A wheel repair specialist is someone who can fix, machine, or otherwise modify various types of vehicle wheels. A wheel repair specialist’s specific services vary, but in general, the specialist can fix bends, cracks, dents, misalignments, and other types of damage to a wheel. Some specialists specialize in aluminum alloy wheels only, while others can work on any type of wheel. A wheel may not be able to be repaired in some cases, so a wheel specialist may be able to manufacture a new wheel to match the other wheels.
A wheel repair specialist’s work will entail a lot of cosmetic work. Scraped, bent, or scratched alloy wheels can occur as a result of road debris, as well as collisions with curbs or other obstacles. The wheel repair specialist may come to the customer’s location to repair the wheel, or the customer may be required to visit a wheel repair shop. This is usually determined by the severity of the wheel damage. In either case, the expert will assess the damage and recommend the best course of action for repair.
The complexity and cost of various repairs can vary greatly. Simple nicks and scratches can usually be buffed out, but deeper gouges or scrapes may necessitate total refinishing. If total refinishing is required, the wheel repair specialist will most likely have to remove the wheel from the vehicle in order to remove the tire and use various tools to remove the scratches and gouges. The complexity of the job may also be determined by the wheel’s design; some wheels have spokes, two-piece construction, or other features that make refinishing difficult. If this is the case, the wheel will have to be removed, extending the repair time.
Bent wheels are usually simple to repair, but they do necessitate the removal of the wheel from the vehicle. The wheel repair specialist will heat the wheel to the proper temperature and perform a series of small bends with various tools. After that, the wheel can be checked for straightness and, if necessary, bent again. This process requires a controlled environment with a consistent hot temperature, which means bent wheels can rarely be repaired adequately on the spot. Small bends can sometimes be repaired on the spot, but this isn’t always a good idea.