How to Fix a Scratch on a Rim Plus Causes and Prevention

Rims play a big role in the appeal of cars. Shiny ones contribute to a vehicle’s resale value, which is why many owners take good care of them. Any damage, such as scratches, on the rims can deal a blow to the car’s aesthetic and cost.

Ways to Repair Scratches on a Rim

If your daily driver’s rim has scratches, you can use a clear coat pen or a scratch remover to remove them. Note that these work best with minor scratches. For deeper ones, it’s better to seek professional help.

Clear Coat Pen

Clear coat or touch-up pens have car paint that matches the color of the vehicle. They can cover up minor impurities, such as scratches and chips.

These pens are easy to use, but you have to find the color that matches the paint. Find the information sticker (usually on the dashboard) that shows the paint color code.

Clear coat pens are also inexpensive, as you can get one for as low as $5.00. However, note that they only hide (not fix) scratches.

Sand, Putty, and Repaint Your Rim

Unfortunately, there are no specific rim scratch remover products that can easily remove the deep grooves associated with rim damage. Scratch removers typically only level the paint and polish the surface, making light scratches much less noticeable.

To fix a scratched rim, you must sand the uneven and scratched area with a grinding wheel or gritty sandpaper. Once you’ve created a smooth surface, you must fill the sanded area with putty. Once dried, you’ll need to sand the putty and shape it. This is the most challenging part because you’ll need to shape the putty in a way that conceals imperfections.

After cleaning the wheel, you can repaint the wheel using two coats of primer and a paint of your choice.

Causes of Scratches on a Rim

Tire rims can get scratched from driving over potholes and hitting curbs. They can also form due to harmful debris, brake dust, flat tires, use of incorrect cleaning methods or products, and salted roads.

Hitting Curbs

Hitting curbs or elevated sidewalks are the most common causes of a scratched rim. It’s so common that there’s even a name for curb-caused scratches: “curb rashes.”

As a driver, it can be difficult to see the curb because it’s obscured by your vehicle’s body. Driving too close to the curb can cause you to hit the curb with the inside portion of your rim, which is going to scratch it. Make sure you drive slowly and carefully when driving near a gutter.

Driving Over Potholes

Potholes shouldn’t usually scratch your rims unless your rim scrapes the pothole on its way into the hole, which is unlikely. That said, driving over potholes is the main cause of tire, rim, and suspension damage or misalignment. You can end up with more than just a scratched rim, like a puncture or a bent wheel.

You can prevent these by avoiding or slowing down when approaching potholes.

Road Debris

Road debris like rocks, twigs, and even fallen car parts can leave scratches. The most harmful ones are sharp objects, such as shards of glass, as they could cut through your wheel or kick up and scratch the rim.

You can prevent damage done by road debris by avoiding them. In rare instances, where you have to drive over them, it’s best to slow down and make sure they don’t hit the tires.

Brake Dust

Whenever you step on the brake, the brake rotor and pads compress to stop the vehicle. This causes friction between the two, resulting in metallic particles wearing off the pads or the rotor.

The resulting residue could stick to the car wheels. The dust is extremely abrasive, so this can scratch your rim’s surface.

You can use wheel cleaners to scrub away the metallic particles and other harmful dirt on the tire. You must clean this dust residue properly so that it doesn’t scratch the paint finish. Ensure you get the right cleaning solution that caters to your wheel coating and finish.

Another way to prevent brake dust from building up is by using brake dust repellents or shields. You can also replace your brake pads with ceramic ones because they don’t produce metallic particles.

Incorrect Cleaning Method or Material

As mentioned, there are wheel-cleaning solutions that cater to various coatings and finishes. Look for one that matches your rim specifications to avoid damaging them. Besides scratches, using the incorrect solution could lead to severe issues, such as corrosion.

Similarly, using abrasives to clean the wheels could also lead to scratches. That’s why it’s not recommended to use hard-bristle brushes to scrub off the rims. Using a soft microfiber towel is usually good enough to get rid of dirt and rinse off the solution.

Road Salts

Road salt is a deicing chemical (sodium chloride) spread on roads to reduce snow and ice on the pavement, limiting accidents caused by slippage.

The chemicals found in road salts react negatively with the material used to make rims. If your wheel has existing scratches, salt can get into the pits and rust the unprotected metal inside. Generally, wheels are quite durable so this won’t necessarily ruin the wheel. However, rust can affect its looks.

It’s advised to wash the salt off your vehicle every 10 days to prevent damage. Rinse and scrub the wheels with warm water, the appropriate cleaning solution, and a sponge or microfiber towel.

How Much Does a Scratched Rim Repair Cost?

Repairing a scratched rim depends on the severity of the damage and the rim type (material). The four commonly used materials for rims are steel, chrome, aluminum, and plastic.

Generally, steel and aluminum repair ranges from $50 to $150, while chrome-plated rim repair starts at $200 and could go over $500. These are the prices per rim.

Plastic, on the other hand, can’t be repaired, so it’s often replaced instead.