How to Fix Curb Rash on Rims

Co-authored by Chad Zani and Sophia Bell

Last Updated: July 22, 2024 Fact Checked

Curb rash is damage, like scuff marks, scratches, or gouges, on the rims of your tires from hitting curbs or other obstructions. Though curb rash is unsightly, you can fix it yourself with time, patience, and dedication.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Smoothing out the Rims

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This method is for painted metal rims. Basically, you would follow the same process as for any other painted surface on the vehicle. If you have polished aluminum or magnesium rims you will need to use a different method.

You’ll be sanding, using putty, priming, painting, and clear coating to complete this project! It’s important to wear eye protection, gloves, and a mask when working with paint thinner, sandpaper, primer, or paint.^{[1]
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Use 400-grit sandpaper to even out the metal in the damaged area. Don’t go much beyond the damaged area—there’s no need to do more work than necessary. Keep sanding until the damage is smoothed out.^{[2]
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Any kind of automotive spot putty will work. Squeeze a small amount of the product onto a putty knife and use it to fill in the damaged area. Aim to cover the area in a very thin layer. Then, let the putty dry, which typically only takes about 30 minutes.^{[3]
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Once the putty is dry, you can sand away the excess. Use 400-grit sandpaper to smooth out the putty until it is even and level with the rest of the rim.^{[4]
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If the damage is deep or you sanded too much of the putty away, you can add more. Use the same technique as before and be sure to let the putty dry before you sand the second layer.
Though you could try to exactly match the paint to the color of your rims, it would be a very difficult task. It’s better to repaint the entire rim so it is a single, solid color. For the paint to adhere, the surface can’t be shiny. Use a scouring pad to scuff up the entire rim until it has a matte finish.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Priming and Painting the Rims

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It’s important to clean the rims before moving forward so that the primer and paint will adhere well to the metal. Put a small amount of paint thinner on a lint-free cloth and use it to wipe down the rims.^{[6]
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2
Mask the entire car so only the damaged rims are showing. Mask off the valve stem, lug nuts, and center cap of the tire. Stuff masking paper or plastic into the holes in the rims to cover the brake pads, too. Put masking tape behind the rim to cover and protect the tires. Then, cover your entire car with masking paper or a drop cloth. Secure all seams with masking tape so that only the damaged rim is showing and the rest of the tire and car is masked.^{[7]
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- Spraying the primer and paint can ruin the rest of your car if you don’t mask it properly, so take your time with this step!
- Alternatively, you could remove the tires from the car so you only have to mask the tire, valve stems, lug nuts, center cap, and brake pads.
Shake the can of primer thoroughly before using it. Hold the can about 6 inches (15 cm) from the rim. Then, spray the entire rim using short back-and-forth motions. Work from the top of the rim down to the bottom. Aim to cover the rim in a thin, even layer.^{[8]
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The primer should only take about 10-15 minutes to dry. If your first coat is too thin or is uneven, you can apply a second coat using the same method as before. Let it dry for at least 15 minutes before painting over the primer.^{[9]
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5
Apply a thin layer of paint to the rim. Before you spray the paint, shake the paint can thoroughly. Spray the paint in a thin, even layer over the entire rim. Don’t hold the can too close to the rim—it should be about 6 inches (15 cm) away. Use short strokes and a back-and-forth motion. Start at the top of the rim and work toward the bottom.^{[10]
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- Choose a paint color that is as close to the original color of the rims as possible.
If the paint is uneven or sheer, you can apply another coat. Wait 30 minutes for the first coat to dry, then add another coat using the same method as before.^{[11]
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For best results, you should allow the paint to dry thoroughly before moving on. If possible, let the paint dry overnight so it is completely set. If you’re in a big hurry, allow the paint to dry for at least 2 hours before adding the clear coat.^{[12]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Clear-Coating and Polishing the Rims

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Shake the can before beginning, and hold it about 6 inches (15 cm) away from the rim. Apply a very thin layer! If you spray too much, it will drip, run, and ruin the look of your rims. Again, work your way from the top of the rim to the bottom, using short back-and-forth strokes.^{[13]
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Avoid touching the rim to see if it’s dry, which could smudge the finish. Instead, wait 30 minutes before adding the second layer. Take your time when spraying the clear coat so that the entire rim is evenly coated.^{[14]
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It’s best to let the clear coat dry fully before moving on. If the clear coat isn’t dry, you could ruin the finish and have the start the entire project over. If you can’t wait 24 hours, wait at least 12 hours before removing the masking tape.^{[15]
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Once the clear coat is completely dry, you can remove the masking tape and the masking paper or drop cloths. Don’t forget to replace the center cap as well.^{[16]
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Pick up rim polish from your local auto parts store. Apply it according to the package directions. This will help restore the shine of the rims and make them look new.^{[17]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How much does it cost to fix curb rash on rims?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Depending on how extensive the curb rash is, you'll need to purchase sandpaper, putty, a scouring pad, as well as spray paint and spray primer. You may also want to pick up a can of spray clear coat to add polish to the rims. All in all, it should cost between $50-$150 to fix curb rash on your rims.

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How do you fix curb rash on polished rims?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

You'll first need to sand down the scuffed areas to even out the metal. You can then add a small amount of spot putty to fill in the damaged area. Once it dries, sand away the excess putty to smooth it out. Then, take a scouring pad and scrub away the clear coat from the rest of the rim so you can reapply it evenly. Add a layer or 2 of spray primer and then add spray paint to repaint the rims. Let the paint dry for up to 12 hours and spray a thin layer of clear coat. When the clear coat dries, apply some rim polish to restore the shine and make them look brand new!

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Can you fix scratched rims?

Drew Hawkins1

Community Answer

Absolutely! For small scratches, use 400-grit sandpaper to sand the scratched area to even out the metal. Add a layer of spot putty to fill in the scratches, let it dry, then sand it again to remove the excess putty and blend it in with the metal.

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It’s best to fix curb rash on a warm, sunny day so your putty, primer, and paint dries more quickly.

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If you tend to get curb rash often, buy tires with rim protectors.

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If there are very deep scratches on the rim, you will probably need to get it fixed at the repair shop. They can professionally skim one or two millimeters off the wheel.

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