Yesterday I grabbed a set of wheels and tires for my son's Civic for the princely sum of $30. The wheels have a good deal of surface rust, and the tires are shot but I'm planning to have him finish destroy them with some panic stop/threshold braking training.
Before:
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To me it looks like the bead seat is intact, and it holds air.
My son tried a few whacks with a 2lb hammer and a piece of steel rod, which didn't do much.
Bigger hammer? Leave it as is? He was going to use a pair of water pump pliers, but I can't see that working.
Here's another one after some quality time with wire wheel and primer:
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Dismount, use crescent wrench to bend it back, or just leave it alone.
More time with a hammer, a friend took a hammer to some otherwise nice and rare set of alu wheels. I told him it will never be straight or balance out yada yada..I was wrong and they look perfect.
bigger hammer.
I've bent a few wheels back to straight(erish) in my life. It takes a lot of work with a hand sledge. It takes even more work with a non-marring hammer. Since you will refinish after, use a solid face.
cdowd
HalfDork
8/7/15 12:12 p.m.
big hammer and a cold chisel is what i used and alot of small adjustments.
I put the pointy edge of a cross peen hammer where i want contact then whack on it with a mini sledge. They get close enough like that.
In crafting my reply, I've discovered a virtually infinite supply of Clarkson memes. Who knew?
BFH. I've done it on the side of the road.
My drawer like that is labeled "Harley Wrenches."
Raze
UltraDork
8/7/15 1:17 p.m.
I've always bent them back with small sledges. Always straightens out.
SVreX
MegaDork
8/7/15 3:04 p.m.
Huh. I am surprised no one has mentioned my method...
Use a block of 2x4 about a foot long and a small sledge hammer, and set the block against the bent lip. Pound block (so the 1 1/2" face is hitting the rim). Work it around as needed.
It's very simple, and avoids the hammer dents.
And yes, you want a bigger hammer (although I've done it with a 3 lb.). You want something that will dead blow against the wood block, not bounce off easily.
NOHOME
UberDork
8/7/15 3:16 p.m.
Not just hammer dents, but you will also stretch the metal as you beat on it.
Of all the ideas, I like the crescent wrench one the best. Failing that, I would be looking at a method to "push" the lip back into place using a press or a clamp.
SVreX
MegaDork
8/7/15 3:25 p.m.
The crescent wrench sounds like an excellent method to create a lovely scalloped edge. 
Why bother wheeling and painting if they are Junkers?
Also, kudos to you for TEACHING the cars limits. I had to find my cars limits the "fun but dangerous" way. At age 16. I look back on those memories and giggle. Not because they were fun. Because I scoff at still being alive. I feel like I've cheated death waaaayyyyy too many times.
Block is a good idea.
Trackmouse, thanks! I'm sending him to Street Survival in a few weeks as well, he tends to learn more from people who are not his father, but maybe some tire smoke and handbrake turns will help abit.
I'm having him paint these partly for experience in doing stuff and sweat equity, and partly because the car needs a set of non-winter tires anyway.
Lol I know exactly what you mean about "father teaches son" I didn't learn to play drums until I had a private instructor.
I've seen stuff dented to about this point off road...
(Not my pic, just example)
Using a hammer and it held air and worked well enough for the ride home(300mi away). Speed wobble limited to 55mph though 
In reply to flatlander937:
That's impressive!
OK we've made progress. Actually ended up using a combination of crescent wrench and BFM. Here's where it stands now, and he just left to do some stuff with his friends. Still needs to be cleaned up some more before painting.
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