Cheap Wheel Repair

[BiscottiGelato]

Yes, I know about Nu Brite, Panther, Green... But all I want is someone to do this for me.

Another curb rash rim repair DIY (56K beware) - AcuraZine Community

I know it's not super durable. But short of wheel mounting/balancing, etc, if I don't curb these puppies again, I really don't need to powder coat them again, do I? I know it can be as cheap as $60 a rim in Toronto. Nothing like this in Vancouver Town?

[4444]

doing things like that on the cheap are stupid

and if you have curbed rims, i don't like your 'if' statement

do it properly or don't do it at all

[BiscottiGelato]

Thank you for your opinion. I am sorry that you do not like my 'if' statement. And yeah, I'm probably stupid. Thanks for pointing that out for me!

That said, I will appreciate it much more if someone has real long term experience on how things turned out after spot fixing rims like that. Or even better yet a cheap location that'd fix my rims up...

[4444]

Originally Posted by BiscottiGelato

Thank you for your opinion. I am sorry that you do not like my 'if' statement. And yeah, I'm probably stupid. Thanks for pointing that out for me!

That said, I will appreciate it much more if someone has real long term experience on how things turned out after spot fixing rims like that. Or even better yet a cheap location that'd fix my rims up...

awesome sarcasm

cheap work = shit work, just get it done at a reputable shop, or live to regret it.

you've already listed some good ones, and its not like its a lot of money ($100 or $200)

[BiscottiGelato]

For $200, i can just buy like-new used rims.

These are just OEMs, not some $1k per rim forged wheels. If there are some $60 bangers, i'll get them fixed up. Otherwise I'd most likely leave them as it is.

Back for more cheapo suggestions. Thx

[whitev70r]

Cheapest that I've gotten quotes for is about $120 per wheel. I didn't go for it because you can get some good condition used or cheap aftermarkets for around that price.

If you want a cheap solution or just touch up some curb rash, do it yourself, it's not that hard. I'm not particularly handy but I did 2 sets following DIY instructions.

[4444]

Originally Posted by BiscottiGelato

For $200, i can just buy like-new used rims.

These are just OEMs, not some $1k per rim forged wheels. If there are some $60 bangers, i'll get them fixed up. Otherwise I'd most likely leave them as it is.

Back for more cheapo suggestions. Thx

WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING?!?!

if they're "OEMs" and you don't give two shite about them, then just leave the curb damage and put your money to better things (i'd suggest an education fund)

and i love 'like-new used' a better oxymoron has never been used. something is new or used, not 'like-new' although idiots use that term when selling their used shit, and muppets lap it up "i got new shite for a used price - i'm awesome"

[Rich Sandor]

I've got a guy that comes by the dealer and does the wheel repair on our used inventory. He's mobile, and does really good work. His prices depend on how much work the wheel needs, but it's anywhere from $50 to $100.

The thing is, on a set of $2000 Porsche rims for a garage queen, I'm going to stick with Nu-Brite.. they do it right and it lasts..

BUT for rims I paid $400 dollars for the whole SET that's going on a track car, there's no fucking way I'm paying $125+ per wheel to refinish them. I'm either spray bombing them black myself, or I'm getting our mobile painter to do them for me. He does great work for the price and matches the original paint 99% (unless you are parked next to the same car with new OEM wheels, you can't tell ANY difference)

Let me know if you want his number, I'll get it on saturday.

[mmmk]

Originally Posted by Rich Sandor

I've got a guy that comes by the dealer and does the wheel repair on our used inventory. He's mobile, and does really good work. His prices depend on how much work the wheel needs, but it's anywhere from $50 to $100.

The thing is, on a set of $2000 Porsche rims for a garage queen, I'm going to stick with Nu-Brite.. they do it right and it lasts..

BUT for rims I paid $400 dollars for the whole SET that's going on a track car, there's no fucking way I'm paying $125+ per wheel to refinish them. I'm either spray bombing them black myself, or I'm getting our mobile painter to do them for me. He does great work for the price and matches the original paint 99% (unless you are parked next to the same car with new OEM wheels, you can't tell ANY difference)

Let me know if you want his number, I'll get it on saturday.

Let us know if this guy can give $50-100 prices to us first

I doubt he will because the $50-100 prices are for dealers. Dealers have so much used wheels for him to work on.

[Acura604]

I got 2 bent rims 'straightened' at WHEEL-FIXIT out in Surrey... $125 per wheel cash price/taxes in. i believe price would be the same for fixing curbage.

