Wheel Repair Needed

Boongie

New member
Hi Everybody...I have not been here for a while. I just bought a 2010 Toyota Camry XLE with the factory alloy wheels. One of the wheels has some scuffs near the outer edge where the previous owner probably hit a curb. I went on-line and found numerous companys that do alloy wheel repair. Some are mobile and come out to the car owner and some are drive in where you have to leave the car (or wheel) overnight. Most look like franchises. Can anyone recommend a company? I live in a suburb northwest of Chicago. Obviously, I don't want the appearance of the repaired wheel to not match the other three.

Thanks!
 
I can't really help with a recommendation as I have mine redone by companies that my dealers use (Ford dealer uses one shop, Porsche/Audi dealer uses another). But FWIW, to get it done right I'd sure expect to let them have the wheel for a while. Fixing (significant) curb rash isn't something that gets done in a few minutes.



Hold it, OK, I found this- here's the shop my Ford dealer uses- Link: Blackburn's Wheelfinder



Their work isn't quite as nice as the other shop, but I'm pretty confident that most, uhm...normal people...would be quite satisfied. Note they also sell already-refinished wheels (hint hint..you might order one and see if it's to your satisfaction).
 
Replacement costs for an alloy wheel can cost a hundred plus dollars per wheel + 3-4 days without the vehicle, but the restoration of your scuffed alloys and scraped wheel rims makes your whole car look pristine again



• Wheel Collision Center –http//:Wheel Collision Center Bath PA- Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum Alloy Wheel Rim Sales & Alloy Wheel Rim Straightening Repair Refinishing & Recycling! - [url]www.oemfactoryrimwheel.com Excellence in Refinished/Used Factory OEM Aluminum A[/url]

• Wheels America 8004-Fix-Rim – Powder coat Finish - Wheels America Wheel Repair

• Mobile Wheel Repair (US, UK) - Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists | The World's Largest Mobile Wheel Repair Company

• Wheel Repair UK - http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/...ce_details.php.



Be cognizant that serious damage to a wheel may affect the vehicle’s alignment and subsequent steering, always check for structural damage (i.e. surface cracks) or deformed rims, which should always be replaced. Shop cosmetic / appearance wheel repair- approx. $100 –150 per wheel, usually 48 hours (dependent upon geographical area)
 
Boon, another consideration might be to get a re-finished wheel and they sometimes do a core exchange to keep costs down.



I've used a couple repair different operations in my local area. Things never end up as you might hope for. If you're not a perfectionist, the repair might be "fine".



Wheels America has a very good reputation and is a preferred vendor today. However, that involves you mounting/dis-mounting the wheel and sending it to them...and waiting for it to be returned ... This is the most effort and most time but is likely to yield a re-finished product that matches the other three wheels.
 
Thanks all for the responses. Do you know if a repair to a curb scuff requires the refinishing of the entire wheel, or just the spot where the scuff is located? The scuff on my wheel is 3/4" by 1/2"...just enough to bother me, considering that the other three wheels are scuff-free.
 
That level of repair / renovation maybe within the realm of resonable DIY repair skill, provided there is no structural damage (just an alternative suggestion)



TOGWT® Autopia Detailing Wiki - “Repairing / Renovation of Scratched or Curbed Wheelsâ€� -http://www.autopia.org/forum/guide-...tion-scratched-curbed-wheels.html#post1451320




If you have any questions about this article or the techniques used, please let me know or feel free to send me a PM
 
Boongie said:
Thanks all for the responses. Do you know if a repair to a curb scuff requires the refinishing of the entire wheel, or just the spot where the scuff is located?



Time for a foto of the wound !!
 
tom p. said:
Time for a foto of the wound !!



Right. Different rims are different. A few of my rims require true professional expertise for any curb-rash repairs, while others are easily DIYable.
 
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021313_6685_zps5bb26c08.jpg.html




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Hi: I am trying to show pictures of the Camry wheel...hope I did this right!
 
Personally, I'd yank that wheel off, get some silver touch up paint and test your skills! That's really not too bad assuming it's the extent of the damage we're discussing.
 
tom p. said:
Personally, I'd yank that wheel off, get some silver touch up paint and test your skills! That's really not too bad assuming it's the extent of the damage we're discussing.



Having seen the pic, I'm inclined to agree with you. No, I wouldn't settle for that on some vehicles, but on many/most I'd at least give it a try.
 
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