Wheel repair (minor) question

There's a gap in my knowledge but I figure someone here would know.

I need wheels for the wife's XTerra. I can get a full set from the wrecker for about 340 dollars but they're curb rashed and chipped.

A number of places online seem to recommend using Bondo to fill the scuffs and chips then paint them. Do I have to worry about the filler on the lip chipping off when new tires are mounted? I'd hate to fix them unmounted then have to perform the work again after the tires go on.

Thank you.

Bueller....? I'd have thought someone here would have done it.

I've never used bondo to fill curb rash. I've just sanded and smoothed the rash to be less noticeable.

To answer your question, yes, mounting tires can easily damage a freshly repaired wheel. You can always request to have them mounted from the backside to minimize any damage to the front.

That seems absurdly pricy for a set of damaged stock wheels, maybe try craigslist? I don't know what wheels specifically you're looking for.
Do these work?
Or this generation?

Use JB Weld.

I've used that or another compound called Belzona. The latter is quite expensive and I used it because I had it, but JB Weld should be fine.

In reply to ¯_(ツ)_/¯:

Neither sadly. My problem is it's a second gen '06 SE model so it has the 17x7.5 wheels with the 6x114.3 (6x4.5) bolt pattern. I already have a set of year old General Grabber HT's for it otherwise I'd just switch sizes.

I should have just bought new wheels when I bought the snow tires but truck wheels these days are so ugly and I let indecisiveness get the best of me.

That sounds crazy high for those wheels in that condition. There are lots of choices in that bolt pattern. Check under Titan, or Tundra or even Chevy or GMC trucks.

Quick Search... '10 Titan 17"

NEALSMO wrote: I've never used bondo to fill curb rash. I've just sanded and smoothed the rash to be less noticeable. To answer your question, yes, mounting tires can easily damage a freshly repaired wheel. You can always request to have them mounted from the backside to minimize any damage to the front.

I agree about the Bondo. There is a reason that wheel repair shops have a tig welder on the premesis.

As to mounting from the back, you can certainly request it. Somebody at the front counter might even smile politely and agree to it. On the vast majority of wheels, though, its impossible.

Thanks everyone. I sort of figured that would be the case with body filler from my experience working with it. My background with wheels and tires is all on aircraft which utilize split rims. Totally different animal. I tend to pay people with the right equipment to mount and balance my automotive tires.

I'll hunt around some more, no one ever seems to list the bolt pattern in wheel ads which makes this more difficult than it should be... I might have someone I know in the Pittsburgh area pick up those Titan wheels.