Wheel Restoration Process and Technical Information

WHEEL RESTORATIONS & CUSTOM COATINGS

Our Wheel Restorations & Custom Coatings service targets cosmetic damage on a wheel’s face—such as curb rash, scratches, coating failures, and surface-level corrosion—using advanced refinishing techniques that replicate or exceed OEM finishes.

Key Technical Highlights

  1. Advanced Prep and Primer

    • Cleaning & Stripping: Each wheel is thoroughly stripped of existing paint or powder coat using chemical and mechanical methods.

    • Sandblasting: We sandblast to remove any remaining contaminants, creating a uniform profile for superior coating adhesion.

    • Degreasing: A high-efficiency degreasing step removes any oils or residues that might compromise the coating.

    • Etching Primer Pre-Treatment: Unique to P1 Smart Repairs, this stage ensures optimal corrosion resistance and strong mechanical bonding between the wheel substrate and subsequent coatings.

    • Powder Primer Application: We apply a robust powder primer to increase resilience and to prevent underfilm corrosion.

  2. PPG Paint Systems & Proprietary Color Matching

    • Solvent-Based PPG Paint: We exclusively use high-quality solvent-based PPG paints for rich color density and flow characteristics.

    • OEM Color Library: Our in-house color database (built from thousands of wheel repairs) ensures pinpoint-accurate matches to OEM or custom shades. We also use color decks and spectrophotometers as needed.

    • Custom Colors & Special Effects: Hyper silver, tri-coats, candy finishes—if you can envision it, we can bring it to life.

  3. Finishing & Clear Coat

    • Low-Cure Powder Clear: As a final step, we use a low-temperature curing clear powder to reduce thermal stress on aluminum alloy wheels.

    • Wet-Based High-Quality 2K Urethane Clear: For clients who prefer wet paint, we offer a thick 2K clear coat with superb UV and chemical resistance.

    • ASTM-Tested Durability: Our coatings meet rigorous ASTM benchmarks:

      • Direct/Indirect Impact: 100 in.-lbs. (ASTM D2794)

      • Pencil Hardness: 2H (ASTM D3363)

      • Excellent Resistance: Solvents, oils, acids, and alkalis.

  4. CNC Lathe Machining

    • LENCO Wheel-Specific CNC Lathe: Engineered exclusively for wheel repairs (not a repurposed lathe). 

    • Tooling Bits: Four profiles—two carbide-based with different nose angles and two PCD (polycrystalline diamond) bits—for precise and consistent OEM or custom-machined finishes.

  5. Quality Control & Turnaround

    • Thickness & Finish Checks: We use digital paint thickness gauges to confirm uniform coating.

    • Lifetime Warranty on Delamination: Our refinishing is guaranteed not to peel or delaminate under normal use.

    • Standard Lead Time: Typically 48 hours per wheel. We prioritize thoroughness over rushing—everything is documented step by step in our  Shop System.

Why Choose P1 Smart Repairs for Wheel Restorations?

  • Proprietary multi-stage surface preparation for long-term adhesion.

  • Specialized CNC machining to replicate factory-milled faces.

  • Lifetime warranty against coating failures.

  • Unmatched color accuracy thanks to a proprietary color database.

  • Fully documented process (photos, digital logs) via P1 2.0 for complete transparency.

WHY P1 SMART REPAIRS STANDS APART

  1. Full Remanufacturing Capability
     We don’t just “fix” wheels; we remanufacture them. This includes CNC machining, TIG welding (Controlled Environment with Filtered Air), heat-controlled straightening, and premium coatings—processes typically found only in large-scale OEM facilities.

  2. Data-Driven Color & Repair Techniques
     Our proprietary color database, combined with thousands of documented wheel repairs, ensures best-in-class precision and repeatability.

  3. Documented Every Step of the Way
     Thanks to the in-house built shop management system, every stage—pickup, inspection, repair, finishing, and delivery—is recorded with timestamps, photos, and geolocation data. Our wholesale partners and retail customers can log in to see real-time progress.

  4. Worry-Free Turnaround
     While many shops may rush or promise same-day fixes, we value thoroughness. Our standard 48-hour turnaround balances speed with unrivaled quality control.

  5. Community-Focused
     P1 Smart Repairs is proud to be a local business. We believe in supporting our Kent community and providing opportunities for diverse talents to flourish in automotive craftsmanship.

 

 

Ready to Experience Washington’s Leading Wheel Remanufacturing?

Whether you need curb rash refinished, a bent wheel straightened, a cracked rim TIG-welded, or a custom powder-coated set of rims, P1 Smart Repairs in Kent, WA, has the technology, expertise, and passion to get the job done right.

Contact us today at call or text at (206) 414-8857 and let us show you why we are Washington State’s undisputed leader in wheel repair and remanufacturing.