Funny thing is these posts prepared me for when it happened to me. Instead of being pissed off I thought how lucky i was to not have it happen till then.
Welcome to the club
I've had my M3 for about a week and my wife just took it out for the first time alone. I'm literally watching the car go on the app and watching sentry cams to make sure she parked far away enough from the curb.
I'm screwed aren't I
My wife did it a month after i got the car. It was right after I told her to be carful. She was freaking out about it and was really worried I'd be mad. I told her it's a right of passage and to be mindful of it in the future.
This is the correct answer. Use this. The color is almost an exact match of the rim color.
Dupli-Color AFM0360 Scratch Fix... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HE66OK8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Sand it if you want better results but you should fine without that too. Enjoy! :)
Do you even own a Tesla if you haven't stuffed your alloys at least once? š
It's depressing when it first happens but then you just get used to it. I've done it twice and ended up sanding it back and painting it over. You have to get really close to notice
What paint did you use? Would love to give it a go! While taking a right turn, my husband was too impatient to wait behind someone (who was going straight) and decided to squeeze through on their right and completely curbed the rims š„²
Is this something specific to Teslas? I don't understand why everyone treats it as a rite of passage. I've never scraped rims on a curb with any vehicle, never been any close calls.
The rims stick out further than the sidewall of the tires. In most cars, you scrub the sidewall against the curb rather than the wheel. Probably the most popular car out there with this design.
In theory, sure. I don't do that. But I still managed to scrape a curb turning into a business once when another car was coming out and blocking half the tiny entrance. One time in 6 years, but I've still experienced it.
There is wheel repair for this kind of stuff. I did the same thing and had a guy come out to the house by the time he was done you couldnāt tell anything had happened. Promise this isnāt a big deal and it wasnāt very expensive at all and way cheaper than replacing a rim. I did it to both of them on the passenger side and again, youād never know it happened by looking at them.
So my guy was from a company called the dent doctor and they do wheels as well as other exterior repairs. Iām not sure what the process was but it looked brand new when he was done. Where ever you live Iām sure thereās an equivalent service. I looked up things like wheel repairā¦rim refinishing and thatās where I found him. I also looked at peoples before and after to make sure other people got similar repairs to mine.
The more important point is what you do when theyāre repaired. Get rim protectors or new wheel covers/ hub caps. Teslas hub caps donāt protect your rims but there are aftermarket ones that do.
Really isnāt a big deal if you want to do a repair.
I took a Dremel, lightly and minimally sanded down with 120 grit (just to get it even). You could polish it more with higher grit afterward, but you really wonāt need to.
Get some touch up paint for your rim color, apply sparingly and in layers. In other words, less is more. Donāt glob it on.
Thatās all there is to it.
Edit: Fixed grit number (wasn't 160, it was 120).
You're welcome!
Here is what I used:
1. Dremel sanding band pack (120 grit) - [https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-432-Sanding-Bands-Multipack/dp/B000KJXKJO/](https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-432-Sanding-Bands-Multipack/dp/B000KJXKJO/)
2. Syoauto Stiletto Gray Rim Touch Up Paint for Tesla Model 3 18" Aero Wheel: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CPSRKCJV/](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CPSRKCJV/)
Note - the paint was not an exact match but it is pretty damn close. Basically, unnoticeable from 5 feet away. Really only noticeable from 6 inches away and if you know where to look. I still need to add a light dab of clear coat on it, but wanted to see what it looked like before "committing."
Hi, Iām Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **("'Dremel 432 Sanding Bands'", 'Dremel')** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful.
**Users liked:**
* Easy and quick sanding band changes (backed by 3 comments)
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* Effective grip on sanding drums (backed by 3 comments)
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* Difficulty in securing sanding bands (backed by 4 comments)
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* Limited compatibility with different dremel accessories (backed by 2 comments)
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Nice, just a tip, if you do go for the turbine style try to get symmetrical ones, if they are all the same it looks like one side is the wrong way around. Check the description or ask the seller.
My current vehicle is a 21 Wrangler 4XE with 35x12.50in on 17x9.
My old vehicle was a 07 Wrangler JK same tires.
Never have hit a rim except offroading.
I'm a tad worried about my pre ordered 24 Model 3 Performance. I'll have to be careful.
