How to Protect Rims From Curb Rash? 2024 Newest Guide

 Regarding the topic of curb rash, many car owners are very concerned about it. Today, we will take Tesla as an example to talk about how to protect the wheels from damage and how to repair them after being damaged.

Why Is Protecting Tesa Rims Important?

First of all, from price. Tesla is a luxury brand in its own right, and its rims are generally more expensive than those from economy or mid-range brands. In addition to its own brand reasons, the price of tire replacement is also related to rim performance, its price is also related to the material, size, and design of the rim.

Generally speaking, the cost to replace a standard Tesla aluminum wheel rim can range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars, not including the price of the tires. If you choose high-performance or uniquely designed rims, the price may be higher.

Secondly, damaged rims can cause safety issues. For example, a bent rim may not seat the tire properly, which may lead to poor handling or even tire failure.

And Tesla vehicles are known for their performance. Damaged rims can affect the vehicle's alignment and suspension, alter handling, and reduce the car's efficiency, particularly in terms of energy consumption of electric vehicles like Teslas.

Finally, what I want to talk about is the secondary sale value. Since Tesla vehicles are generally considered luxury goods, even minor cosmetic damage (such as curb rash on the rims) can severely impact their market value. If you have the idea of reselling, be sure to protect the wheels.

This is why I think it’s important to protect your Tesla tires.

Why Does Curb Rash Occur?

The first scenario is when you drive or park too close to the curb, it will cause the rims of your wheels to scrape against it and get scratched or damaged. This is most likely to happen in tight parking spots or unfamiliar areas, where judging the distance to the curb can be tricky.

Additionally, visibility issues during nighttime or bad weather further increase the risk of such incidents. , Inexperience or a moment of distraction while driving can also lead to curb rash.

To sum it up, when your car’s wheels and the curb collide, the results are rarely favorable, but cautious driving and awareness of your surroundings can help you avoid these unwanted encounters.

How to Protect Rims From Curb Rash？

I briefly describe how to protect your wheels from damage in five aspects. Have a look!

• 1. Use Rim Protector

This point is very important. Go buy a rim protector, they are installed on the edge of the car's rim - this is the part most likely to come into contact with curbs while driving.
They act as a barrier, absorbing impacts that might scratch, dent, or wear away at the rim surface, and they enhance the appearance of the wheel. There are two types to choose from: clip-on type and adhesive type. You can choose according to your preference.
A word of caution, while rim protectors can significantly reduce the risk of rim damage, they are not foolproof and may not protect against all types of impacts. Additionally, they need to be checked regularly for wear and tear and replaced if damaged.
Overall, rim protectors are a practical and cost-effective solution for anyone looking to extend the life and appearance of their wheels.

• 2. Install roadside alarms

It's like a proximity sensor on the rim. It beeps when you get too close to the curb. It's a small investment that can save you a lot of heartache and the cost of repairing your rims.

• 3. Use smart parking

When parking, you can turn on smart parking, such as parking guidance systems and automatic parking technology. These technologies can clearly display the situation around the car and greatly avoid wheel scratches caused by blind spots when parking.

• 4. Choose tires with slightly wider sidewalls

If you're not obsessed with ultra-low-profile tires, you can opt for tires with slightly wider sidewalls. First, the increased width provides more rubber material for enhanced elasticity and cushioning. This allows the tire to better absorb shock and vibration from uneven road surfaces, reducing damage to the tire's internal structure and tread.

Secondly, tires with wider sidewalls provide better protection when encountering road obstacles such as curbs. Wider sidewalls reduce direct collisions, minimizing damage to tires and wheels, and ultimately extending tire life.

In addition, wider sidewalls enhance handling and comfort by increasing lateral stiffness, improving vehicle stability and maneuverability, and dampening road vibrations to reduce ride discomfort.

• 5. Regular inspection

Every once in a while, walk around your car and inspect the rims for any damage. Catching problems early can save you a lot of trouble later.

How to Repair the Curb Rash?