[melloman]

The DIY isn't bad. I've fixed curbage on my wheels. Not too hard at all, just like the link you posted.

[Cman333]

Originally Posted by BiscottiGelato

Thank you for your opinion. I am sorry that you do not like my 'if' statement. And yeah, I'm probably stupid. Thanks for pointing that out for me!

That said, I will appreciate it much more if someone has real long term experience on how things turned out after spot fixing rims like that. Or even better yet a cheap location that'd fix my rims up...

If you don't want to pay a wheel repair shop, you won't want to pay a shop $70/h to do it either. Wheel shops might charge $100-200/wheel.

These kind of mickey mouse repairs I think are meant for you to DIY. Matching the paint is a pain in the ass. Let alone, masking PROPERLY (unlike the dude in the link that got paint all over his tires). With the bumps that your wheels will take on a daily basis I doubt the bondo will hold up very long.

Personally I would probably leave it. @ $60/wheel...thats like halway to fix it properly. Do it right once, rather then fix it twice poorly.

You should post a pic of how badly rashed your wheels are.

[MindBomber]

Almost every one of 4444's posts comes across as condescending, whether it be in auto-chat or the business and financial forum. There's a way to express a contradictory opinion or give advice to someone who you feel is proceeding on an ill advised path without belittling them. Just felt the need to throw that out there.

Back on topic -

Biscotti, a few months ago Kwy asked a similar question. The quote below is my response to that thread. I have not personally used the company, so I cannot comment on quality or even confirm if they still offer the service. If you do contact them, please update the thread on whether they do though. If you make use of the service, please post the finished pictures. Lots of us have a cheap set of winter/track/craigslist wheels and wouldn't mind spending a bit for a cheap powder coating job.

I think this would be perfect for you..

Vancouver Integras -> Cheap powder coating

[4444]

Originally Posted by MindBomber

Almost every one of 4444's posts comes across as condescending, whether it be in auto-chat or the business and financial forum. There's a way to express a contradictory opinion or give advice to someone who you feel is proceeding on an ill advised path without belittling them. Just felt the need to throw that out there.

no, only my last one was condescending, first two were blunt - big difference. its a stupid question, which just got stupider when claims of 'they're just OEM, i can get replacement ones for next to nothing' were made


there's cheap, then there's stupid cheap, i think this is just stupid. wheels are something you just have to pay to get fix, or don't fix a bit of curb rash at all, especially if self inflicted (likely will just happen again)

i'm almost doing him a favour by saving him $50-$100 on a crap DIY job and then paying the $150 or so on a professional job. lets not forget the additional $100 isn't exactly world changing when ppl pay ICBC insurance rates & $1.4x a litre (i'm not complaining about either, just saying $100 is a drop in the bucket in relation to those two costs).

[Ando]

I did something similar to what was done in the that link. I bought bondo but ended up not using it, just sanded the rash and repainted all the rims so they'd match. Paint has help up pretty well. Up close you could see the areas where I have sanded up unless it's pointed out to you, no one would see it.

[Anjew]

Originally Posted by 4444

no, only my last one was condescending, first two were blunt - big difference. its a stupid question, which just got stupider when claims of 'they're just OEM, i can get replacement ones for next to nothing' were made

a shit attitude like discourages people from participating on RS, thanks.

[The_AK]

Alright this is a ridiculously old bump, but people who have DIY fixed their own curbed wheels what approach did you take and how has it held up over the years? I'll be refinishing mine soon.

[Dragon-88]

I bought a set of used rims online that had a bit of curb rash and the clear coat was peeling.. Wet sanded all the clear coat off. sanded down the curbage(all minor). I was going to repaint the clear, but I figuered to leave it bare and just polish it every year when I swap summers and winters.. Its held up great, but again I didnt paint.

[Oshiguru]

Originally Posted by The_AK

Alright this is a ridiculously old bump, but people who have DIY fixed their own curbed wheels what approach did you take and how has it held up over the years? I'll be refinishing mine soon.

On my old rx-8 wheels I did a DIY curb rash repair. I spent a lot of time sanding down all 4 wheels, then I used the cheapest spot putty from Canadian tire. Spent more time sanding then finally the primer and paint. The only thing I can say is take your time. The amount of prep you do will make or break the finish. The first wheel I did, I didn't wait a few days for the primer and paint to cure (just a few hours in the garage during summer) and the paint started to bubble after applying the clear. The other 3 I let sit for a week then cleared and they turned out good as new.

TLDR: Take your time and prep the wheels properly.

Also, don't be dumb like me and forget to wash your wheels after spraying them with car dealer wheel acid.