Chevrolet Cruze 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.
- Inspect the wheels for damage from uncoated wheel balance weights or from automatic car wash facilities.
- 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.
- Lift the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly from the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
- Remove the balance weights from the wheel.
- Remove the tire from the wheel. Refer to Tire Dismounting and Mounting.
- 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.
- Lower the vehicle.
Aluminum Wheel Porosity Repair
Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal
and Installation.
Inflate the tire to the manufactures specified pressure as stated on the
tire.
Submerge the tire/w ...
Tyre and Wheel Removal and Installation
Removal Procedure
Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the
Vehicle.
Remove the wheel center cap.
Mark the relationship of the wheel (2) to the hub.
...
Other materials:
Winter Driving
Driving on Snow or Ice
Drive carefully when there is snow or ice between the tires and the road, creating
less traction or grip.
Wet ice can occur at about 0°C (32°F) when freezing rain begins to fall, resulting
in even less traction.
Avoid driving on wet ice or in freezing rain until roads c ...
Recommended Fuel
Use regular unleaded gasoline with a posted octane rating of 87 or higher. If
the octane rating is less than 87, an audible knocking noise, commonly referred
to as spark knock, might be heard when driving.
If this occurs, use a gasoline rated at 87 octane or higher as soon as possible.
If hea ...
Navigation
OnStar navigation requires the Directions and Connections service plan.
Press to receive directions or have
them sent to the vehicle navigation screen, if equipped.
Destinations can also be forwarded to the vehicle from MapQuest.com.
The OnStar mapping database is continuously updated. For cov ...
