What to Do When Wheel Rims Are Scratched by Curb?
2 Answers
If the wheel rims are scratched by the curb, they should be repaired as soon as possible. The specific steps for repair are as follows: 1. Inspect the damage. If the inner part of the rim is not affected, you can simply use paint thinner to clean the area around the scratch to remove dirt; 2. For the deepest part of the scratch, it may be difficult to remove dirt. In this case, use a toothpick to thoroughly clean it; 3. To avoid painting unrelated areas, carefully apply adhesive tape around the scratch; 4. Prepare the tip of a brush and apply touch-up paint. Since the paint will shrink as it dries, apply it slightly raised; 5. After painting, allow it to dry completely, which may take about a week. Once dry, use water-resistant paper soaked in soapy water to smooth the surface; 6. After wiping with water-resistant paper, use a compound to restore shine, then apply wax. For deeper scratches, the key is to check whether the metal surface is exposed. If the metal surface is not visible, rust will not occur, and you can apply touch-up paint.
I was so heartbroken when I scraped my wheel rim against the curb last time! Actually, it depends on how severe the scratches are. Light scratches are basically fine to ignore since the rim is made of alloy and won't rust. If the scrape is deep enough to expose the metal, you should take it to a professional wheel repair shop. They'll fill it with putty, re-machine it, and repaint it—good as new. I recommend buying a set of rim protectors; they cost just a few dozen bucks and can prevent secondary damage. When parking, try not to get too close to the curb—repairing this thing costs around 300-400 RMB a pop. If the rim is deformed, don't drive with it; replace it immediately for safety.
