What's involved in On Site Wheel Repair

P

pingable

New member
For those that know, (I've never had one or seen), those mobile wheel repair guys, how do they refinish a wheel onsite.



I assume tape off to ~mitigate overspray~, clean the front, rapidset bondo, sand, good etching primer, paint, blend & or paint the entire face of the wheel, clear and Viola ? All while the wheel is on the car or not ?







I'm cleaning one of my winter wheels which I can tell was touched up as there is buildup on the front stampings on the wheel. meg Wheel Brightener, Pressure Washer, u name it - the finish is perfect and holding up. Kinda amazed at how well it's holding up......
 
It all depends, the better ones take the wheel off the car, take the tire off and do their work in a truck. There are also lot lizards that just rattle can it.
 
I wouldn't trust or use a mobile (on-site) wheel repair..(period). Mainly becuse they can't return the finish to the OEM specification. This needs to be done off-site with the tools, machines and products. Keep in mind that most, if not OEM wheels have a powdercoated finish so unless these mobile guys have a pretty big oven, run for the hills.



I've literally and personally sent 100's wheels to this place with great success: Wheels America Wheel Repair
 
Powdercoating is a whole nuther thread in itself.

Even me, personally, I have only 2 trusted shops for pcoat using the Correct Temp, Time. It's all about the metelluggy for me.....but that is a whole nuther diatribe in itself.





There are pros/cons to pcoat vs. powder. And it's not just because pcoat is more durable. Pcoat when the metal is fresh vs. *after* are 2 different levels of powdercoat....





Back ontopic, and I can't fathom them removing the tire. If they were to remove the tire, that would be a whole nuther pricepoint right there in itself if not level of service. I suppose this wheel could have had the tire taken off, and sprayed. Regardless, I just know is was resprayed and I'm just amazed on the quality.....for what it is.
 
I use an on site guy, but he works out of a trailer with a paint booth and oven. He's also got all the machines needed to remove and remount the tire and straighten the rim.



If he didn't have that kind of set up, I wouldn't use him. I'd use something more along the lines of what Dave posted.
 
Just skillful skulpting, primer, base and clear-coat. They need to have separate prep and paint areas, clever air vent system and dust free heat ducting.

There are plenty of mobile guys who have this set up and can give you a longer lasting product that you can get from the factory.
 
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