Apparatus and method for reconditioning an automotive wheel

Abstract

A method of refurbishing a damaged section of the outer rim bead of an automotive wheel. The method comprises the initial step of contouring the outer rim bead via a first grinding process to create a feathered transition between the damaged section and the remainder of the outer rim bead. Thereafter, the damaged section is profiled via a second grinding process to generally conform the shape of the damaged section to the remainder of the outer rim bead. Finally, the damaged section is painted. The refurbishment steps may be completed on-site without removing the wheel from the vehicle and without removing the tire from the wheel.

1 . In an automotive wheel having a outer rim bead, a method of refurbishing a damaged section of the outer rim bead comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contouring the outer rim bead via a first grinding process to create a feathered transition between the damaged section and the remainder of the outer rim bead, the first grinding process being completed through the use of a flapwheel comprising: 
 a central hub; and  
 a multiplicity of elongate, abrasive flaps which each include an inner end attached to the hub and an outer end having an arcuate recess formed therein;  
   (b) profiling the damaged section via a second grinding process which is completed through the use of the flapwheel to generally conform the shape of the damaged section to the remainder of the outer rim bead; and    (c) painting the damaged section.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein steps (a)-(c) are completed with the wheel being mounted to a vehicle.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein steps (a)-(c) are completed with a tire being mounted to the wheel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: 
 (1) applying an adhesion promoter to the damaged section;  
 (2) applying a basecoat to the adhesion promoter; and  
 (3) applying a clearcoat to the basecoat.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein: 
 step (1) comprises applying a transparent adhesion promoter to the damaged section; and  
 step (3) comprises applying a catalyzed clearcoat to the basecoat.  
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein step (3) comprises applying a VOC compliant, catalyzed urethane to the basecoat.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein steps (1)-(3) are completed through the use of an application device selected from the group consisting of: 
 a HVLP spray gun; and  
 an airbrush gun.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the outer rim bead is of a particular bead radius, and step (a) comprises completing the first grinding process through the use of a flapwheel wherein the recess within the outer end of each of the flaps thereof is of a flap radius which is substantially equal to the bead radius.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) comprises: 
 attaching the flapwheel to a hand tool selected from the group consisting of: 
 a high rpm pneumatic hand tool; and  
 an electric laminate trimmer.  
 
 
     
     
         10 . In an automotive wheel having an outer rim bead, a method of refurbishing a damaged section of the outer rim bead comprising the steps of: 
 (a) profiling the damaged section via a grinding process to generally conform the shape thereof to the remainder of the outer rim bead, the grinding process being completed through the use of a flapwheel comprising: 
 a central hub; and  
 a multiplicity of elongate, abrasive flaps which each include an inner end attached to the hub and an outer end having an arcuate recess formed therein;  
   (b) painting the damaged section.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein steps (a) and (b) are completed with a tire being mounted to the wheel and the wheel being mounted to a vehicle.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein step (b) comprises the steps of: 
 (1) applying a transparent adhesion promoter to the damaged section;  
 (2) applying a basecoat to the adhesion promoter; and  
 (3) applying a catalyzed clearcoat to the basecoat.  
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the outer rim bead is of a particular bead radius, and step (a) comprises completing the grinding process through the use of a flapwheel wherein the recess within the outer end of each of the flaps thereof is of a flap radius which is substantially equal to the bead radius.  
     
     
         14 . In an automotive wheel which is mounted to a vehicle and has a tire mounted thereto, a method of refurbishing a damaged section of an outer rim bead of the wheel without removing the wheel from the vehicle and without removing the tire from the wheel, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) contouring the outer rim bead via a first grinding process to create a feathered transition between the damaged section and the remainder of the outer rim bead;    (b) profiling the damaged section via a second grinding process to generally conform the shape of the damaged section to the remainder of the outer rim bead; and    (c) painting the damaged section.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein steps (a) and (b) comprise completing the first and second grinding processes through the use of a flapwheel comprising: 
 a central hub; and  
 a multiplicity of elongate, abrasive flaps which each include an inner end attached to the hub and an outer end having an arcuate recess formed therein.  
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the outer rim bead is of a particular bead radius, and steps (a) and (b) comprise completing the first and second grinding processes through the use of a flapwheel wherein the recess within the outer end of each of the flaps thereof is of a flap radius which is substantially equal to the bead radius.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein step (c) comprises the steps of: 
 (1) applying a transparent adhesion promoter to the damaged section;  
 (2) applying a basecoat to the adhesion promoter; and  
 (3) applying a catalyzed clearcoat to the basecoat.  
 
     
     
         18 . A flapwheel for use in the refurbishment of a damaged section of an outer rim bead of an automotive wheel, the flapwheel comprising: 
 a central hub; and    a multiplicity of elongate, abrasive flaps which each include an inner end attached to the hub and an outer end having an arcuate recess formed therein.    
     
     
         19 . The flapwheel of  claim 18  wherein the outer rim bead is of a particular bead radius, and the recess within the outer end of each of the flaps of the flapwheel is of a flap radius which is substantially equal to the bead radius.  
     
     
         20 . The flapwheel of  claim 18  further in combination with a hand tool selected from the group consisting of: 
 a high rpm pneumatic hand tool; and  
 an electric laminate trimmer.