First time I scratched my rims.

[plumcrazy]

today I lost my mind somehow and wasnt paying attention to what the heck I was doing while pulling up to the local coffee shop and rubbed the asphalt curb with the front passenger side wheel. I cant believe I did it. but guess it was gonna happen one day. scraped up about 8" of the very outter rim. (not that noticeable)

my question is has anyone else tried to fix theirs and if so how did you do it and how did it turn out. I know there are people who do this professionally but id like to try it myself first. any ideas???

 

[Tom and Vipers]

I was thinking about how to solve this.

If I didn't have a lathe large enough to chuck the wheel and simple machine of a thin layer, I think I would chuck the wheel on the rear and turn it using the engine. Run a file over the area, and then polish with progressively finer sandpaper. Then clear coat it.

That may sound pretty crude but if done carefully, I don't think anyone could see it.

 

[Jerome Sparich]

Sorry to hear about your wheel. I can't help you on doing it yourself but here is a place to keep in mind.

http://www.wheelcollision.com/

 

[ViperJohn]

There are several companies that can repair the wheel. I have come across quite a few cars that have had the wheels reconditioned due to excessive curb scrapping. I have always noticed it. The edges will not be as crisp as the original wheel. A repaired wheel looks a hell of a lot better than a damaged. And truth be told, most people will never notice it.

Good Luck

 

[Ulysses]

Bummer, Phil. It happens a lot though. I had my rims repaired, only one came out noticeable, but only to me.

 

[Magicboy2]

I posted on this a loong while back, and people had recommended some places that will fix them for like $100/wheel, and they seemed satisfied...

 

[prevnine11ownr]

If its just the outter lip, take a flat file and file it down till its smooth.. It polishes up again and its really hard to notice. I know ive done it !

 

[joe117]

Try to fix it yourself if you want, it can be done the way these guys are saying but the problem will be clearcoating it so it look's good and stays good. Spray can clear might not stay clear and might not stay on.

The other thing to remember is that there are often single wheels on ebay. You shouldn't have to pay too much for a perfect one and then you can sell your old one on ebay if you like.
That round trip might cost less than getting someone to fix it.

 

[Got Venom]

Plumcrazy,

I did the same thing this weekend, only worse. I passed a friends house, saw him, put it in reverse, backed up real fast, and thought I was way away from concrete curb. I left a mark about 2 feet long in the curb. It went about 60% around my rim. Everybody that knows me knows I keep my car immaculate with 30 coats of Zaino etc. So I drove home and fixed it myself. I put duct tape around the rim just inside the lip, so I could sand only the lip. I used 150 grit to knock it down, then I used 400 grit, then some 1200 grit paper. Then I used Mother's Mag Polish. You do not need to clear coat the lip. If you regularly use Zaino on your wheels, they will stay nice looking forever. The wheels look so much shinier with Mother's on them , I wish I could strip the clear coat off, and just keep them shiney myself. I know they would never corrode, as much as I keep them clean. Plus, do not worry about scuffing the tire. As long as you don't sand the hell out of it, tire black will make it look o.k. again.

 

[plumcrazy]

Got Venom, thats what I was thining of trying myself. im glad you liked the outcome. I'l let ya know how it works out

 

[Jeff Torrey]

I suggest you take it into a tire shop, make sure it's not bent. I scratched one last year, figured it was fine. Bought a new set of Pilots, tire shop had a hard time balancing the rim (not to mention the shake in the rear view mirror going down the road).

 

[Mr U-2]

Had a similiar incident...though smaller. I've got one of those variable speed rotary tools I was going to use...anybody ever try using one of those?

Paul

 

[plumcrazy]

mr, that might work too. but gonna have to hit it with some fine paper afterwards I think.

I know its NOT bent, I hit 145 today. and not a shake at all....very smooth

 

[Walt McFarland]

I hear you about the sick feeling this causes.

I drive the car a lot and keep a spare front and rear wheel. Periodically, I rotate the scratched ones out and send to Ye Old Wheel Shop in Maryland and replace with the spares.

System is working so far.

 

[plumcrazy]

I might have to do that walt. im sick over it.

 

[joe117]

Dremmel tools are not much good for anything. The attachments, disk, wheel... are too small.
Aluminum tends to stick in any kind of high speed tool.

I think files and sandpaper and then the Mother's or Semichrome is the way to go. If you are going to do it yourself.

 

[Walt McFarland]

I hear you. The bad part about my system is the added expense. The good part is that every spring I rotate--get to be new again.

Jon B, found me a good price on single wheels and a local guy will do the swap for $20.