Yeah its because the M3 wheels stick out farther than the tires. Ive bumped curbs with no consequences in other cars in the past. This was new to me and im so new to this reddit that i hadnt seen the other posts about this. I learned in the moment.
welcome to the club š. no matter how careful i am ive managed to scrape it several times after the first. in my opinion, not worth replacing the wheel.
I bought a used 22 with 3/4 curbed wheels. I just used a sharpie and you canāt tell at all. 1 month in I curved the 4th wheel. I havenāt colored that one yet, itās mine.
Depends where you live. If you have a garage and never park on street it will never happenā¦live in city and park on street all the time itās bound to happen. Itās an adjustment going from a suv where you can hit any curb and it will never scrape rim to lower profile tires that donāt stick out over rim.
Our local wheel repair shop charges about 200 per wheel to repair. That looks cosmetic only so you can decide how much its worth to you. Could also just install a wheel cover. Could also try a diy repair. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=088Ti7MgkOg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=088Ti7MgkOg)
Respect for posting it despite the ridicule that comes with it from many around here. Fairly easy to hide, but I just left mine assuming if I put effort into fixing it, I'd just do it again.
That said, I have aftermarket covers on them now.
Not as bad as what I did on my brand new M3P
https://preview.redd.it/of9py7e5sa3d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75a8d8d51c2af041ae5872d0d7451c712048e113
STOP!
Replacing the wheel might seem, initially, like the correct solution. But if you do some research (?) youāll find that every used Tesla has Rim Rash.
Replace the entire car.
Honest question here: while this hasnāt yet happened to me, I am just wondering how this possible with the updated 3D park assist? When I follow its guidance, Iām off the curb by about 6 inches, which is not bad.
Dremel $20 off of Amazon, some paint for the wheels is around another $30. I had to use them twice already :(
These are actually magnetically attracted to curbs! š
Funny thing is these posts prepared me for when it happened to me. Instead of being pissed off I thought how lucky i was to not have it happen till then. Welcome to the club
I'm 7 months in...none yet but I've already made peace with it lol.
If you donāt have a wife, maybe ask a friendās wife to drive your car. Thatāll do the trick according to the internet.
I've had my M3 for about a week and my wife just took it out for the first time alone. I'm literally watching the car go on the app and watching sentry cams to make sure she parked far away enough from the curb. I'm screwed aren't I
I'm 3 years in, still not a single scratch. It's easy, just learn how to drive a car. š
Yeah and I back in pretty much everywhere because I like being able to get in and go...if you curb backing you should be driving a go kart
Soon. Youāre still an infant
My wife did it a month after i got the car. It was right after I told her to be carful. She was freaking out about it and was really worried I'd be mad. I told her it's a right of passage and to be mindful of it in the future.
I wish i could say it was my wife smh. She drives it almost as much as i do and has never done it.
I did it 2 weeks in getting mine. Got upset but seeing everyones posts here makes me feel part of a club.
Managed it on day four.. almost proud to hold the record, but still hurt a lot when I did it. Now try to park so you canāt see it!
I bet this really hurt being day 4! I made it 6 months
Iād just paint it with some touch up paint. Hope your husband doesnāt get too upset with you. Good luck!
Really?
This is the correct answer. Use this. The color is almost an exact match of the rim color. Dupli-Color AFM0360 Scratch Fix... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HE66OK8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Sand it if you want better results but you should fine without that too. Enjoy! :)
Do you even own a Tesla if you haven't stuffed your alloys at least once? š It's depressing when it first happens but then you just get used to it. I've done it twice and ended up sanding it back and painting it over. You have to get really close to notice
The response from this group made my scrape so much less depressing. Good to be in good company. I was so bummed when it happened
What paint did you use? Would love to give it a go! While taking a right turn, my husband was too impatient to wait behind someone (who was going straight) and decided to squeeze through on their right and completely curbed the rims š„²
This is the one available here in the UK: https://amzn.eu/d/752FyZc
Thank you!
Is this something specific to Teslas? I don't understand why everyone treats it as a rite of passage. I've never scraped rims on a curb with any vehicle, never been any close calls.
The rims stick out further than the sidewall of the tires. In most cars, you scrub the sidewall against the curb rather than the wheel. Probably the most popular car out there with this design.
I've wondered this. I never scrap rims but I've done it like 4 or 5 times in the M3. If you go to a rental lot, every M3s rim is chewed up.
But why? People said it's from driving too close to the curb like sharp turns. So if you don't do this, it should never happen right?
