Fixing Alloy Wheels?

[darkspork]

Yesterday I bought a set of used alloy wheels to use as a winter set with snow tires on my wife's car. One rim his somewhat of a "nick" or indentation most likely from collision with a curb on the lip of the rim. I was told that the tire still holds air fine. Is it possible to repair this "nick"? I'd imagine bondo might make it good as new in terms of shape, but would it be okay for the tire to contact the bondo if given proper time to dry? Would it be possible to attach wheel weights on the spot with bondo? Alternatively, if it doesn't "need" to be fixed will it still be possible to balance the wheel properly? Or is it even possible to repair damage like this if it's on the lip of the rim?

I'm sorry I don't really know anything about wheels.

On a somewhat unrelated note, the winter wheels are 1/2" wider (15x6.5 instead of 15x6). Stock wheel size is 195x65x15. If I wanted a nearly identical ride would I be better off sticking with this tire size for the winter tires, or should I purchase a wider tire since the rim is wider (I was thinking 205x60x15). I want to figure out soon because they are taking up room in the bed of my Ranger, plus winter starts in about a month.

 

[martin]

If the damage is just on the lip, just ignore it. Balance should not be a problem as you can always use stick on weights. The half inch difference will not make any difference, you can use the same size tyre with no problem.

 

[bruker]

If you realy want to repair it just for cosmetics, use JB Weld.

 

[JohnnyO]

See if there is one of these franchises in your area.

http://www.alloywheelrepairspecialist.com/

I used them to fix a flat spot on an aluminum wheel on my son's car and they did a nice job. His wheels are no longer made and I couldn't buy another one.

 

[RustedRanger]

Bondo.....nope. There are places like JohnnyO mentioned. There is a body repair stuff that is aluminum but I don't know if it's strong enough for wheels.

 

[straycat]

If you really want that wheel and after you try everything...take it to carsmetics, they repair them. They fixed a cracked BMW wheel for a buddy of mine. Made it like new and he got a waranty on it.

 

[darkspork]

There's no shops that specialize in wheel repair in my area. I may try a body shop, but if it hold air fine, even in the winter then I see no reason to bother.

 

[AllanD]

if these are "winter wheels" why do you care?

AD

 

[straycat]

Oh...just temp wheels?? You do want them to hold air and not fast or slow leaks on the road!!!

 

[darkspork]

if these are "winter wheels" why do you care?

AD

Because I want them to hold air well. As far as cosmetics goes, I could not possibly care less because they'll constantly be coated in road sand.