advice needed
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 332
Likes: 7
From: scottsdale az
advice needed
Just inadvertently hit a curb while making a u-turn that I thought I could make. slight damage around the outer edge of a wheel rim. tried some very fine steel / brass wool that has smoothed it out. I don't think it can be polished out but wanted to ask you guys about it.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Generally, it's pretty amazing what can be repaired. Sounds like your case isn't that big a deal. You should be able to Google "aluminum wheel repair" and find a few places in the greater Phoenix area. Might even try asking in the Southwest Forum for local recommendations.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
Oh!
Well, it can still be repaired but the rechroming really complicates things. There are very few chrome shops that can/will do wheels and most are in the East and South, but might be someone in Phoenix.
When I needed chrome repair for wheels on another car when I lived in Oregon, all the shops told me they ship the wheels to Calif for chroming. Obviously 2-way shipping really adds to the cost.
But I say still Google local wheel repair places for Phoenix and talk to those people who know.
And start looking for used wheels for sale here and the auction site.
Well, it can still be repaired but the rechroming really complicates things. There are very few chrome shops that can/will do wheels and most are in the East and South, but might be someone in Phoenix.
When I needed chrome repair for wheels on another car when I lived in Oregon, all the shops told me they ship the wheels to Calif for chroming. Obviously 2-way shipping really adds to the cost.
But I say still Google local wheel repair places for Phoenix and talk to those people who know.
And start looking for used wheels for sale here and the auction site.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
it's not impossible to repair a wheel, but chrome does add another level of complication. just a side thought, now might be a time to also have a full alignment check (or re-do if needed).
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 11
From: Valdosta Georgia
great idea Bill. Not checking my alignment after some pot holes almost cost me a set of tires! yikes
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,897
Likes: 5,363
From: T-Town WA
2016 C6 of Year Finalist
I'd say you are screwed. The car's resale value will plummet and you will be the laffing stock of the forum...except for those of us that have done the same.
Polish it out as best you can and it will still stand out to you as if it was bright orange...as mine does to me.
Polish it out as best you can and it will still stand out to you as if it was bright orange...as mine does to me.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1,187
From: Lake Worth Beach, Florida
I purchased a complete set of used Gumbys from House of Wheels. He can provide you with one wheel. He has OE and aftermarket wheels. Because your wheel is chromed the repair cost is probably more than replacing the wheel.
http://www.houseofwheelsonline.com/index.php
http://www.houseofwheelsonline.com/index.php
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
And get that wheel checked. The factory lateral & radial runout is .030". Also check the hub flange runout (.0052 max). Curbing can easily cause wheel bearing issues too.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Just live with it. 99.9% of the people looking at the car won't notice it. Most of the time it will be a 2 ft car but some times the ding will be at the top of the wheel while the car is parked and it will become a 5 ft car. Not really a big deal. Did the same thing with the chrome wheels on my new Malibu. Scraped a curb with left front and after 5 tire rotations I have to really inspect the car to find where the wheel is.
Bill
Bill
Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 534
Likes: 33
From: Southern cali
I feel your pain as I did exactly what you did a while ago. I went the rechrome route ... I will warn you, it was expensive and time consuming. For what I paid to repair it, I could have bought a nice used one.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,973
Likes: 463
From: Tonawanda New York
I purchased a complete set of used Gumbys from House of Wheels. He can provide you with one wheel. He has OE and aftermarket wheels. Because your wheel is chromed the repair cost is probably more than replacing the wheel.
http://www.houseofwheelsonline.com/index.php
http://www.houseofwheelsonline.com/index.php
I know friends who have used them as well,very good work!
