Accidentally scratched my wheel :(

[Lakitu]

I'm sad. This morning as I was cruising to a stop before making a right-hand turn after on-coming traffic, I was somehow too close to the curb on the right and my wheel (dark chromium-plated) rubbed against very briefly. I have NO IDEA how I ended up that close to the curb, I thought I had more than enough clearance but I guess not. The scratch is about 3 inches long, and about a quarter of an inch thick. It's not noticeable unless you are a foot or so close up and looking directly at the tire. Is this repairable or do I need a whole new wheel? I feel like such a bad driver.

[Rakshaa]

I'm afraid the car might be totalled

[Rakshaa]

Originally Posted by Lakitu

I'm sad. This morning as I was cruising to a stop before making a right-hand turn after on-coming traffic, I was somehow too close to the curb on the right and my wheel (dark chromium-plated) rubbed against very briefly. I have NO IDEA how I ended up that close to the curb, I thought I had more than enough clearance but I guess not. The scratch is about 3 inches long, and about a quarter of an inch thick. It's not noticeable unless you are a foot or so close up and looking directly at the tire. Is this repairable or do I need a whole new wheel? I feel like such a bad driver.

In all seriousness though, if it is just a scratch a good rim shop could likely repair it. Keep in mind they may charge up to a couple hundred $$$, so just weigh your options (ie. Fix it, new wheel, or just accept it and move on since it is cosmetic).

Pictures would definitely help people here who can give you some advice.

I remember when I first got my car, within a couple months someone in a parking lot smacked my front fender hard enough to leave a massive dent with the paint completely gone (despite me parking well away from everyone, they still parked next to me). I was devastated, but over time I realised this crap happens all the time and you can only do so much to take care of your car.

Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy the great car you have

[KnightRyderx2]

The best is to contact a wheel repair shop and ask them. I would contact a few around there as one shop may have experience with this type of finish and another may not. I'm not sure how they would repair it since chrome is a plating process and cannot just be sanded down to blend then re-polished. Is it like the SBC for Enkei wheels?

[8RZ]

Touch-up paint.

[Vital]

nicks and scratches are bound to happen wait till you get rock chips and scratches on the body. In all seriousness stuff and you cant keep worrying about it or else you'll never enjoy the car

[NyC Zn6]

Is it the factory wheel? if so you did yourself a favor lol jk. The metallic finish might be hard to replicate if you get them refinished. Factory wheels are going for pretty cheap which is another solution.

[funwheeldrive]

OEM wheels are stupid cheap

[8RZ]

Congrats, you just added "character."

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Lakitu

I'm sad............... I feel like such a bad driver.

.........snap out of it, Lakitu ....... you're "overthinking" this whole owning a new car thing ......

From now on, just stay back further from curbs .......

Your car is not the only car out there that has curb rash.

Like mentioned above, relax and just enjoy driving your car.

Note: When I had my miata, I had two sets of OEM wheels (for summer and winter). So, when I switched them, I could tell which ones went on the right side ...... by the curb rash on the rims ......


humfrz

[Tcoat]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoitegszoRc"]Rod Stewart - The First Cut Is the Deepest - YouTube[/ame]

[Mr.Impreza]

Originally Posted by Lakitu

I feel like such a bad driver.

We have all hit our cars on the curb buddy! Don't sweat it!

Unless it's bent, you should be fine driving with it. The OEM wheels sell for extremely cheap on the forums so if you ever decide to replace the set, I suggest buying from here since the dealer will charge a hefty price!

[FRS_FIEND]

It could be worse you could have $2600 advans (w/only a month of owning them) and get a 2 in. scratch on the longest dennys parking lot curb EVER! Good news is that I'm over it and I even forget it's there now. youlll be alright trust me ����

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Mr.Impreza

We have all hit our cars on the curb buddy! Don't sweat it!

Unless it's bent, you should be fine driving with it. The OEM wheels sell for extremely cheap on the forums so if you ever decide to replace the set, I suggest buying from here since the dealer will charge a hefty price!

I haven't! Or at least not my wheels. Don't look to closely at my mud guards though.


The FRS I test drove was so badly curb rashed that I don't know how the hell it still held air.


The stock wheels are so cheap that there have been at least two threads here saying to just come take them away for free.