Curb rash is the last thing you want on your car, especially on a new one.
However, it’s best not to ignore it, as delaying curb rash repair can lead to more serious damage over time.
Curious about the kind of damage curb rash can cause?
Let’s find out what curb rash is, how to repair it, and some quick tips to prevent wheel damage.
This Article Contains:
- What Is Curb Rash?
- Why Should You Repair Curb Rash Damage?
- How to Repair Curb Rash Step-By-Step
- 4 Simple Tips to Prevent Curb Rash
- How Much Does Curb Rash Repair Cost?
- Does Car Insurance Cover Curb Rash Damage?
What Is Curb Rash?
Curb rash, also known as curb damage or rim rash, refers to the structural damage to a car’s wheels or rims caused by contact with curbs, potholes, or other objects on the road.
This damage can manifest in the form of scuff marks, scratches, gouges, or dents and deteriorate the wheels’ appearance. In severe cases, curb rash can lead to bending, cracking, or chunking of the wheel, which can affect your vehicle’s performance.
If you notice any wear and tear around the wheel, you should visit a repair shop immediately.
Why Should You Repair Curb Rash Damage?
Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore curb damage:
- If left untreated, curb rash can deteriorate over time, leading to deeper gouges, cracks, or corrosion. As the damage worsens, it can increase the material and time needed for repair, ultimately raising labor and rim repair costs.
- Bent or damaged rims can cause uneven tire wear or steering vibrations, especially at high speeds, making your car unsafe for driving.
- A damaged wheel can affect vehicle balance, leading to an uncomfortable and bumpy ride.
- Damaged rims or excessive scuff marks can lower your car’s resale value. On the other hand, repairing curb rash helps retain the vehicle’s market appeal.
- It makes your vehicle’s wheels look worn and neglected.
Next, we’ll go over the steps to fix a curb rash and restore your vehicle’s wheels to their original condition.
How to Repair Curb Rash Step-By-Step
A minor scratch can often be fixed with a DIY repair. However, to ensure your safety, you should have a professional tend to severe wheel damage.
The process requires a few essential tools and rim repair materials, like:
- Protective gear
- Rim cleaning solution
- Sandpaper of various grits
- Rubber mallet
- Putty
- Filler
- Scuff pad
- Primer
- Paint
- Clear coat
- Rim protector
Here’s how a mechanic usually goes about repairing curb rash in vehicles:
1. Assess the Extent of Damage
Your mechanic will start by inspecting your car’s wheels for visible scratches or scrapes, which are typically found on the outer edge where the tire meets the rim. This will help them evaluate whether the damage is cosmetic or has caused structural issues, such as bending or cracking.
2. Clean the Damaged Wheel
Then, they’ll thoroughly scrub and rinse the wheel using a rim-cleaning solution to remove dirt, grime, brake dust, and other particles. They may also use iron removers to dissolve and clear stubborn contaminants that washing alone couldn’t remove from the affected area.
3. Remove Marks and Scratches
Your mechanic will rub sandpaper on the damaged area. They’ll begin with coarse grit sandpaper to remove deeper scratches or scrapes for effective wheel repair.
Then, they’ll switch to fine-grit sandpaper to give the affected area a smooth finish. While working with different textures of sandpaper, your mechanic should take care not to scrape more material than necessary to avoid further damage to the wheel.
4. Straighten Bent Rims
If the rim is bent, they’ll use a rubber mallet to straighten it carefully.
NOTE: Aluminum-made rims aren’t as tough as steel or carbon-fiber ones and are more likely to crack. The mechanic will exercise extra caution based on the type of rims your vehicle has.
5. Apply Putty
They’ll apply car putty (a very thick paint that acts as a base) to the damaged area and let it dry for at least 30 minutes. Some mechanics may also apply a filler — a thick polyester resin used for auto body repair.
Then, they’ll smooth out the damaged area with a scuff pad (an abrasive pad used to clean or polish) to create an even surface.
6. Apply Primer Followed by Paint
They’ll start applying the primer on the partially repaired surface. They’ll spray the primer in a smooth back-and-forth motion from about six inches away to ensure uniform coverage and prevent overspray.
Once this dries up, they’ll apply a second coat of the primer. Next, the mechanic will apply the paint in the same way they applied the primer. They’ll let it dry for a day or so before applying a clear coat to seal and protect the curb rash repair.
7. Add Rim Protectors
To prevent future damage to your new wheel, a mechanic may install rim protectors.
What’s that?
A rim protector acts as a barrier between the wheel and curbs. It also helps shield the tire and wheel bead area from damage caused by debris, rocks, tree stumps, and other off-road obstacles.
NOTE: Some auto mechanics also use the “Body Shop” method to repair curb rash. This method involves media blasting the wheel (applying high-pressure air, water, or steam to break down contaminants and remove the existing paint). After this, the mechanic applies putty, primer, and new paint to the scratched area.
But how can you avoid hitting a curb and keep your rims in top shape?
4 Simple Tips to Prevent Curb Rash
Curb rash is a common problem for many car owners. In fact, inexperienced drivers often hit the curb as it takes time to master complex driving skills like parallel parking.
With that in mind, here are a few tips to minimize the chances of curb rash:
- Be aware of your surrounding area, especially when parking the car in a new or tight space.
- Rely on your vehicle’s parking assist features, such as rearview cameras, audible alerts, and sensors.
- Park your vehicle away from curbs to reduce the risk of contact that can lead to cosmetic or structural damage.
- Switch to winter tires when the season calls for it. They have better grip and can help prevent your car from sliding into a curb.
Eager to know what it generally costs to fix curb rash?
Read on to find out.
How Much Does Curb Rash Repair Cost?
For most vehicles, an auto repair shop will charge between $50 and $500 per wheel, depending on the severity of the damage.
Some other factors influencing your curb rash repair bill include:
- Choice of repair materials: The quality of materials like sandpaper, mallets, primer, and paint affects the cost.
- Labor costs: They can vary depending on the area and the mechanic’s experience. They’ll also charge you more for media blasting the wheel, as it’s more time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Type of rims: Chrome-plated wheel rims may require sandblasting and re-plating, which is generally more expensive than fixing steel, aluminum, or plastic-clad rims.
- Extent of damage: Minor scratches cost less to fix, while a wider scratched area or bent rims require more time and effort, raising labor costs. Larger damage also requires more primer or paint, increasing costs.
Next, we’ll find out if your car insurance provider covers the cost of curb rash repair.
Does Car Insurance Cover Curb Rash Damage?
It depends, as most insurance policies don’t cover curb rash.
However, if your car insurance policy includes collision coverage, it should help cover the repair costs for damage caused by hitting a curb. Collision insurance coverage protects your vehicle against damage from hitting another object, regardless of who’s at fault.
Additionally, if the curb gets damaged and you’re held responsible, your liability coverage may cover the major or minor repair costs for it.
NOTE: Comprehensive coverage won’t cover curb rash repair costs as it’s designed for non-collision incidents like theft, fire, or natural disasters.
Keep Your Car Damage-Free with AutoNation Mobile Service
The biggest issue with curb rash is that it compromises passenger safety by causing structural damage to your wheels. It also negatively impacts the resale value of your car. That’s why you should get it fixed by professionals before the damage worsens.
And if you don’t want to drive with a severe curb rash, call AutoNation Mobile Service.
We’re a mobile auto repair and maintenance solution available seven days a week. Our mechanics can examine and repair curb rash right from your driveway!
Contact us to get a free quote and book an appointment for curb rash repair or any other automotive maintenance today.