smoothing welds down to a seemless finish possible?

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Hello,First of all, I'm trying to refinish a set of rims I purchased used. They are curbed and will need to be repaired. However, I want the lips to be polished so this is going to be much tougher.I know that wheel repair shops can weld and smooth down the damaged area for a seamless finish.I want to do this myself since the shop is charging $15.00 a weld but $150 to straighten and machine it. I have a edge grinder and a polisher, so I'll be doing this manually. The wheels are forged aluminum.  Basically, I just want to know if its possible for me to smooth down the weld to a seamless finish myself.Any help would be great. Thanks!
Reply:I would be concerned about destroying the heat treat of the wheel by welding on it in the first place.
Reply:Originally Posted by kaytoos2kHello,First of all, I'm trying to refinish a set of rims I purchased used. They are curbed and will need to be repaired. However, I want the lips to be polished so this is going to be much tougher.I know that wheel repair shops can weld and smooth down the damaged area for a seamless finish.I want to do this myself since the shop is charging $15.00 a weld but $150 to straighten and machine it. I have a edge grinder and a polisher, so I'll be doing this manually. The wheels are forged aluminum.  Basically, I just want to know if its possible for me to smooth down the weld to a seamless finish myself.Any help would be great. Thanks!
Reply:I don't know about a seamless, but if you are doing it manually, you can get it close enough that you'd have to look pretty hard to see a repair. Wheel shops turn down a few thousands after a repair. Take your time and don't use too much fillerFire!, Fire! Oh wait, that's my torch...Lincoln PT-225 TIGLincoln 175 MIG
Reply:Also if the rims are 60 or 70 series aluminum, you wont be able to anodize them to match.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelson1-?????? Are the rims chrome plated over the aluminum???http://weldingweb.com/attachment.php...1&d=1231041220....if they are chrome plated over aluminum--then the weld prep, plus the finishing will remove the chrome and copper substrate plating under the chrome, as shown inthe picture.2-????most alum. wheels if not plated, are plastic coated for corrosion resistance.     ?????are your wheels plastic coated???......again, if they're plastic coated, the finishing will remove this coating, which will be visible.3-If none of the above is the case, are the wheels a high buffed, appearance or just machinedfinish???4-Refinishing the wheels, by simply flushing out the weld area is one thing, fairly do-able.    .....but making the wheels look as new, is a major job.
Reply:Originally Posted by VipernutI don't know about a seamless, but if you are doing it manually, you can get it close enough that you'd have to look pretty hard to see a repair. Wheel shops turn down a few thousands after a repair. Take your time and don't use too much filler
Reply:are those tuner wheels still around 400 a set new ?insert thoughtful quote from someone else2000 Thermal Arc 300GTSW 3.5 hours1946 Monarch 20 x 54 Lathe1998 Supermax 10x54 Mill2004 Haco Atlantic 1/2" Capacity Lasernot mine but i get to play with it
Reply:Originally Posted by chenryare those tuner wheels still around 400 a set new ?
Reply:So does anybody know whats the process I need to smooth the welds down?I only have the basic garage tools edge grinder, Porter Cable sander/polisher, Dremel and drill.
Reply:Obviously a process that anybody that knows what high quality wheels deserve"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Probably beyond us mere mortals"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by kaytoos2kSo does anybody know whats the process I need to smooth the welds down?I only have the basic garage tools edge grinder, Porter Cable sander/polisher, Dremel and drill.
Reply:Thank you Dave for taking your time to help me out. I greatly appreciate it.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammObviously a process that anybody that knows what high quality wheels deserve
Reply:Originally Posted by kaytoos2kThank you Dave for taking your time to help me out. I greatly appreciate it.
Reply::d:d:d:d"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I completely forgot to update you guys. I took it to a shop that did a great job. He just added some welds and grinded it down. I sanded and polished it myself. There's almost no evidence of previous damage.
Reply:Looks pretty spiffy to me.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build