Curb Rash Repair - DC Metro Area

Well, I found the curb. <img border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" title="" src="graemlins/cussing.gif" /> I've got a 320degree wheel edge rash on my rear wheel. Any recommendations on where to get it fixed in the DC Metro region (VA preferred). It's my daily driver so I'd rather not have to mail off a wheel. Thanks,

Ed, Been there, done that. I'd suggest: Wheel WORX 8213 Cloverleaf Drive, Millersville, MD 21108 [phone removed] They did a very good job on my Sport Design's. I think it was about $100 per wheel. There might be someplace closer, why don't you post on PorscheTalk as well? Karl

Karl, How long does this take - did they give you a loaner wheel - etc. Thanks - I want to beat myself with some blunt object over this! Ed

YE OLE WHEEL SHOP. Near the airport.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Ed996: <strong>Karl, How long does this take - did they give you a loaner wheel - etc. Thanks - I want to beat myself with some blunt object over this! Ed</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Since they are up I-95 near Columbia, I could only get up there on Saturdays. So I dropped them on one Saturday and picked them up the next. I don't know if they can turn them around any faster than that. They don't have loaner wheels as far as I know. Karl

I took mine to CDE Motorsports (now called something else, but you can find them on the web), out in Sterling/Dulles. They in turn sent them up to Ye Olde Wheel Shop, near Baltimore. (See post above) They looked wonderful, but I paid somewhat more than Karl did. However, if you cut out the middle man and go directly to YOWS, I'm sure you'd get a better deal. BTW, I managed to mess one up within a few months of getting them back. I'm now going to try Pete's DIY approach... (see other thread on this board)

Yes, I just decided to try the DIY because if I can get the rash while being careful, I'm sure to do it again. Just bought all the stuff (Wurth paints, filler, primer) and will start this weekend. Good excuse to get a jack, jackstands, and a torquewrench!

Ed, let me know how you make out, I will be real interested! =Carlos=

this YE OLE WHEEL SHOP is off of Rt. 1 off of 195 by Arbutus/Elkridge right? I drove by there and couldn't find it. Anyone got the phone number and/or address? Thanks in advance. <img src="http://www.karljay.com/boxsters/KJBoxsterS.gif" alt=" - " />

CarlosR - well, I've started the project - sanded the high spots off and applied bondo in the valleys. Seems to be going well. I jacked the wheel up so I could spin it while sanding and puttying. I plan to pull it for the paint steps - probably this weekend. While I now have a red stripe around my rim, at least I can drive the car. I cut a sanding pad out of plywood that is curved at about the rim radius - makes sanding easier as you don't hit the tire.

Karl, Ye Ole Wheel & Welding Shop [phone removed] 6363 Washington Blvd Elkridge, MD

Ed, Thanks for the update. Any chance of some posting some pix? =Carlos=

Thanks Sam! I need to repair my 19" rims on my M3 and a slight scratch on the Boxster too. :-) <img src="http://www.karljay.com/m3/KJM3SMG_small.gif" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.karljay.com/BoxsterS/KJBoxsterS.gif" alt=" - " />

Here is the work in progress. <a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/WheelEd.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/WheelEd.JPG</a>

No problem Karl. Btw, I checked out your M page. The car looks great. There is a pic of an M3 that appears to be either gun-metal grey or titanium color in finish. Is this a factory/standard color? Regards, Sam

Here is the post-primer picture - not yet sanded. Took about an hour to remove, mask, spray, reinstall. <a href="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/WheelPrimer.JPG" target="_blank">http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/WheelPrimer.JPG</a>

hey Sam, that color I think is called Sterling Gray. That color is a special factory option, not sure about the price.

This project became much more difficult after spraying the silver. The issue becomes trying to get a good mask line between where the repair is, and the rest of the wheel that you don't want to repaint. Perhaps the size of this repair made it more difficult, but I had to try again several times due to crisp mask lines instead of a feather. I ended up not masking the paint/no paint boundary on the wheel and using cardboard held an in away to help get a feather. It still isn't perfect but is an improvement. To all those who plan to do this - be prepared for some fiddling. Ed

Did you reverse tape the boundary between the repair and original area? If not, it will be nearly impossible to get an unoticeable blend. Reverse taping will usually provide the blend you need. Reverse taping is done by taping half of sticky side of the tape on the part you want to protect then roll the other half up and back loosely. This leaves only a soft edge of the sticky side of the tape. Remove it while the paint is wet; it will leave almost no paint edge. Wider tape is better than narrow tape for this.