WHY TIG WELDING IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALLOY WHEELS
When an alloy wheel cracks from a pothole impact or severe kerb strike, it requires a structural repair, not just a cosmetic patch. Leaving a crack unrepaired allows water ingress and corrosion to spread, eventually leading to catastrophic wheel failure. TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is the only acceptable method for repairing thin aluminium and alloy wheels.
Unlike MIG welding, which is fast but messy, TIG welding provides our technicians with absolute, pinpoint heat control. This allows us to achieve deep, structural penetration without warping the surrounding alloy. The result is a super-clean weld bead that restores the wheel's strength and can be machined back to a flawless, invisible finish.
SAFETY FIRST: WHAT WE WILL (AND WON'T) WELD
We treat wheel welding with the seriousness it deserves. A repaired wheel must be safe for highway speeds and heavy braking.
- What we weld: Hairline cracks on the inner barrel, split rims, and missing chunks of alloy on the outer lip caused by kerb damage.
- What we won't weld: Cracks through the central hub or spokes, or wheels that have been previously welded poorly and have failed again. If a wheel isn't safe or economical to repair, we will tell you upfront and advise replacement. We never weld parts we wouldn't trust on our own vehicles.
OUR TIG WELDING PROCESS
- Dye-Penetrant Testing: We inspect the damage and use dye-penetrant testing to reveal the full extent of the crack, ensuring we repair the entire fault line.
- V-Groove Prep: We grind a deep V-groove along the crack. This ensures the weld penetrates the full thickness of the alloy, rather than just sitting on the surface.
- Pre-Heating: The wheel is pre-heated to remove moisture and impurities, preventing porous, weak welds.
- Precision Weld: Using three-phase TIG welders and the correct filler rod for your specific alloy blend, we build a strong, consistent weld.
- Machine & Refinish: The weld is machined smooth to match the wheel's original profile, then refinished and dynamically rebalanced.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
IS IT SAFE TO WELD A CRACKED RIM?
In most cases, yes. When a crack on the inner or outer barrel is correctly assessed, V-grooved, and TIG welded by an experienced technician, the repaired area is often stronger than the original alloy.
WILL THE WELD BE VISIBLE?
No. Once the weld is complete, we machine the excess material back to the wheel's original profile. After the wheel is primed, painted, and clear-coated, the repair is completely invisible.
HOW LONG DOES A WELD REPAIR TAKE?
Most weld jobs are turned around in 1–2 days. We handle everything in-house at our Grey Lynn workshop, meaning your car isn't waiting around for outsourced engineering work.
READY TO REPAIR THAT CRACK?
Don't risk driving on a cracked wheel. Drop by our Grey Lynn workshop, or send photos for a fast quote. We'll TIG it right—and get you back on the road with confidence.
Over a decade
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Expert Repairer for 60+ car & wheel brands
Discover factory-finish alloy wheel repair for every kind of vehicle — prestige, performance, SUV, EV, or everyday runabout. Our specialist technicians restore alloy and mag wheels to a flawless, OEM-quality finish.
location
We service alloy wheels nationwide from our high-tech workshop in Auckland.
grey lynn, auckland
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Loan vehicles, and loan wheels are available.