Scratched Chrome...Is There a Fix? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

OsageWinterTRD · 06-15-2010, 10:31 PM

Forgive me if this isn't the correct place for this question; mods, if it is not, please move it to where it would be more appropriate...

I have some nasty curb rash on the lips of all my chromed TRD 18s on my '08 SE which constantly seems to happen -- even just today. Going through the drive-through at a local Mickey D's, I scraped the cement guide walls once again, and another damage to the lip on the driver side rear rim appeared. They're already on each rim, and I realize that all of them have been driver fault, but what I am trying to find out is if it is remotely possible to have damaged or scraped chrome wheels fixed in any way. I've heard they cannot multiple times from either shops or online, but is this really true? Is there anything that can be done save for having them taken off, re-dipped and put back on? Is there a "smoothing" or "sanding" process that can maybe just smooth over the scratched portions of the lips, even if those areas won't be in chrome anymore?

Thank you in advance, to anyone that can lend any tips.

scoop713 · 06-15-2010, 11:28 PM

if it's chrome, you will need to get it re-chrome. if your chrome is peeling, i find out that clear coat nail polish will slow it down a bit. Yup chrome sucks

Pawel062 · 06-15-2010, 11:40 PM

nother reason not to get chrome.

see if any shows will redo the lips completely. will need to have them rechromed.

also think about polished rims in future instead of chrome.

OsageWinterTRD · 06-16-2010, 12:08 AM

Thanks Guys.

I appreciate the input.

So, they would all have to be re-dipped? Jeez, not something I really want to go through. Is there a way for a shop just to fix or smooth out the scratched area of the lips?

CamrySExxx · 06-16-2010, 01:13 AM

honestly ... your best fix is to learn to drive and avoid curbs to start ...

It's common on the rear passeneger wheel to have it due to parallel parking but you can still avoid it. But saying all FOUR wheels have curb rash , well .. you might want to be a bit more careful and cautious next time. Sure you fix them up and make them all pretty again, considering you curbed all four wheels, what do you think your chances are of curbing them up again?

No offence, not trying to me an asshole (im serious LOL) , but its better to just leave them ... sooner or later you will be a victim of curb rash again, you might as well work on preventing it in the future. Try to drive through wide, or even wide enough to clean the wheels ... then if your not too sure, use your side mirrors. Or even get close to the curb on the driver side, but MAKE SURE you have room with out scraping, maybe be a feet out or so, leaving the passenger side wide open so you wont have to be guessing.

drive thru's are usually wider than the car so try to come up wit ha technique or something to avoid it. but remember if you do stay close to the curb to remove any guessing, remember if the drive thru has a turn or curve, remember to take it wider because the rear wheel will probably rub...

hopefulyl i made sense

OsageWinterTRD · 06-16-2010, 01:32 AM

I knew this kind of reply like directly above was bound to interject; I was just waiting for it to happen ("Seriously, dude, don't drive like an a-hole and you won't get curb rash" or "Who's fault do you think this is? Huh? The car's? The curb's?")...

Not that you stated these exact sentiments, but I did state in the initial post that I was able to take complete personal blame for these damages, and I accept that -- but since the damage is already done, and I will do my best to follow what you advised in terms of making sure I have proper clearance for the rims from this point on, I'd like to know if there's a way to merely, perhaps, shave the damages down so they're not so ugly at least...can this be done with chrome, or do the rims need to be totally re-done from scratch, as is the concensus?

Also, I'd like to add a reply to your initial comment of advising me to "learn how to drive"...I have been driving for approximately 20 years now, and trust me, I have been trained in the "defensive" method and know how to drive. I am simply having judgement issues with regard to the clearance near some sidewalks, drive-throughs, etc. and the room I think I have to clear these elements.

glenn14 · 06-16-2010, 11:24 AM

Yes,
You would have to get your rims repaired/rechromed. What I try to do is when I do park and parallel park
next to any curbs and burms I use extreme caution.. "not saying that you don't" If I take a little more time in order not to screw my wheels up so be it . I have to park in the city once or twice a week at those metered parking spaces with the white lines and of course what is on the passenger side those 6" granite curb stones so I try to be real careful and have not $ucked up any of my alloys in the last 10 years. There are specialty wheel repair shops.. that you may have to ship your wheels to to get repaired.. do a google search. Unless you can find a shop in your area......
Regards,
Glenn

El Loco VG · 06-16-2010, 11:49 AM

Yup no quick fix when I had my chrome wheels on mr Camry my wife curbed one or two of em so I ended up putting the stock wheels on and the tire absorbs most of the hit. You might want to consider getting smaller rims to avoid having to redo your chrome over and over which cant be cheap.

MJZ · 06-16-2010, 11:57 AM

You Chromed your TRDs 18s? Do you have pics? I don't see why you would do this since the wheels come shiny/machined.

ArmY1 · 06-16-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJZ

You Chromed your TRDs 18s? Do you have pics? I don't see why you would do this since the wheels come shiny/machined.

pix please

GT-R · 06-16-2010, 03:35 PM

My tires have rim protector on them.

ArmY1 · 06-16-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT-R

My tires have rim protector on them.

i looked online seem to not be able to find where u bought em?
do they work well? and serve the purpose

btw will powder-coating help against curb rashes/ scratches

private_number · 06-16-2010, 04:10 PM

Dont know if its been mentioned but if your going to rechrome your rims, you may aswell just buy new rims. I hear the cost of it is extremely heavy

GT-R · 06-16-2010, 04:22 PM

those are Goodyear Eagle GT. It'll protect your rims from curbs, unless you're crazy enough to keep pushing it when you feel your wheel is already touching the curb.

and no, I haven't and will never try it cause I spent a fortune on those tires.

oh, and those little mirrors I have do help for doing a perfect parking.

OsageWinterTRD · 06-16-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJZ

You Chromed your TRDs 18s? Do you have pics? I don't see why you would do this since the wheels come shiny/machined.

I had the dealer chrome them out (they were essentially shipped to be dipped) because I just didn't like the look of the "duller" finish on the TRDs -- I don't know what you mean really by "shiny" or "machined;" as far as my eye could tell, they were on the kind of bland side...

I'll work on getting pics, everyone.