Chevrolet Sonic Repair Manual: Aluminum Wheel Refinishing

Finish Damage Evaluation Procedure

Note:

• If the wheels are chrome-plated, do not re-plate or refinish the wheels.
• If the wheels are polished aluminum, do not refinish the wheels in the dealer environment. Utilize a refinisher that meets manufacturer guidelines.
1. Inspect the wheels for damage from uncoated wheel balance weights or from automatic car wash facilities.
2. Inspect the wheels for the following conditions:

• Corrosion
• Scrapes
• Gouges

Verify the damage is not deeper than what sanding can remove.

Inspect the wheels for cracks. If a wheel has cracks, discard the wheel.

Inspect the wheels for bent rim flanges. If a rim flange is bent, discard the wheel.

Refinishing Procedure

Warning:

To avoid serious personal injury when applying any two part component paint system, follow the specific precautions provided by the paint manufacturer. Failure to follow these precautions may cause lung irritation and allergic respiratory reaction.

1. Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
2. Remove the balance weights from the wheel.
3. Remove the tire from the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
4. Use a suitable cleaner in order to remove the following contaminants from the wheel:

• Lubricants
• Wax
• Dirt

Note:

• Do not re-machine the wheel.
• Do not use chemicals in order to strip the paint from the wheel.

Use plastic media blasting in order to remove the paint from the wheel.

If the wheel had a machined aluminum finish, spin the wheel and use sand paper in order to restore the circular machined appearance.

Note:

The wheel mounting surface and the wheel nut contact surface must remain free of paint.

Mask the wheel mounting surface and the wheel nut contact surface.

Follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for painting the wheel.

Unmask the wheel.

Install a new valve stem.

Note:

Use new coated balance weights in order to balance the wheel.

Install the tire to the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.

Use a suitable cleaner in order to remove the following contaminants from the wheel mounting surface:

• Corrosion
• Overspray
• Dirt

Install the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.