Filling scratches/gouges in alloy wheels

[alexGS]

This is a similar subject to the thread below on DIY alloy respray help (incidentally, I reckon Wicked Wheels is the way to go, 65 pounds per wheel has got to be cheaper than buying new wheels and I have seen their work featured in magazines - it's excellent.)

Anyway - I don't usually visit this corner of the forum (I'm in the Uno section ) but I decided to ask this question to as many people as I could...

What do you use to fill in gouges/scratches in alloy wheels prior to repainting?

I'm not talking about the mint, amazing new alloy wheels in shadow chrome (or full-on chrome, or whatever it's called...) - I'm just talking about the older, silver-finish alloy wheels common ten years ago. I'm quite confident with the paint refinishing - I use silver wheel paint from a spraycan with a coat of 2K clear coat (as used for metallic paint) over the top.

But... the question is, for smoothing off the rim, do you use:
- Knead-it epoxy filler (saw this recommended in a magazine)
- Metal-fix body filler (the grey kind with the fibres)
- Ordinary body filler (pink bog once hardener is added)
- High-grade body filler ('glazing putty', also with hardener)

or... something else? Please don't suggest aluminium welding

Thanks,
-Alex

 

[coupedave]

When I did mine the other week I just used 1200 grade wet and dry on the minor scratched until they disappeared and normal car body filler onthe bigger ones.
Took the filler down with 600 grade and then 1200 grade wet and dry.
You can't see where the filler is now at all, even the guy I bought the wheels off couldn't tell which was which.
Was a bit worried about the edges when having the tyres refitted but nothing marked at all.

Dave

 

[integ]

When I did mine the other week I just used 1200 grade wet and dry on the minor scratched until they disappeared and normal car body filler onthe bigger ones.
Took the filler down with 600 grade and then 1200 grade wet and dry.
You can't see where the filler is now at all, even the guy I bought the wheels off couldn't tell which was which.
Was a bit worried about the edges when having the tyres refitted but nothing marked at all.

Dave

when you used 600 grade was it dry or wet sand paper?