Curb Rash!
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 387
Likes: 70
From: Meridian, Idaho
2022 4 Runner Pro, supercharged and lifted Lime Rush, 2018 E63s wagon Edition 1
Curb Rash!
Hi all, so not paying attention, I rubbed a curb and have about a 2" scrape on the front right rim (forged wheels). Have any of you repaired one of these yourself and, if so, how did you do it? Or is it better to take it to a pro. Problem is, I'm having a difficult time finding someone out in the Meridian or Boise area, especially a mobile unit. It's not that bad but still car was pristine until this.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 11,403
Likes: 5,326
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2019 C63CS
I have not had success with fixing curb rash in the past. They often can't match the color or clearcoat, so it looks visibly different. I tried to have curb rash repaired on my previous Audi RS5 and everybody said the clearcoat was not available in the USA, so they can't match it. They also mentioned that AMG wheels fall in the same category. I found one shop here in the SF Bay Area that claimed they mixed their own clearcoat to match, so I had them do it, but the result was obviously different. Not only was the color off, but also the gloss and even the texture. I ended up not paying for it and bought a new wheel. It seems the only way to get a match is to do at least both wheels on one side and then make sure they never get mixed up when changing wheels, otherwise you have to do all four. But don't expect texture etc. to be the same as the original.
I curbed one of the front wheels during my European Delivery and it was repaired at the VPC. The ED insurance covers all damage done in Europe w/o deductible and I suspect they actually ended up replacing the entire wheel instead of repairing it, or they have the process and supplies to make it look factory new.
One of my front wheels now has a slightly bent lip due to a mishap during the pandemic. Drove over a raised section of pavement that was in the shade and didn't see it. It's still visibly bent if you look close. They couldn't really bend it back, because it's right where the logo is. My SA said they would have to hammer it back in shape, but it would destroy the logo, so I just left it. Can't really notice it unless you know it's there and look closely. Stuff happens I suppose. Wheels and tires are like shoes. Sooner or later they'll have blemishes.
I curbed one of the front wheels during my European Delivery and it was repaired at the VPC. The ED insurance covers all damage done in Europe w/o deductible and I suspect they actually ended up replacing the entire wheel instead of repairing it, or they have the process and supplies to make it look factory new.
One of my front wheels now has a slightly bent lip due to a mishap during the pandemic. Drove over a raised section of pavement that was in the shade and didn't see it. It's still visibly bent if you look close. They couldn't really bend it back, because it's right where the logo is. My SA said they would have to hammer it back in shape, but it would destroy the logo, so I just left it. Can't really notice it unless you know it's there and look closely. Stuff happens I suppose. Wheels and tires are like shoes. Sooner or later they'll have blemishes.
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Joined: Jan 2016
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'15 E63S,'21 LCI M5
If you get time , post a pic of it. I did this on a 212 wheel. It only scraped the polished silver lip section. Wondering if just the lip can be fixed ? or you're redoing the whole wheel at point.
I had another redone a while back & can attest. Different texture/clearcoat. It's close.. but will bug you esp if your ocd. Ditto on eating it & buying a new wheel.
I had another redone a while back & can attest. Different texture/clearcoat. It's close.. but will bug you esp if your ocd. Ditto on eating it & buying a new wheel.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,247
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From: Oakland
2018 E43 | 2017 GLS450 | 2004 CLK 500
I’ve had good luck with some mobile wheel repair. I recommend asking your closest Mercedes dealer. If not any local German dealership should have some recs. If it’s minor I’ve just repair it myself with a dremel. If I get enough damage where it bothers me I’ll call the pros.
Member
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 102
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18 E63s Wagon
I don't have first hand experience dealing with them but from watching Larry Kosilla aka AMMO NYC on youtube he has recommended and gone to a shop in New Rochelle, New York called ProFormance Industries for getting the wheels on a couple of his cars and restoration cars in some of his videos and they seem to do really good work. I personally would not trust the dealer or any mobile wheel repair service that claims to repair the blemish back to factory condition.
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: NYC/NJ
2022 E53 SG
depends on how deep the curb rash is. I've used a Dremel and small sanding block to rub out the curb rash on my old C63 on the machined part of the rim. It was barely noticeable afterward.
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Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 387
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From: Meridian, Idaho
2022 4 Runner Pro, supercharged and lifted Lime Rush, 2018 E63s wagon Edition 1
Just wanted to thank you all for your recommendations and responses to my post. I have some polishing pads (very light abrasives) so I'll try that first. If it comes out poorly then it's new wheel time. Oh well, live and learn.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Seattle
'19 E63S, ‘16 CLS63 RIP, '09 E63 Gone, '06 M5 Gone, '97 Supra TT Gone
I had mine professionally repaired and it's VERY difficult to notice the repair unless you know it's there.
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Joined: Mar 2019
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From: USA
2018 E63S Wagon, 2017 Z51 Corvette
Quite a while back my wife had a Mazda Millenia. When we got it there was some curb rash and it vibrated a bit. Took it into a local shop (now closed) and had them go over all the wheels and I was able to watch. First thing I saw was that the wheels were bent far worse than I thought. The tech would mount the wheel (sans tire) on a holder that could spin and started whacking on it with a big hammer. A minute later a formerly severely bent wheel looked straight. He then added a cutting tool to the fixture and turned off just enough of the rim to remove the rash. When he turned it he was taking the same amount off the entire circumference of the wheel. That guy was an artist. All 4 wheels came out looking new and all vibration was gone.
It was obvious this wasn't something just any grease monkey could do. He has to know where exactly to hit the wheel and exactly how much. Wrong on either count and the wheel could easily be scrap for recycle. The proof is when he turned it for removing curb rash. A perfectly straightened wheel will turn an even amount off the entire circumference.
It was obvious this wasn't something just any grease monkey could do. He has to know where exactly to hit the wheel and exactly how much. Wrong on either count and the wheel could easily be scrap for recycle. The proof is when he turned it for removing curb rash. A perfectly straightened wheel will turn an even amount off the entire circumference.
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Joined: Feb 2021
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From: New England
21 E63s wagon
I had some fairly deep curb rash on my black forged wheels repaired by a local shoppe here in Boston and I can’t even tell where the damage was post repair. It looks like it did before the damage, at least to me. These guys used a CNC lathe which apparently is a very expensive piece of machinery and definitely is not standard practice at most wheel repair places. Maybe find some place that has one of these?
Last edited by ska597; Aug 10, 2023 at 11:07 AM.
Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 160
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From: NC
2019 S560
Fixing curbed rims is something that every dealership deals with weekly in reconditioning cars for sale. Ask you Mercedes dealer who they use and set up an appointment to have it done with them. Usually a mobile repair company. It will run you depending on the damage…$75-125.
