while attempting to fix the problem. For example, if you try to bend back the rim with heat you may ruin the structural integrity of the rim. This is why is it crucial to do research before attempting this. If the bend is too much your best bet would be to replace the rim altogether.
Conclusion
Most of the small damages done Can an aluminum rim be repaired with the proper tools or by having a tech do the work. However, in other cases the best option would be to replace the rim for your safety. Always be sure to check with a garage prior to fixing anything to ensure you remain safe.
