My husband did the same thing. He likes to park next to a curb but instead of backing straight out, he start turning the steering wheel too soon. Have a scratched rim as well. Any suggestions out there?

 

I'm not sure there's anything that you CAN do to get rid of the scratches .... remember the wheel is made of aluminium and is very soft. Sometimes I wonder if its worth the paranoia and extra effort to take care of lower profile tires. Everytime I see a messed up road I have to think twice ...

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">[This message has been edited by 1000bpm on June 11, 2001 @ ]</font>

 

i can suggest one product. Mother's Aluminum+Mag polish. it wouldn't get all the scratches out, but at least get a little out it's like $4.99 for a little can. just tryin' to help.

------------------
96 Lexus LS400
2002 Satin Silver TL-S W/Nav

• Ebony interior wood kit
• Ebony wood/leather steering wheel
• 20% tint
• Boston Acoustic speakers+tweeters
• Kenwood 12" tube
• OEM Body Kit

.......more to come

 

i can suggest one product. it's Mother's Aluminum + Mag Polish. it doesn't get the deep scratches, just the minor ones. i think it's like $4.99 for a little can. just tryin' to help.

------------------
96 Lexus LS400
2002 Satin Silver TL-S W/Nav

• Ebony interior wood kit
• Ebony wood/leather steering wheel
• 20% tint
• Boston Acoustic speakers+tweeters
• Kenwood 12" tube
• OEM Body Kit

.......more to come

 

Try a local wheel shop, or custom wheel shop, and inquire about having a wheel resurfaced. Here locally, I believe its Weld Racing that offers this service. Im sure there are others..

 

If the aluminum itself is damaged, you are screwed. If just the clear coat, it can be wet sanded and buffed out.

Look in the back of the car mags like C&D or R&T - there are refinishing companies 6that do a great job. Ye Olde Wheel Shop for one. They fixed a bent NSX rim and made it look new for about $100.

 

I concur...a good wheel shop would be the BEST way to fix it. Expecially if you lost a piece of the rim.

The cheap way of fixing it is to smooth it out with a dremmel tool. I haven't had the chance to try this on a TL-S (Thank goodness for the tilting mirror), but it worked well on my GSR.

 

Thanks for the info. I will definitely get me a can of that~

 

I scratched my rim on Saturday against the curb. I know I f*cked up. Is there any way to smooth it out or at least make it less noticeable?
Thanks

 

I did the same thing. My dealer quoted me a price of like $230 for a new wheel. Perhaps you can buy a new wheel and keep the other as a true full-sized spare.

 

no problemo Gabriele.....
sorry about the double post

------------------
96 Lexus LS400
2002 Satin Silver TL-S W/Nav

• Ebony interior wood kit
• Ebony wood/leather steering wheel
• 20% tint
• Boston Acoustic speakers+tweeters
• Kenwood 12" tube
• OEM Body Kit

.......more to come

 

I don't think a full size spare would fit in the trunk properly. Anybody try this yet?

 

I scratched up one of my wheels... oh well. I think I have to buy 4, 18 inch wheels... darn!

------------------
Those who know, don't talk.

 

It probably won't, but it's worth a try

 

I've seen the TL-P rims on EBay for under $150 for four. If you really care that much about rim scratches, buy four spares. Just make sure the ones you're buying are in good condition.

Noam

 

Beware of mail order wheel repairs!!! Most times you do not get your wheel back they just swap it with one they have fixed and who knows how much damage it had. Bending rims back reduces the strength.

 

Get this story... I brought my Saab 9-3 in for its 30K service last week when the dealer calls and asks if I have a spare wheel lock key! Uh, no, why? They broke my wheel lock key trying to get the wheels off to do the brake job!

So I pick the car up yesterday, and after washing it, I notice that the morons in the shop chipped and scratched all four of my wheels trying to muscle the wheel locks off with an air wrench. ARGH.

Brought the car back this morning and showed the damage to the service guy. They're going to pay to have all four wheels sent to a wheel shop that will sandblast and repolish the wheels to like new. I know the shop they're using, and they do an awesome job.

We'll see!

 

Aren't our wheels clear-coated to protect them from the elements?

If so, and you use wheel polish, you will remove the coating from that part of the wheel which will now discolor more quickly compared to the rest.

Be careful...

 

They are clear coated. If the scratch is in the clear coat, a good detailer can fix it. If it has gone through to the metal, it is time for a new wheel or time to see one of the better wheel repair guys.

I lost a wheel to a valet on my CL-S, and just got a new one (got reamed, the "repair" place said the lathe marks wouldn't be right). However, another member in the Los Angeles/Valley area, tried the same place, but asked them to try anyway. Well, he got a good job for about $100 bucks.

I now have SSR wheels, but have kept the originals. Also, be carefull leaving your cars with valet parking *and* if you ever have a tire changed, make sure they put plenty of "lube" on the tire changing machine to keep from putting little rubs in the wheel's clear coat.

 

Get an estimate for having all of your wheels polished. That might solve it if it's not too bad.

Regards
-w