rob.rotor

I scraped about 10" of my rim on the curb this morning - ouch! What is the best way to fix this?

Can I use emory paper to smooth out the rough aluminum and then get wheel touch-up paint from the dealer?

Thanks

dwynne

I would call these folks:

http://www.wheelcollision.com/

and get a quote on getting it fixed right. Then call Mazmart or your local "auto recycler" (aka junk yard) and look for another rim. I have got them for other cars as low as $50 for alloys from the local places ($25 for steel wheels).

I don't think you will be able to do much to fix it yourself.

Dennis

Glyphon

if it is just a superficial rash on the rims, then get some 200grit, 400grit, and 600grit sandpaper, sand it smooth, then use some sunlight silver touchup paint to clean it up. sunlight silver isn't an exact match, but it is really close. dealer (or anyone that i've found) don't keep wheel touch up paint around. from a sherwin-williams automotive paint reference guide, the wheels should be one of these, but i don't know which on exactly it is...

Glyphon

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext43.shtml

a good, detailed workup on the process. depending on how bad it is, you might be able to leave out the putty step.

Kawi

So I finally buy new wheels and I did the exact same thing over the weekend. Thankfully it's just scrapes but i'm kicking myself that it happened. All the instructions I've seen are for painted wheels, but my scrape is just on the polished lip. Anyone have tips how to smooth out scrapes just on polished metal?

Glyphon

unless they are aftermarket or the oem chrome wheels, the lip isn't polished, its painted.

Kawi

Yeah they're aftermarket wheels. Guess I should have mentioned that.

Glyphon

well, you could just try sanding, just go up to fairly high grit sandpaper, like 2000 or 4000, and then finish it off with some polishing/rubbing compound. but if you don't want to chance it (and i definately don't make any guarantees), then you could always contact a wheel repair shop. depending on how bad it is, i'd expect to pay around $75-$100.

rob.rotor

Yah, I'm kicking myself in the ***. I've had the car since May 8 and always park away from the curb, sometimes too far.

Left for work this morning, mind concentrating on something else, and turned the wheel to sharply. I only scraped the lip about 10", but it bothers me. I keep the car immaculate.

I'll sand the roughtness down with varying degrees of paper. I already have Sunlight Silver touch-up because tha't the color of my 8.

Thanks for the advice.

bluesunlion

I have no idea where you're located, but these guys have about 6 locations nationwide.
www.fixrim.com

We've had work done there through a dealership, and the wheel came back looking brand new.

Dresdie

I just did this yesterday!!!! Darn street. Was going 2mph and SSSCCRRRAAAATTTCHHHHH came the sound. It was uneven pavement! It's so bad I'm just getting a new wheel. 175$ - not bad. Good luck and let us know how the touch up goes.

arr ex eight

hey Glyphon do u know if the paint suggested in ur link will be a match for our 8's?

Glyphon

i don't think it is, as i think it has a slight beige tint to it...but i'm not sure of that as i didn't use it when i took the rash off my rim. that link is just more for the process.

rob.rotor

I used my Sunlight Silver touchup bottle. The paint goes on translucent and does a pretty good match.

Flop

Where'd you get that deal?

EyeBall Fixer...(o)(x)

Here is detailed instructions on how to repair your rim rash.

RimRepair.zip

Rac3r_X

www.bettercarcare.com
This is handy site with soem good info as well.

bluezen8

I found a fairly good touch up paint to match the silver stock wheels. Dupli-Color TY01602 (Lunar Mist Metallic) from Kragen is pretty close to the original silver. The roller ball tip supplied with the tube works much better than a brush too.

loco-8

Happened to me, too. I was getting accustomed to the stickshift and it cut off on me uphill. Insert flame here. My first 2 days of ownership. Scraped the tire too. Curb had metal surface. Ouch.
Mazda dealers see it during oil changes, whatever. Ask If I want to buy a new tire/rim. Uh, no thanks. Keep 250 for tire and same for rim to myself thanks.
Hazard protection works only if things are on the road that don't belong. Curbs, obviously belong.
Next logical thought:
So if I stab the same tire with a nail, I get a new one free?........hmm.........

Glyphon

lol...now that you posted it here, i'm going to go with no :p

Hyperborea

No, the paint that is mentioned on that site is the Wurth's silver. That is the OEM colour for Porsche wheels. I have a set of Porsche 968 wheels in the garage and have compared them to the RX-8. The wheels on the RX-8 seem greyer and the match isn't that close.

nedor

It just happened to me. Car is 2 days old with 162 miles. I drove the car to an area with bright sunlight to take some picture of my 2 day old RX8. This was a bad idea.

1. I ended up scraping the rim when trying to park the car
2. When closely examining the shift ****, there are scraches and a very noticeable dent on the top.
3. Car has swirles and noticable lines over the paint when looking at it in an angle.
4. 4 paint drips 1/4 to 1/2 inch.

Nedor

spork

The worst part of washing your car is finding all the scratches and dings you've accumalated.

I found that I also have scratched one of my rims.
I've got this small dent on the lower part of my driver door. No scratches at all, just slightly dented. I have no idea how I got it. Maybe someone kicked my door lightly or something.
I've got scratches and dings in random places.

yankeehick

i just bought my white water pearl 8 a month ago and the dealership asked me if I wanted tirepro, an insurance policy for my wheels and tires. If at any time, I damage the rim OR the tire, they will replace everything for free. It was an extra $300 for the entire term of my finance. It was well worth the extra 6 bucks a month incase something happens. I would ask about tire pro.

dwill9578

Some granite jumped out and scuffed my rim, I'm pissed. Too look on the bright side if it didn't hurt the suspension or shake the car when driving it could be worse. I'm just buying a slightly used one. Tire pro sounds like a good idea