DIY gutter rash repair? Feasible?

redwards · Postby **redwards** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:35 pm

I put a dent in my pride and a nasty nasty gutter rash on my front left a couple of weeks ago :cry:

All the other rims have some minor parking mishap rash too (Not from me!!)

It's ugly, I don't like it, and I want it fixed.

How feasible is it to do a DIY repair? I found this thread. What's this magic liquid metal bog?

And failing that, what have other people paid getting gutter rash repaired?

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:44 pm

i reckon you could use QuikSteel or JBWeld. but i seem to recall seeing another product at supercheap auto for this exact purpose. a tub of metal filler / bog type stuff... visit your local supercheap and ask the question there.

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:24 am

Have a chat to this guy http://www.alliancerimrepairs.com.au/

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:30 pm

Fatty wrote:i reckon you could use QuikSteel or JBWeld. but i seem to recall seeing another product at supercheap auto for this exact purpose. a tub of metal filler / bog type stuff... visit your local supercheap and ask the question there.

Just be aware that rumour has it that Fatty is attempting to build an entire car out of JBWeld. :lol:

If they're OEM Clubman wheels with typical rash then a simple hand sand with 240Wet'n'Dry followed by 400 and 800 will go a long way towards making them look like new.

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:37 pm

manga_blue wrote:[
Just be aware that rumour has it that Fatty is attempting to build an entire car out of JBWeld.

it's funny coz it's true !! :mrgreen:

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:01 pm

Another vote here for JB weld ! It's fantastic.

It would almost be cheaper for Fatty to build his car from solid Gold that JB weld.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:35 pm

manga_blue wrote:If they're OEM Clubman wheels with typical rash then a simple hand sand with 240Wet'n'Dry followed by 400 and 800 will go a long way towards making them look like new.

I think i'll give that a go on my spare na6 wheels. Have you done it before? If so any furthur advice in doing it?

Ben

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:14 pm

I've done it a few times. You can hardly pick it afterwards. Use fresh paper, dripping wet. Just take it easy at first with the 240 until you see how far it cuts. It doesn't take much to get most of the rash out.

bensale · Postby **bensale** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:34 pm

Thanks heaps for that. I'll give it a go next week & let you know how I went.

Cheers
Ben

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jun 15, 2008 6:52 pm

The thread shows an unpainted wheel as a starting point. If you wheels are painted try some gently sanding- wire wool conforms nicely and you may get a pretty good improvement- the road grime in the scratches tend to make it look worse. Add spray paint till the next time you do it. For masking if you have a strip of plastic or thin sheetmetal just run it around the rim attach the ends and you have masked off the rubber. Bigger jobs as suggested by okibi can be tackled with the filler.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 10:32 am

I wouldn't recommend wire wool on wheels, or any exposed alloy parts really.

Fine fibers of steel break off and embed themselves in the alloy. Then they rust and leave stains.

green_comet · Postby **green_comet** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 12:48 pm

I have fixed up gutter rash on a few different wheels, the latest being the Simmons I have on. If it is light gutter rash you can use a file and sandpaper to get most of it out, but if its deep you will need to use some sort of metal bog like the others are saying.

I would suggest taking the tyres off so you can round off the edges right. Once its all nice and smooth sand the whole wheel down, apply some primer, then a polyurethane top coat.

Heres is the thread to the V4 Simmons I fixed up..

http://www.mx5cartalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=30210

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 11:39 am

I think it highly unlikely that wire wool which is available in differing grades is not suitable for cleaning and refurbishing esp wheels. If you are painting anything the standard approach is to clean with prepsol. On my own car I got a very good appearance improvement without doing any painting. As for removing tyres this is a lot of work particularly if you are only applying a careful selective touch up around the damaged areas. I also subscribe to the view that you are driving a car and there are always going to be blemishes which all but the fussy few will ever notice. If however you want to do the perfect job in a world of many demands it is everyones right- it also occurs to me that the MX5 has a wheel and tyre config that lends itself admirably to gutter damage. You decide how much effort to expend.