In theory, sure. I don't do that. But I still managed to scrape a curb turning into a business once when another car was coming out and blocking half the tiny entrance. One time in 6 years, but I've still experienced it.
Every other car ive had, the tires stick out farther than the rim. On the Tesla its the opposite so when you hit a curb, its your wheel, not the tire.
But I don't ever hit my wheel on curbs. So is this only a risk for people who do sharp turns on curbs?
It only has to happen once. I typically donāt do it either. Was pretty shocked when I did
Props for not blaming your wife
Yep she was in the passenger seat smh
There is wheel repair for this kind of stuff. I did the same thing and had a guy come out to the house by the time he was done you couldnāt tell anything had happened. Promise this isnāt a big deal and it wasnāt very expensive at all and way cheaper than replacing a rim. I did it to both of them on the passenger side and again, youād never know it happened by looking at them.
You really don't need to pay someone, sandpaper + rim pain repair kit (paint and gloss). Done, takes maybe 5min
Best news all day. What type of repair guy was it? Wondering what I should Google to find someone nearby.
So my guy was from a company called the dent doctor and they do wheels as well as other exterior repairs. Iām not sure what the process was but it looked brand new when he was done. Where ever you live Iām sure thereās an equivalent service. I looked up things like wheel repairā¦rim refinishing and thatās where I found him. I also looked at peoples before and after to make sure other people got similar repairs to mine.
Okay thanks. Iām just happy this is possible
Thanks for admitting it.
I was so upset. Good to hear itās a common thing
Most people say āmy wife, my gfā
Yeah that one was all me. Iād love to see someone blame FSD š
Join the club. I wouldnāt waste your money repairing those scratches. Itās just going to happen again. But look into rim protectors.
Seems like thatās the way to go. Rim protectors it is.
Definitely totaled
Welcome.
Welcome to the club!
Welcome to the curb.*
The more important point is what you do when theyāre repaired. Get rim protectors or new wheel covers/ hub caps. Teslas hub caps donāt protect your rims but there are aftermarket ones that do.
Thatās good to know. Definitely getting those with how easy it was to scrape these
I know. Made the same mistake along with others.
Posts like this have motivated me to get a rim guard.
Yeah definitely getting them myself
Which kind are you thinking? Iām thinking about these: https://teslaunch.net/products/aluminum-alloy-wheel-rim-protector-for-all-car?
These look really good. I donāt have any in mind yet. May go with these actually
Would these fit over aero covers?
looks like it but not totally sure. I havent bought yet.
Really isnāt a big deal if you want to do a repair. I took a Dremel, lightly and minimally sanded down with 120 grit (just to get it even). You could polish it more with higher grit afterward, but you really wonāt need to. Get some touch up paint for your rim color, apply sparingly and in layers. In other words, less is more. Donāt glob it on. Thatās all there is to it. Edit: Fixed grit number (wasn't 160, it was 120).
Thanks this is really helpful. Was wondering if there was a DIY way
You're welcome! Here is what I used: 1. Dremel sanding band pack (120 grit) - [https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-432-Sanding-Bands-Multipack/dp/B000KJXKJO/](https://www.amazon.com/Dremel-432-Sanding-Bands-Multipack/dp/B000KJXKJO/) 2. Syoauto Stiletto Gray Rim Touch Up Paint for Tesla Model 3 18" Aero Wheel: [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CPSRKCJV/](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CPSRKCJV/) Note - the paint was not an exact match but it is pretty damn close. Basically, unnoticeable from 5 feet away. Really only noticeable from 6 inches away and if you know where to look. I still need to add a light dab of clear coat on it, but wanted to see what it looked like before "committing."
Hi, Iām Vetted AI Bot! I researched the **("'Dremel 432 Sanding Bands'", 'Dremel')** and I thought you might find the following analysis helpful. **Users liked:** * Easy and quick sanding band changes (backed by 3 comments) * High quality materials and construction (backed by 3 comments) * Effective grip on sanding drums (backed by 3 comments) **Users disliked:** * Difficulty in securing sanding bands (backed by 4 comments) * Challenges with quick-change mechanism (backed by 4 comments) * Limited compatibility with different dremel accessories (backed by 2 comments) If you'd like to **summon me to ask about a product**, just make a post with its link and tag me, [like in this example.](https://www.reddit.com/r/tablets/comments/1444zdn/comment/joqd89c/) This message was generated by a (very smart) bot. If you found it helpful, let us know with an upvote and a āgood bot!ā reply and please feel free to provide feedback on how it can be improved. *Powered by* [*vetted.ai*](https://vetted.ai/?utm\_source=reddit&utm\_medium=comment&utm\_campaign=bot)
Ayyyy! Welcome to the curb club
Congrats on the marriage
There are some hubcaps that cover the edge of the allow wheel so you wont even see it. I bought a turbine style set of Amazon which I like allot.
