How to Fix Scraped Rims

No matter how good of a driver you are, there's a good chance you've curbed or scraped your wheels. This is one of the worst feelings for a car enthusiast and can become very expensive to fix. Professional fixes for curb rash can easily cost you hundreds of dollars. If you decide to replace the damaged wheel, that can cost a ton as well.

How to Fix Curb Rash on Rims

In this article, we're going to show you how to fix curb rash without taking it to the shop. While the process isn't hard, it can be time-consuming. This process might not be for you if you don't have the time to carefully repair and restore your wheels.

It's a good idea to dismount your tire from the wheel before trying to fix the curb rash. You can damage your tire during the sanding process if you leave it on the wheel. If you can't get your tire dismounted, be very careful not to damage it with the die grinder or sandpaper.

• Die Grinder
• Masking Tape
• 80-Grit Sandpaper Disc
• 120-Grit Sandpaper Disc
• 320-Grit Sandpaper
• 400-Grit Sandpaper
• 600-Grit Sandpaper
• 800-Grit Sandpaper
• 1000-Grit Wet Sandpaper
• Small Tray
• Polishing Compound
• Clean Rags

Step 1: Apply Masking Tape

Apply masking tape on the areas of the wheel that aren't damaged or have curb rash. This protects your wheel's finish from being unnecessarily scuffed up by the sandpaper.

Step 2: Assess the Damage

Run your finger along the lip of the wheel and determine how deep the scratches on the lip are. The deeper the scratches, the lower grit you want to start at.

We're going to start at 120 grit, but if you have lighter scratches you can start at a higher grit.

Step 3: Sand with 120-Grit Sandpaper

Sand the lip of the wheel carefully with a 120-grit sandpaper disc on your die grinder while being sure not to damage the tire or the rest of the wheel.

You'll know when to stop when all of the rough metal has been knocked down and the edge is smooth to the touch.

Step 4: Sand with 320 Grit Sandpaper

Carefully sand the damaged lip of your wheel until you can't see or feel the sanding marks left behind by the 120-grit sandpaper.

Step 5: Sand with 400-Grit Sandpaper

Sand the damaged area with the 400-grit sandpaper until you can't feel the mark left behind by the 320-grit sandpaper.

Step 6: Sand with 600-Grit Sandpaper

Continue sanding with the 600-grit sandpaper. You should start to see some shine come back to the metal as you progress through the different grits.

Step 7: Sand with 800-Grit Sandpaper

Finish up the dry sanding with the 800-grit sandpaper. Your wheel's lip should look shiny and feel very smooth at this point.

Step 8: Wet Sand with 1000-Grit Sandpaper

Pour a small amount of water into a small tray and wet your 1000-grit sandpaper. Then, sand in a straight line horizontally until you've finished.

Step 9: Clean the Wheel

After you've finished sanding, use a clean rag and a bit of water/soap to clean the wheel and remove any dust left over from the process.

Step 10: Remove the Masking Tape

Remove the masking tape carefully.

Step 11: Polish the Wheel

Take your polishing compound and polish the clean wheel.

You can polish the wheel by hand or you can use a buffing wheel and a drill.

Step 12: Wipe off the Polishing Compound

Gently wipe off the polishing compound with a clean rag until you've removed all of the excess.

Congratulations, you're all done!

Keep Your Wheels Looking Great

Fixing your scratched rims is a simple process that can save you hundreds of dollars with a bit of patience. This process is great for removing scratches from alloy wheels and can be done easily at home.

While it wasn't included in the steps above, it's important to note that you will still need to paint your wheels after finishing if you have colored wheels. The finished product will look amazing and is definitely worth the extra effort. If you're looking for other ways to detail your ride, check out our exterior detailing guide.