Welding cast aluminum wheel?

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My buddy is going to be helping with the repair of my cast aluminum wheels.  They have curb marks and I intend to polish them once done.  Is there anyone here with this sort of experience?  What filler should we use to build up the problem spots?  I have been told 4043 is a good choice.  Here is a picture of the wheel:Thanks in advance guys!
Reply:Originally Posted by Jon KMy buddy is going to be helping with the repair of my cast aluminum wheels.  They have curb marks and I intend to polish them once done.  Is there anyone here with this sort of experience?  What filler should we use to build up the problem spots?  I have been told 4043 is a good choice.  Here is a picture of the wheel:Thanks in advance guys!
Reply:Originally Posted by gnm109I vote against any welding on aluminum wheels. I presume that yours are on a car. I've tossed several motorcycle wheels with similar damage. If you do it anyway, I would suggest a good preheat followed with some sort of heat treatment afterwards. Good luck!
Reply:Go slow and easy...5356 filler..You may have the "crap to the top" issue because of the cast material..Make one pass.. Let it cool...Grind off the crap on the top..Repeat untill you get a good solid fill..DO NOT TRY TO DO THIS ALL AT ONCE!!!Skip to the other areas and play back and fourth untill you can feel no diffrence in the heat from welded to any not welded area..Go slow and all is well.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:my old boss was always running into curbs, mostly due to his liquid power lunches and about 3 times a month we would be repairing his rims. In the beginning I welded but it just got to be too much hassle so I just used a  aluminum re-inforced body filler, and that worked great. After cleaning the area, building up and sanding you would have to repaint the rim naturally, but alot easier than welding.  https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/pc-...iller-889.aspxnot the stuff I used, but gives you an idea
Reply:Originally Posted by slag7018my old boss was always running into curbs, mostly due to his liquid power lunches and about 3 times a month we would be repairing his rims. In the beginning I welded but it just got to be too much hassle so I just used a  aluminum re-inforced body filler, and that worked great. After cleaning the area, building up and sanding you would have to repaint the rim naturally, but alot easier than welding.  https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/pc-...iller-889.aspxnot the stuff I used, but gives you an idea
Reply:Be careful, I have welded some "cast Aluminum" car rims, and some have a coating on them.  You will have to grind or burn it off, and when you do,  the rim will look FAR WORSE than what you have there.  Just something to check on.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Originally Posted by Hammack_WeldingBe careful, I have welded some "cast Aluminum" car rims, and some have a coating on them.  You will have to grind or burn it off, and when you do,  the rim will look FAR WORSE than what you have there.  Just something to check on.  ~Jackson
Reply:This is a common practice with body shops and the insurance industry. There are a number of companies that make a killing doing this for the ins. companies since it's much cheaper than a new rim. When my service van got broadsided, 2 of my wheels were sent for the procedure. One of them was cracked on the area shown in your picture. When they came back, they looked better than new right down to the clear powder coating.I did one with 3/64" 5356 and a spool gun. I preheated with propane then made one pass and ground it.....then made about 3 more passes with grinding. It filled well and you can't tell it was done once polished. These didn't have clear....just make sure it isn't a old wheel made from magnesium.
Reply:Excellent.  Yeah I want to polish them up these are definitely aluminum.