Can Deformed Car Wheels Be Repaired?
2 Answers
They can be repaired, but replacement is recommended. First, pad the dented area with materials like sponge or cloth, then use a hammer to forcefully flatten the dented part. The flattened area will inevitably be uneven. This is okay; you can use body filler (putty), which is used in auto body painting for leveling. For the wheel, it's used to restore roundness. After smoothing out the uneven areas, sand the inside of the wheel to prepare it for the next step of painting. Let the putty dry in the sun. The subsequent steps are similar to car painting: repaint the entire wheel. Since the original wheel color is the natural hue of the aluminum alloy, which no paint can perfectly match, a complete repaint is necessary. Use automotive spray paint close to the wheel's original color to repaint the entire wheel. Wait for the paint to dry. Aluminum alloy wheels: As a metallic material, aluminum alloy, like a bent wire that can be straightened, will break after two or three attempts—let alone a large wheel. If a wheel is forcibly restored to its original shape, it may look new externally, but its internal structure becomes fragile. Moreover, if the repaired area is impacted again while driving, the wheel could break directly, leading to a serious traffic accident.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, let me tell you that wheel rim deformation depends on the specific situation. If it's just a slight dent from hitting a curb, you can take it to a reliable repair shop and have it professionally pressed back into shape. But if the entire wheel is bent or severely deformed due to a collision, I strongly advise against repairing it. A repaired rim is like a bone that's been set after a fracture—it may look fine on the surface, but the internal metal structure is already compromised. A sudden crack at high speed is no joke. I've personally seen repaired rims break apart while driving, sending fragments flying—it was terrifying. Safety is no trivial matter; if it's time for a new one, don't hesitate.
