Alloy Wheel Reapair - Liberty GT

[baldacchino]

Hi Guys,
I have a MY10 GT wagon with a very minor scuff mark on the passenger side wheel which I want to repair.

I have viewed a few videos online on how to do it (mainly mighty car mods) and seen a few products in the form of kits out there. I have a few questions that I would be grateful if answered.

1. Where can I get the right colour paint. I have the 18inch spokey wheels. Is there a colour code for Subaru paint. Can someone recommend something I should buy?
2. Should I buy a kit or just use bog, primer and spray?

Any other recommendations are appreciated.

Shane

[tony_m]

What colour are they? I used Dupli-Colour Silver Wheel Paint, for my stock '08 wheels. Recommended on another site as a match for Subaru's silver wheels. I used etch primer, blade putty, spray primer, wheel paint, light sand, then clear coat.

As far as I know there is no colour codes for wheels..? Makes it a bit of a gamble. Test inside the rim perhaps?

[baldacchino]

Hey Tony,
Thanks for the reply.

They are identical to the wheels in this picture


When you say you used etch primer, did you use that before the putty, I would have thought it would be in reverse order?
I saw the link recommending Dupli-Colour Silver Wheel Paint. Can I ask where did you buy it?



Finally are you happy with your result and can you tell?

[tony_m]

Looks the same as my wheel's colour, but can't say for certain. I reckon it'd be a safe bet to buy it and test. Should be OK!

Yes before- Wax & grease remover to give the scuff a good clean, then etch prime the bare metal - gives the putty a good surface to adhere to.
Use a normal spray primer after you've sanded and shaped the putty.

You will find Dupli-Colour at Supercheap Auto. Autobarn will probably carry it as well.

100% happy - check out pic's from the repair in my Profile.

Don't mask the area, just mask off the tyre. Lightly blend the paint in to the rest of the rim. It's slightly textured, so you'll want to wet sand it with 1200g till smooth, and then apply clear coats.

[baldacchino]

Awesome, really good useful information.
I used to have a Gen 4 liberty and the colours of the wheels from memory are identical.

I will get to it in a month or so. Again really appreciate the info.

Shane

[tony_m]

No worries mate.

Let me know how you get on!

Tony

[baldacchino]

Tony,
I also read in a few posts you need to do this in really warm weather.
Do you think if I tackle this one weekend on a gloomy Melbourne weekend it will pan out?

I will let you know either way how it pans out

Shane

[tony_m]

I'm not really sure...? I would think that the temperature just helps the curing time for putties and paint? I used blade putty which dried in a matter of minutes. I did this mid-winter (QLD, mind you ) and everything was fine.

It's only going to get hotter from now anyway! Haha.