• When you have used your car for many times, it is inevitable that the wheel hub will be severely scratched or dented. This is a very normal phenomenon. If you don't want to go to a garage for repairs, here are some DIY repair steps for you.
• When you have used your car for many times, it is inevitable that the wheel hub will be severely scratched or dented. This is a very normal phenomenon. If you don't want to go to a garage for repairs, here are some DIY repair steps for you.
• First, prepare these tools. 80-grit sandpaper, 400-grit sandpaper, spray bottle filled with water, WD-40 parts cleaner, WD-40 oil stain remover, hub brush, cleaning cloth, fiber towel, alcohol, special soil for wheel hub, plastic scraper, self-spray bottom Paint, self-paint, self-varnish, playing cards or paper.
• Start cleaning the wheel hub: Many wheel hubs have not been cleaned after many years of use. There are already a lot of yellow dirt and oil stains on the wheels. Then you need to spray oil stain remover on the wheel hubs and use a cleaning cloth to wash away the grease and glue layer on the surface of the wheel hubs.
• Secondary cleaning. After cleaning with oil stain remover, spray the wheel hub with a parts cleaner specifically targeted at brake dust, and clean it again with a tire brush to bring out its original color.
• Start polishing the scratches on the wheel hub. After thoroughly cleaning the wheel hub, you need to use 80-grit sandpaper to sand it. 80-grit sandpaper is coarser and easier to sand. It should be noted that the purpose here is not to polish the scars, but to polish away the burrs on the surface of the wheel hub and the dirt in the scars to facilitate maintenance, so you don’t need to use too much force when polishing, just apply even force.
• Clean three times. After sanding, clean it three times using alcohol and a towel. After washing away the surface dust, it dries automatically.
• Repair the damage to the damaged wheel hub. Use special filler soil for wheel hubs to fill the scratches on the wheel hub polished in the above steps. Squeeze the soil on the scraper, apply it to the wheel hub, and squeeze out the air inside. Wait thirty minutes after coating the entire wheel hub.
• Use 400-grit sandpaper to sand and fill the soil. Use a hard sponge and a water spray bottle with 400-grit sandpaper to polish the filler soil. Do not use excessive force and just follow the contour of the wheel hub. You can close your glasses and touch the wheel hub to make sure the surface is smooth.
• Wash four times. Use the spray bottle to clean the wheel hub again, let it dry, and proceed to the next step.
• Prime the wheels. First, insert the playing card between the wheel hub and the tire to prevent paint from spraying on the tire. Take out the self-spray primer to color the wheels. You need to spray three layers. The first layer does not need to be sprayed too thick, just spray it evenly. After five minutes, start spraying the second layer, which can be thicker. Then ten minutes later, spray the third layer.
• Spray paint the wheels. Same steps as primer. Wait ten minutes between each coat and wait until the paint is completely dry before spraying a new layer. Generally speaking, a room temperature of 25° is more suitable for spray painting.
• The final step is varnish. Same steps as primer and stain. The difference is that the varnish should be sprayed closer to the wheel hub, otherwise it will appear.

After the last step is completed, you can remove the playing cards or paper. If you accidentally spray paint on the tire, don't worry. After the tire is used for a while, the paint on it will automatically fall off.

The above are the basic steps for repairing the wheel hub. If you do not understand or make mistakes during the repair process, you can contact us.

How to Choose Rim Protectors？

As we mentioned above, the best way to avoid damage to the car hub is to buy a Rim Protector. Replacing a Rim Protector only costs tens to a hundred dollars, which is very cost-effective.
If you want to buy a Tesla wheel protector, here are a few points to consider.

• 1. Function

Make sure the protector can effectively cover the entire edge of the Tesla wheel, especially for low-slung Model S and Model 3. The protector needs to be able to withstand lower curbs.

• 2.Installation

There are 5 installation types: Clip-on, Adhesive-based, Channel-fit, Magnetic, and Snap-on. If you frequently replace or remove guards, a clamp-style or magnetic guard may be more suitable. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more permanent fixation solution, you may prefer an adhesive or snap-on protector. You can consult us before purchasing and we will give you the best solution for you.

• 3.Color

This goes without saying, just follow your preferences. Currently, popular options include black, gray, or the vehicle's original wheel color.

• 4.Compatibility

Different Tesla models are equipped with different wheel hub models, so the size of their wheel protectors may also be different.
For example: Model S are usually equipped with 19-inch or 21-inch wheels, and some high-performance versions may be equipped with larger-sized wheels. Model Y is usually equipped with 19-inch, 20-inch, or 21-inch wheels, depending on the model version.
When choosing, pay attention to the wheel protection device to be consistent with the model version and model wheels. And you should choose the right wheel hub according to your car model and wheel hub size.

• 5.Materials

Choose materials that are hard-wearing and don't add too much extra weight, such as high-quality polyurethane or special synthetic rubber, which not only provide long-term protection but also keep the performance of the wheel uncompromised.

• 6.Brand

Choose a brand with high user reviews, such as Teslaunch. We have been leading the industry for many years and are committed to producing high-quality Tesla accessories that are well-received by users. You can find almost all Tesla accessories on our official website. If you have any problems with the goods, you can contact us via email and we will reply to you within 24 hours.

How Do I Know What Size Wheels My Tesla Y Has?

The Tesla Model Y comes with different wheel options, and the size may vary depending on the specific variant and the chosen configuration. Here are a few ways to determine the wheel size of your Tesla Model Y:

• 1. Check the Tesla website or documentation: Tesla office website often provides detailed specifications for each vehicle model, including information about the available wheel sizes.
• 2. Inspect the wheels on your car: You can observe the size of the tires to determine the size of the wheels. The size markings on the wheels are usually located on the inside of the rim and mark the diameter and width of the wheel.

For example: 225/55R17. In this example, 225 indicates the width of the tire in millimeters, 55 indicates the series ratio of the tire, R indicates that the tire construction is radial, and 17 indicates the rim diameter in inches.
Once you know the size of the tire, you can determine the size of the adapted wheel. The diameter of the wheel must match the diameter of the tire so that you can be sure that the two fit perfectly. For example, if the tire diameter is 17 inches, you need to choose a 17-inch wheel.
Apart from the above factors, there are some other factors that may affect the choice of wheels for your vehicle, such as offset, wheel material and styling.

• 3. Contact us to get the right size information. We are the top Tesla parts manufacturer in China, familiar with various types of parts. Regarding the Tesla model y model, our main sellers are the 20 and 21 inch wheels, they ensure a seamless and precise fit to the model y model design and the ride is guaranteed to be smooth and safe.

Conclusion

Use the above steps to protect your Tesla rims. If you still feel confused, please contact us and we hope to help you.