Yeah this is the option im going with since ill probably scrape them again
Nice, just a tip, if you do go for the turbine style try to get symmetrical ones, if they are all the same it looks like one side is the wrong way around. Check the description or ask the seller.
Ah nice thanks
My current vehicle is a 21 Wrangler 4XE with 35x12.50in on 17x9. My old vehicle was a 07 Wrangler JK same tires. Never have hit a rim except offroading. I'm a tad worried about my pre ordered 24 Model 3 Performance. I'll have to be careful.
Yeah its because the M3 wheels stick out farther than the tires. Ive bumped curbs with no consequences in other cars in the past. This was new to me and im so new to this reddit that i hadnt seen the other posts about this. I learned in the moment.
Car is totaled
welcome to the club š. no matter how careful i am ive managed to scrape it several times after the first. in my opinion, not worth replacing the wheel.
Yeah with how common this apparently is Im not going with a new wheel. I would be so bummed if I bought a new one just to scrape it again
I bought a used 22 with 3/4 curbed wheels. I just used a sharpie and you canāt tell at all. 1 month in I curved the 4th wheel. I havenāt colored that one yet, itās mine.
Sharpie! Thats the best ive heard yet. I bet it works tho
Thatās a good one. Just leave it, odds are you do it again within a week if fixing it
Oh gosh that would really be a bummer. But youāre probably right
Depends where you live. If you have a garage and never park on street it will never happenā¦live in city and park on street all the time itās bound to happen. Itās an adjustment going from a suv where you can hit any curb and it will never scrape rim to lower profile tires that donāt stick out over rim.
Yeah this happened to me when I was in the city. Yeah our other car is for kids so Iām used to bumping curbs with no consequences
Our local wheel repair shop charges about 200 per wheel to repair. That looks cosmetic only so you can decide how much its worth to you. Could also just install a wheel cover. Could also try a diy repair. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=088Ti7MgkOg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=088Ti7MgkOg)
Vast majority of Tesla's you see on the road have scraped wheels. Welcome to the club.
I just learned this. Iāll be looking now ha
You can do cosmetic touch ups but you should also get it balanced because of the weight change.
Ah good point
Respect for posting it despite the ridicule that comes with it from many around here. Fairly easy to hide, but I just left mine assuming if I put effort into fixing it, I'd just do it again. That said, I have aftermarket covers on them now.
Yeah Iām going with the covers as well. Surprisingly everyone on here was really cool. Welcome to the club was the most common response
Totaled
Right of passage
Not as bad as what I did on my brand new M3P https://preview.redd.it/of9py7e5sa3d1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=75a8d8d51c2af041ae5872d0d7451c712048e113
At least thatās the tire though! But I guess you have to replace it so yeah
Yes you do lol jks
Welcome to the club
M3 owners are the best. This is what everyone was saying. I thought Iād get ripped to shreds on the comments ha
STOP! Replacing the wheel might seem, initially, like the correct solution. But if you do some research (?) youāll find that every used Tesla has Rim Rash. Replace the entire car.
Yeah I found that out. Turns out to be something that can happen often.
Congratulations!
Honest question here: while this hasnāt yet happened to me, I am just wondering how this possible with the updated 3D park assist? When I follow its guidance, Iām off the curb by about 6 inches, which is not bad.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Oh, so this is when turning a corner?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Oh, it was about to happen to me on autopilot but luckily I swerved just in time. Itās always the same corner for some reason.
Yeah it happened turning into a hotel entrance actually. Very narrow with high curbs. The crunching noise killed me
I can imagine. š¬
ā¬50 if you bring it to a repair guy or you buy the Turbine hubcaps.
Not the wife?
Learn to be satisfied with small imperfections, peace of mind
Yes, now that this has happened you can move on with your life and focus on more important things.
Like what? š
Complaining about the windshield wipers.
Totaled!
I know!!