Slightly Bent Aluminum Wheel

[Matt42]

I've been collecting some of the dimpled aluminum wheels to make up a whole set. For $20, I bought one that has no trace of peeling or corrosion anywhere. Unfortunately, the inner edge is bent outward about 1/8 inch in one spot. It's as if the PO drove it up a curb edge and only impacted that part. It looks otherwise good and passed the roll test on a flat surface. Can it be salvaged?

I used to save steel wheels in this condition, but aluminum is not something I know about.

I figured for $20 I could whack it back into shape with a hardwood block and a hammer or at worst have a nice looking hose reel.

[quicksilverdon]

I had one bent more than that - it bent enough that is caused a blow-out, and It was hammered back and I'm using it now.
I figured I had nothing to lose - if it cracked, I'd need a new wheel - which if I didn't try was guaranteed.
I did have another that cracked in a pothole - it makes a patio umbrella base....