Aluminium Filler?

[Steveh]

I want to fill some bad pitting in the polished part of my wheels.
Does anyone know of a putty type of filler that can be polished after it hardens? (eg. Lab Metal, Davcon)

Has anyone used a low temperture melting aluminium filler rod on wheels? (eg.Muggyweld Super Alloy 1 or 5)
Has anyone tig welded on wheels?
Im only talking about cosmetic repairs here.

Is there anything to fill these pits and can be polished to look at least better than just holes?
I dont want to paint the polished part of the rims.

[skids]

I would be afraid to weld on the wheels. Heat stress. I would think that temperature to melt aluminum to aluminum could be a bad thing, but hey I have been wrong before!

[fredintoon]

I want to fill some bad pitting in the polished part of my wheels. - - -

Hi Steve,
I don't see filling the pits and re-polishing looking anything but effin' 'orrible.
If the pits are deep enough to TIG weld the rim is scrap anyway.
Two things to try:-
1) Bead blast the polished areas to disguise the aluminium acne.
2) Find a big enough lathe and remove a skim cut off the surface to get back to new metal.

[mack]

Hi

Crazy Steve turned me onto this product. I haven't tried it yet but sounds like what your looking for. Looks like super alloy 5 is the right one.
http://www.muggyweld.com/?view=aluminum
__________________

[donebysunday]

I just wonder if rubbing tin foil on that pitting would make it look OK temporarily ?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Fred,

I was thinking more along the same lines as your last comment, get a flap grinder with a fine grit and grind away the surface aluminum to get a smooth finish, then he should be able to get a better surface for polishing. These rims are quite thick, so a few thousandths off shouldn't affect their durability and strength.

T.C.

[rambler Shawn]

I've tig'ed stuff like this daily. Hot and fast to reduce the HAZ (Heat affected zone). If you or someone you know is decent with a torch, have at her. Then machine the surface for the best results.

[BigRed]

I don't know what alloy or heat treatment was used on our rims, but welding aluminum can wreck the heat treatment, and you can lose about two thirds of the strength in the alloy. For example (this is from memory, so don't use these numbers to build a spacecraft), 6061 alloy with T6 heat treatment has a yield strength around 45 ksi, and that drops to around 14 ksi in the heat affected zone if you weld it.

I would opt for filler and paint over taking the chance on welding. Your wheels would be most stressed when you're in a bad situation already... I wouldn't want it to get any worse.

[Schming]

Like Fred suggests, if the wheel or wheels are pitted badly they are already compromised. Got any pics ?
IMHO you may have more time and materials in a fix than securing a good used one or two form Andreas Weiss or here's one of many on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-XS110...6312e0&vxp=mtr

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Dealer

I want to fill some bad pitting in the polished part of my wheels.
Does anyone know of a putty type of filler that can be polished after it hardens? (eg. Lab Metal, Davcon)

Has anyone used a low temperture melting aluminium filler rod on wheels? (eg.Muggyweld Super Alloy 1 or 5)
Has anyone tig welded on wheels?
Im only talking about cosmetic repairs here.

Is there anything to fill these pits and can be polished to look at least better than just holes?
I dont want to paint the polished part of the rims.

Check with your local high end car dealer, they will have a person that repaires road rash on their alum wheels, they can fix yours if you like or sell you the filler so you can fix yourself. It is a two part filler and made just for your needs, or just order some here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alloy-Wheel-...4729%26ps%3D54

[CaptonZap]

Check me if I'm wrong, but Steveh wanted something that would polish up like bare aluminum.
The stuff you pointed out is for the painted rims that seem to be the norm on newer cars.
I think his best bet would be to find a used rim that wasn't pitted, as all the processes suggested so far are long on labor and cost.
The old wet blanket, CZ

[Rasputin]

I think his best bet would be to find a used rim that wasn't pitted, as all the processes suggested so far are long on labor and cost.
The old wet blanket, CZ

You have to remember that he is in Australia so the simple act of getting one shipped is very costly if it comes from here. Thus the need for a better/cheaper fix. I have rims I could send for free but the shipping and time would be prohibitive. I think parts are not as easily come by down under as they are here. I could be wrong (again) but that's my take on it.

[Steveh]

Thanks Ras

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Check me if I'm wrong, but Steveh wanted something that would polish up like bare aluminum.
The stuff you pointed out is for the painted rims that seem to be the norm on newer cars.
I think his best bet would be to find a used rim that wasn't pitted, as all the processes suggested so far are long on labor and cost.
The old wet blanket, CZ

+1, the best fix would be replace the wheels with real nice ones if he can find cheap. The paint, if you want to call it that, for the wheels has come a long way as seen here:

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/kil...P1070965_L.jpg

true, it looks best when sprayed on, but if he polishes the wheels 1st, fills the pits that show, then touches up with the silver coat, it should look good, not perfect, but good.

As to the shipping, the sight I sent is in the UK and offers free worldwide shipping to Australia

[XS1100_OEM4ME]

Pits

Pits are an easy fix with this stuff, If the wheels are so bad that this won't help, they need replaced for a lot of reasons, some safty related, if not, then LOOKS are an easy fix this way