Wheels are crucial safety items that often are damaged in collisions. A large industry has emerged that takes many of these damaged wheels and "remanufactures" them for reuse. The use of these "reman" wheels goes against the recommendations of the auto companies, as well as State and Federal regulations concerning the safety of your automobile.

During the unregulated remanufacturing process, aluminum is removed from the wheel. Removal of base material, as well as certain other remanufacturing techniques, can alter performance and durability, and raises safety concerns.

Keystone Ad

Alloy Wheel Remanufacturing
All Keystone wheels are refinished to "like new" condition. Our exclusive remanufacturing process includes the complete stripping of old finish, straightening and welding as needed, restoration of color to original shade and luster and even a new oven-baked powder coat to give a Keystone wheel a lifetime of beauty, performance and wear!

Now here are the position statements from auto companies:

General Motors: This bulletin updates General Motor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM does not endorse any repairs that involve welding, bending, straightening or re-machining. Only cosmetic refinishing of the wheel's coatings, using recommended procedures, is allowed. Any cracked wheels must not be refinished.

Ford does not approve the remanufacturing/ refinishing of steel or aluminum wheels when it involves re-machining, re-plating, welding, bending, straightening, reforming or adding new material other than cosmetic coatings.

Acura & Honda American Honda Motor Co, Inc. does not approve of any repair of steel or aluminum wheels that involves welding, bending hammering, straightening, re-machining, reforming, or adding new material.

DaimlerChrysler does not recommend that customers
use "reconditioned" wheels (wheels that have been damaged and repaired) because they can result in a sudden catastrophic wheel failure which could cause loss of control and result in injury or death.

Toyota does not approve of "reconditioning wheels" or endorse the use of reconditioned wheels on any Toyota, Lexus, or Scion vehicle. Use of any wheel or tire not recommended by Toyota may compromise safe motor vehicle operation, and cause loss of control which may result in injury or death.

The State and Federal government is opposed to welding and straightening of wheels:

MA Government
A certificate of rejection shall be issued to any vehicle submitted for inspection which exhibits any of the following conditions:

1. Any part of any mounted wheel is bent, cracked, rewelded, damaged or has elongated bolt holes which may affect safe operation of the vehicle.

Unfortunately, the tech performing the state safety inspection has no idea if your vehicle has an unsafe wheel on it.

Federal Government
Code of Federal Regulations
Sec. 570.10 Wheel assemblies. (a) Wheel integrity. A tire rim, wheel disc, or spider shall have no visible cracks, elongated bolt holes, or indication of repair by welding.