Scrape on my aluminum wheel

[wlpncp]

So my wife just put a big long scrape on the edge of one of the aluminum wheels on our new car. Is there any way for me to repair this (at least minimize the visibility) without buying a new wheel of course?

 

[Kevin Cullen]

Is the wheel coated or bare aluminum? A picture would help some. If it is bare aluminum it possibly can be sanded out and polished. If it is coated then....?

 

[wlpncp]

Here are some pictures. Thanks for your help.

 

[BlackHawk]

Yea they look coated. Wheel refurbishing would be what I'd gravitate towards :/

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Ouch...I think there is a thread here somewhere about sanding/painting.

 

[g35_coupe]

Man, that is terrible. Honest mistake though. I have a few on two of my rims. Both were as pleasant as hearing bones break. There may be someone local that can refinish it. I haven't done mine since I'm worried about how wheel cleaners will affect a non-factory finish.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Here's another thread with a pretty good link in it for wheel repair:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/50043-curb-rash.html?highlight=curb

 

[cmoneyinc]

These guys are a national chain and they can work wonders. A friend of mine used them and they did a great job. They are a "mobile" company too so they come to you. And they are not that expensive for the results. I'd check them out and see if they have a branch near you:
Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists | The World's Largest Mobile Wheel Repair Company
:xyxthumbs:

 

[wlpncp]

Thanks to all for your comments. I'll contact Alloy Wheel Repair for an estimate. Any ideas on what a reasonable charge would be?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Oh, I thought you wanted to fix it yourself. You can go here Wheel Collision Center Bath PA- Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum Alloy Wheel Rim Sales & Alloy Wheel Rim Straightening Repair Refinishing & Recycling! - www.oemfactoryrimwheel.com Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum A and click on the "catalog" page and see what the trade-in cost is for a refurbed wheel.

 

[mikesal57]

So my wife just put a big long scrape on the edge of one of the aluminum wheels on our new car. Is there any way for me to repair this (at least minimize the visibility) without buying a new wheel of course?

Get an ax and go after her!!

:awman:

 

[St.LightDetails]

You can sand and refinish them yourself, but the process is rather time consuming. I have done it in the past on wheels I picked up cheaply. Mainly did it as a project to see if I could do it myself. I had to re-do the first wheel I refinished because it didn't come out well. All in all probably 30 hours of work for 3 wheels.

My advice would be to have the pros do it, typically the cost is minimal (compared to a new wheel) usually between 150 and 200 bucks, and most shops can have it done same day. Also, most shops will give you at least a 30-60 warranty on a wheel they have repaired incase it cracks or the finish isn't quite right.

 

[swanicyouth]

Make sure whoever repairs that wheel uses powder coating and not conventional spray type paint. If they use "paint", the finish will not be very durable. This is another "ask me how I know" situation.

I'm lucky enough to live somewhat close to Wheel Collision Center. They do great work and the finish is as good as factory IME.