What to Do If the Car Wheel Hub is Scratched?
3 Answers
Solutions for scratched car wheel hubs: 1. Inspect the scratch. If it hasn't reached the inner side of the hub, it can be easily repaired. Use paint thinner to clean around the scratch and remove dirt; 2. For deep scratches where dirt is hard to remove, use a toothpick to thoroughly clean it; 3. To avoid accidentally painting unaffected areas, carefully apply masking tape around the scratch; 4. Shape the brush tip and apply touch-up paint. The paint will shrink slightly as it dries, so apply it slightly raised; 5. It takes about a week for the paint to fully dry. After drying, use waterproof paper soaked in soapy water to smooth the surface; 6. After wiping with waterproof paper, use a compound to restore shine, then apply wax.
My car's wheel rim got scratched against the curb while parallel parking two days ago, leaving several noticeable marks. When handling it myself, I first cleaned the rim thoroughly, then used 800-grit sandpaper with water to gently smooth out the burrs, followed by 1500-grit sandpaper to finely blend the transition areas. The wheel rim repair kit I bought online contained professional filler paste - I mixed the repair compound like squeezing toothpaste to fill the dents, then leveled it with a scraper. After drying, I sprayed on metal primer and matching topcoat (remember to protect the tire and brake disc with newspaper before painting). Though some traces remain after repair, it looks much better than before, costing less than 50 yuan total. For minor scratches, I recommend DIY repairs to save time visiting repair shops.
Don't rush to the repair shop and waste money when your alloy wheels get scratched - I know this well. Minor scuffs on aluminum wheels can be fixed yourself with a wheel repair kit costing just 20-30 yuan. Remember to thoroughly clean the wheel surface first and use painter's tape to protect the tire edges. For deep scratches, apply polishing compound in circular motions repeatedly - same principle as seasoning a wok. Light marks just need transparent repair fluid, as easy as applying hand cream. Be patient during the painting process - 3-4 thin coats give the most natural finish. If the scratch happens to be on the wheel spoke edges, it's best to do a wheel balance after repair. Develop the habit of checking curb distances with peripheral vision while driving to avoid many unnecessary minor scrapes.
