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:
- 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:
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:
- Install the tire and wheel assembly to the vehicle. Refer to Tire and
Wheel Removal and Installation.
- Lower the vehicle.
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 ...
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:
If the Vehicle Is Stuck
Slowly and cautiously spin the wheels to free the vehicle when stuck in sand,
mud, ice, or snow.
If stuck too severely for the traction system to free the vehicle, turn the traction
system off and use the rocking method.
WARNING
If the vehicle's tires spin at high speed, they can explode, ...
Installation Procedure
Cut the roof front header panel in corresponding locations to fit the
remaining original panel. The sectioning joint should be trimmed
to allow a gap of one-and-one-half-times the metal thickness at the
sectioning joint.
Create a 50 mm (2 in) backing plate from the unused portion of ...
Interior Care
To prevent dirt particle abrasions, regularly clean the vehicle's interior.
Immediately remove any soils. Note that newspapers or dark garments that can
transfer color to home furnishings can also permanently transfer color to the vehicle's
interior.
Use a soft bristle brush to remove ...