Mercedes-Benz GLS Wheel Repair & Painting Review

Luxury Wheels Aren't Immune to Damage

The 24-inch Brabus forged wheels on this Mercedes-Benz GLS are premium products crafted using OEM standards by a renowned German wheel manufacturer. With a price tag of millions of Korean Won per wheel, many owners opt for repair over replacement when damage occurs. Today, we reveal the secrets to high-end wheel restoration through a perfect repair case of these Brabus forged wheels.

Forged vs. Cast Wheels: What's the Difference?

Wheels are primarily manufactured using two methods: casting and forging. Standard car wheels are made using the 'casting' method, where molten metal is poured into a mold. In contrast, the 'forging' method involves heating steel to high temperatures and then compressing it into shape. This results in a denser, significantly stronger wheel.

The main advantages of forged wheels are reduced weight and superior durability. For the same size, they are lighter and more resistant to impact than cast wheels, minimizing deformation during high-speed driving or sudden braking. However, the manufacturing cost is substantially higher, limiting their use to luxury cars or custom builds. Brabus's M Platinum Edition wheels are top-tier examples of this forged construction.

Restoring forged wheels is considerably more challenging than cast wheels. Their high density requires meticulous control during surface treatment, and the heat treatment process must maintain the wheel's original strength while applying the new coating.

How to Restore 24-Inch Brabus Forged Wheels

This particular service involved repairing a single wheel. While restoring all four ensures consistency, repairing just one high-value wheel presents the intricate challenge of minimizing color deviation from the remaining wheels.

The process begins with removing the wheel from the vehicle. Handling 24-inch wheels requires extra care due to their size. The tire size, 295/35/24 inches, is significantly larger than that of a typical compact car.

After removal, the surface undergoes a detailed inspection. We check the location, depth, and any cracks in the scratches to formulate a repair plan. For Brabus wheels, it's crucial to protect the milled areas without damaging them during the process.

Removal → Cleaning → Heat Treatment These three steps are the core of wheel repair. Heat treatment is especially critical; without it, the coating can peel off later when exposed to high temperatures during driving. Forged wheels, due to their density, have good heat resistance, but conversely, paint adhesion is poor without proper heat treatment.

Heat treatment is conducted between 250-350℃, with the temperature and duration adjusted based on the wheel's type and material. This process ensures the paint fully cures onto the wheel surface and remains stable under high-temperature conditions during operation.

The final stage after heat treatment is 'clear coating.' This step applies a transparent protective layer over the paint, serving not just as a finish but as a crucial element for UV protection and surface durability.

The quality and uniformity of the clear coat determine the final appearance. Professional high-end wheel repair specialists use 'air spray' techniques to create a very thin and even layer, preserving the original wheel's luster and texture.

Wheel Balancing and Final Installation

The most critical process after restoration is 'wheel balancing.' 24-inch wheels have significant rotational mass, and even a 1-gram imbalance can cause vibrations at high speeds. Precision balancing equipment measures and corrects the weight distribution at every point around the wheel.

Once all restoration work is complete, the wheel is reinstalled on the vehicle.