Alloy Wheel Repairs Australia - The Wheel Man

Mobile Alloy Wheel Repairs - FAQs

"You may still have some questions and that's understandable. So I have included many of the most frequently asked questions here for you. I trust my answers reassure you and will help you in making the right decision."

John Garlick

How do you repair the wheel?
We machine the damaged areas, prep the wheel for painting, paint the wheel and then paint clear coat on the wheel, bringing the wheel back to it's original colour and condition.

I can see some white on my wheels; can you get rid of that?
The white you can see is the undercoat used in the original painting process. We will make sure we re-paint over all the damaged areas.

Do you re-paint the whole wheel?
Generally, we re-paint only the damaged area, leaving the majority of the wheel it in original condition.

Do you re-polish the wheel?
95% of wheels are painted silver, so in most cases, we don't polish wheels, we re-paint them. In some cases, wheels have a machined or polished finish, in which case, we do re-polish the wheel and then paint a clear coat on top to preserve the polished finish.

Do you take my wheel away?
No, we repair the wheel in-situ, so you don't have to send your wheel away for repairs.

Do you take my wheel off the car?
No, we repair the wheel while it is still on your car.

How do you repair the wheel on the car?
We have a patented equipment and system to fully repair the wheel on your car and bring it back to it's original condition.

How do you get rid of all the scratches?
We machine and sand the scratches back to a smooth finish and then re-paint the wheel.

How long does it take?
Generally, it takes between 60 to 90 minutes to repair and repaint your wheel. You will need to wait another hour before you can drive your car, to allow the paint to become touch dry. The paint will take 1 to 2 days to fully cure and during this period it is best not to get the wheel wet.

Do you get paint on my car?
No, we don't get paint on your car. We do not use a normal spray gun which has a high volume spray. We use an air brush to re-paint the damaged area only. The air brush has a very focused, low volume air flow which means that we minimize the over spray so that it does not go all over your car.

What about the shine on the wheel, can you match that?
Yes, the shine is clear coat, and we paint clear coat on the wheel to match the original colour and shine.

How do you match the colour of my wheel?
We have a number of proprietary paints that we use to match the silver colour on every type of wheel.

Do you re-weld the wheel?
No, we do not re-weld wheels. It is not possible to offer this service as a mobile service.

How long before I can drive the car?
It is best to leave the car for at least one hour before driving it. The longer you leave the car before driving the better the paint will dry and cure.

Is the paint baked on?
No, the paint is air cured. This means the paint will take approximately 1 to 2 days to fully dry and cure, however, the paint will be touch dry within an hour.

When can I wash the car?
It is best not to get the wheel wet for at least one day, and even better if you can leave it for 2 to 3 days to really cure properly.

Will I still be able to see the damaged area?
Generally, for most damaged wheels, you will not be able to see the damaged areas. On some wheels, where the damage was particularly deep, then you will notice a change in profile of the wheel in that area, but once the wheel has been painted, it will blend into the surrounding areas and be as good as new again.

Do I need to get the wheel re-balanced?
Generally, wheels do not need to be re-balanced. The alloy wheel is so light that the small amount of machining and re-painting that we do does not affect the overall balance of the wheel and tyre.

What happens when I get the tyre changed?
As long as the tyre people use standard methods to change your tyre, then the wheel should remain in good condition. Unfortunately, sometimes, wheels are scratched, however, this can occur on the original area as well as the repaired area.

Do you guarantee the final finish?
The painting process results in a standard hard coat of paint that, if treated correctly will not scratch, fade, or peel. We use a proprietary painting system to ensure that the paint adheres to the repaired surface for life.

How do I keep my wheel clean?
The best method to keep your wheel clean is to regularly clean the wheel with soap and water, using a sponge to get into all the spokes and corners.

Can I use this wheel cleaner on my wheels?
You must be very careful using wheel cleaners. Some wheel cleaners use acid to help remove brake dust and other road grime. This acid will attack the clear coat and paint on the wheel and can, in some cases, cause discolouration after just one application. It is best to use only soap and water to clean your wheels.

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I'm looking forward to helping you in any way I can to get the best returns for used cars in your yard today.

Warm Regards,
John Garlick

Mobile Alloy Wheel Repairs, Sydney, Australia - The Wheel Man