I had a set of old 1985 AMG 16" rims refinished. They were painted, turned on a lathe then clearcoated. Now there is a pore or pinhole in the casting that is leaking about 3 lbs a day. Does anyone have experience in fixing these? Please advise!

Steve
'1985 500SL Euro with complete AMG appearance package.

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Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si

With such a tiny hole I think any of the above methods should work, or use silicone sealant. Welding would be the most secure and permanent but I would bet that epoxy or silicone would do fine.

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'96 E 3 2 0 (W 2 1 0) M 1 0 4 (Totalled)
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2004 Audi A8L
'98 VW Passat 1.8T 5M
'87 Alfa Romeo Milano 2.5L 5M
'67 Impala convertible, 327cid

You have to get the area to be treated free of paint, etc., and paint on the JBWeld from the inside over the porous area and let it start to harden. Then remount the tire and let the pressure force the JBWeld into the porosity. JBWeld has better resistance to high temperatures radiated by the brake disks than most other possible compounds.

I would like to weld it but it is on the lip of the rim. I couldn't grind it off without opening the hole and a a toolmaker told me it would be subject to cracking. It is in the worst spot, where the bead seats. I will give JB Weld a try and report back.

Steve
'85 500SL Euro

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Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si

wouldn't welding cause other problems? By heating that small location the surrounding area would harden (annealing ), loosing its maleable properties and risking a crack?

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'02 C240
'00 LR Discovery
'72 280SE
'67 280SL

---past---

'79 280E sold (RIP)
'86 300E sold
'87 300SDL sold
'90 Laforza sold
'95 320SE sold
'98 ML 320 (sold)

If you weld aluminum, you will lose the temper in the alloy. Tempering is what gives the alloy strength. The weld heat zone will become softer and will definitely show cosmetically. It will be very hard to polish it to look like the rest of the lip. Try the other methods first. Also some aluminum alloys have very poor weldability and you would want to know what alloy the rims were before you started.
Good luck, there is nothing more annoying than having to fill you tires every couple of days. Been there.
Leebyrum