However, bending them will often damage the finish. Most chrome-plated wheels are steel underneath, and can be bent back for a small fee ($50-$100). For this reason, chrome wheels are usually just replaced if they’ve been scratched or scuffed. Repairing damage and then re-plating can cost upwards of $500, and typically no less than $200.
#What is road rash on a car cracked
Original color can be difficult to match.īent alloy wheels usually can’t be repaired safely, so replacement is often required.Ī cracked or gouged alloy wheel should be replaced in almost all cases. Steel wheels can’t really crack, but a gouge will usually require replacement Otherwise, bending the rim can be $50 or less If bending back the wheel weakens the metal, welding may be required for $50-$100. $50-$150 for sand, putty, and paint, only many people don’t bother to fix scratches and scuffs on steel wheels The table below will help you figure out how much a rim repair will cost. And if you’ve got steel? You can just bend it back, paint it, and be on your way. If you’ve got a plastic-clad wheel, you’re probably doing replacement only. If you’ve got a chrome wheel, you’re looking at re-plating or replacing. Summing up: If you’ve got an alloy wheel, you’re looking at sanding and repainting. Instead, you can either replace the entire wheel, or try to remove and replace the plastic cladding (which isn’t always possible). Unfortunately, it’s typically not possible to repair plastic that’s been damaged. Plastic cladding often looks like chrome, but it’s much lighter (and cheaper) for the manufacturer. If they’ve been scratched or scuffed up, they can be sanded and repainted. If they’re bent, it is often difficult to fix them safely. They are usually painted, and often have clear coat as well. Produced from an alloy of aluminum, these rims are commonly offered on new vehicles. Often times, it’s more cost-effective to buy a replacement chrome rim.
Curb damaged chrome wheels may require sandblasting and re-plating, which is generally quite expensive.
#What is road rash on a car professional
If you have steel rims that are bent, try taking them to a professional for repair. Steel is durable and can withstand a lot of damage. Understanding the type of rim you have is important if you’re going to estimate the cost of repairing any curb damage. The more exotic or upscale the rim, the more a repair is going to cost. The type of rims you have and the extent of the damage are the two factors that will determine the cost of repair or replacement. More often than not, the rims take the brunt of curb-car encounters. Still, tires are pretty tough, so unless some speed was involved, a curb shouldn’t do much more than scuff the rubber. Generally speaking, tire sidewall damage often requires tire replacement. Any damage near the bead of the tire can cause the tire to “pop” off your rims, so if you see something, drive carefully to the tire store.
The sidewall is often the weakest part of any tire, so you can’t ignore even small damage. Tears in the sidewall of your tire – or gouges that have removed rubber – are usually a big concern.