How To Remove Scratches From Alloy Wheels

Scratched alloy wheels are a common problem.

Your alloy wheels can look dull with scratches, dents, and curb rash.

There are many ways in which your alloy wheels can get scratched, from small scrapes to significant dents.

You might think that once the damage is this extensive you might as well just buy new ones.

But don’t throw in the towel just yet! It is possible to repair these scratches and dents, and you will be amazed at how good they look afterward.

There are a number of different methods that you can use to remove the scratches from your wheels, as well as some preventative measures that you can take to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Here, I will detail a few of these methods so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

How To Remove Scratches From Alloy Wheels

Commonly used methods for removing scratches from alloy rims are:

• Cleaning
• Buffing
• Sanding
• Polishing

Before you start repairing the scratches, you should take a close look at them to determine the level of damage.

Scratches can vary significantly in size, with some only being a few millimeters long and others reaching several centimeters.

You should also inspect the wheels for dents; if the damage is extensive then you may want to consider replacing the wheels.

However, if the scratches and dents are minor, then they can be removed with a bit of effort.

Before you start fixing your rims, make sure they’re dry and clean.

Clean it with a mild cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

Wash the rims with paint thinner again after the first wash.

Soak a cloth in paint thinner and rub it all over the rims.

Ideally, it will break down dust, dirt, and debris.

Keep an eye out for dents and scratches while cleaning the wheels.

Dry your rims with a lint-free cloth or let them air dry.

To prevent any further damage, apply masking tape to the surrounding area of the scratched wheel.

This will help protect the alloy from any additional damage caused by sanding or polishing.

Sand scratch and dent edges with 240-grit sandpaper.

Rub your sandpaper gently over the damaged area until it’s smooth.

Remove the residue with a damp microfiber cloth.

Patch up scratches and dents with metal-reinforced spot putty.

Scrape a piece of putty out with a putty knife.

Spread it around with a putty knife on the damaged area.

By applying consistent pressure, every scratch and dent will be filled in.

After that, smooth the putty with your fingers.

It usually takes two hours for the putty to dry.

When the spot putty is completely dry, smooth out any raised areas with 400-grit sandpaper.

Sand the raised areas until they look level with the rest of the rim by rubbing your sandpaper back and forth over them.

Put on goggles, gloves, and a respirator before applying primer or spray paint.

Inhaling paint and primer is dangerous, so you need the right safety gear.

Use tape and kraft paper to cover the parts you aren’t painting.

Make sure only the previously damaged areas are uncovered.

You don’t have to paint the whole rim.

Stand about 6 inches away from the rim and spray a metal alloy primer on it.

It usually only takes one coat. Let the primer dry (it usually takes 30-60 minutes).

Put a base coat of silver metallic spray paint on the rims while standing 10 inches away.

Follow the instructions on the product for drying. Add 1-2 more coats if needed.

The paint lacquer will keep spray paint from flaking or scuffing.

The lacquer should be sprayed in a light mist, just like spray paint.

Depending on the lacquer, it usually takes 8-24 hours to dry.

Cleaning

If the scratches on your wheels are fresh, you can try using a mixture of toothpaste and water to clean them.

You can also try other abrasive cleaning products like an SOS pad.

Be careful not to press too hard with these pads though.

You don’t want to further damage the finish of your wheels.

If the scratches are stubborn and don’t seem to be going away, you may want to consider trying a stronger cleaning solution.

You can use a solvent cleaner or even an acid-based solution such as white vinegar or lemon juice.

Be careful not to use these cleaning products on painted rims.

You want to clean the alloy, not the paint.

Now add a little bit of water to your cleaning solution and apply the mixture to the scratched area.

Use a soft cloth to rub the solution into the scratch.

Keep rubbing until the scratch disappears. Then, wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth.

Buffing

Another common method for removing scratches from alloy wheels is buffing.

This method is similar to the polishing method described below, but with a few key differences.

First, you’ll need to use a rotary or electric buffing machine.

Next, you’ll want to use a buffing compound. You can buy this at any auto parts store.

Start by attaching your abrasive buffing pad to the machine.

Set the machine to a low speed and apply the compound to the pad. Then, move the machine over the scratch in a circular motion.

You may want to start with lighter pressure and work your way up to higher pressure as the scratch disappears.

Keep going over the scratch until it disappears completely. Finally, wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth.

Sanding

If you have a deep scratch on your wheel, sanding may be the best method to get rid of it.

However, don’t just grab any old piece of sandpaper. You want to use extremely fine grit sandpaper.

A grit of 1000 or higher is best. Hold the sandpaper in place on the scratch and move it in a circular motion.

Be careful not to press too hard and damage the finish of your wheel. Keep going until the scratch vanishes completely.

Then, wipe the area with a clean, dry cloth. You can also try sanding the surrounding area to even out the surface of the wheel.

Once all the scratches are gone, you can polish your wheels to a high shine.

Polishing

If the scratches on your wheels are small and shallow, then you can polish them out.

To do this, you will need to use a polish made specifically for wheels.

There are many different types of wheel polish out there, but they all have one thing in common: They are made with a very fine grit that will remove the scratch.

When you are polishing the wheels, it is important that you apply the polish in the direction of the wheel’s rotation.

This will help prevent the wheel from becoming distorted due to the polishing.

It is also important that you apply only a small amount of polish at a time, and that you move the polish around quickly.

Final Words

Alloy wheels are an integral part of many people’s cars.

Having them scratched can be a huge inconvenience, but don’t worry!

You can remove scratches from your alloy wheels and restore them to their original appearance with a few simple tricks.

Start by cleaning the wheels to remove any dirt or grime that may be stuck in the scratches.

Then, try buffing, sanding, or polishing to get rid of the scratches.

Once your wheels are scratch-free, you can show them off with pride.