Would it be practical to try to fix this wheel scratch myself (towards bottom of wheel)? If so, how would I go about it? Most shops are asking around $100 to fix this

 

you could try, but you could also botch it...
prob worth paying the shop, imo.

 

Well, what I want to know is if there is a "do it yourself" fix for something like this. I'm in it for the knowledge and know-how as well as saving a few bucks.

 

an old thread, but I'm also interested....

any ideas on DIY fix for rim scratches?

thanks in advance....

 

Can it be DIY, yes. Would I have a shop do it even with the knowledge I could fix it myself, yes.

It takes time and equipment you may not have to fix it. You need a buffing machine or high speed drill, buffing wheels, metal polishing compounds, clear coat... there's a lot of steps involved.

 

I fixed something similar to that on a set of AP1 rims I use for autocross. I was able to smooth it out with some emory cloth. I would think you could spray some Duplicolor wheel clearcoat on the repaired area when you are done. (I painted the entire wheel when I was done, so I don't have any experiance touching up th clearcoat.)

 

Chances are as soon as you fix it, you'll get another scratch. It looks to be small. I say let it go. It's close to impossible to prevent scratches like this.

 

Looks like the rim is bronze color? If so I would shy away from doing it yourself. Not to mention the close proximity of the sticker. Make sure before hand that what ever shop does it, can get that sticker or what they will do to avoid having to replace it.

I recently tried repairing my own wheels, (ssr gt3's). It can be done, but you must have alot of patience. In the end, I repaired the one wheel which was damaged, but it turned out the paint I used was one shade lighter than the paint on the wheels.

Anyone know where I can get a compressor and the paint guns used in professional body shops, Im interested in getting a set up to start learning how to paint.

 

Has anyone had any experience fixing their stock 04/05 rim with scuff marks? I've got one that goes about less than a 1/3 around the edge of the rim...

What would you recommend:

1. bring to the shop to fix i.e. repair price vs rim cost
2. DIY and use some metal polisher etc
3. just forget about it


thanks for any and all advice...

 

I just fixed my OZ wheel, that was worse than yours, and it looks 99% good....if I didnt tell you where to look, you would never know.

You will need 800 or so grit sand paper, and 3 nail polishes....

1)light silver base (go to CVS or whatever, and get the closest one to your wheel in color)

2)the clear pearl topcoat

3)Acrylic clearcoat.

Sand down the roughness of the curb rash (tape off where you dont want paint....

In stages, apply the coats, from base, to pearl, to clear...overlap about 1 inch to the good part of the rim so you cant tell the blend....

IMHO, its the best and cheapest way to fix minor curb rash. You cant mess it up more than it is, so if you arent happy, just take it to get repaired.

P.S. The above is only for PAINTED rims. Most rims today are painted, and are NOT bare clear coated metal. OEM rims ARE bare metal with clearcoat, so the above does NOT apply. Your enkei rims are most likely painted, just like my OZs, so the above will work.