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RIM fix DIY or professionally ?

BBen26 | 2026-02-26 13:50 | 9 views

I recently acquired a second hand Tesla Model 3 (2024) with some damage on the rims, especially the outer part. I acquired a DIY kit to fix it but I’m unsure if that would cause more damage in a way than it would solve. Do you think I can use the kit (which is basically sandpaper, some paste and some paint) or are the damage too severe to try to do it myself and I should contact a pro ?

Comments (12)
turns2stone 2026-02-26 14:02

You’re only gonna DIY that if you plan on some serious sanding. Just paint will look pretty bad.

FLawless______ 2026-02-26 14:14

I jynxed myself pretty bad and rushed thru a touchless wash and rashed both right wheels pretty bad on my new MY. I opted to sand them down, 3 different grits til it was smooth, but didnt get them touched up yet. Put wheel covers on instead. It’ll inevitably happen again bc now it’s my wife’s car 😆. For the sake of being able to clean them without cutting yourself or your towels, I’d at least sand them down. I started w 800 > 1000 > 1500 Don’t go hard on pressure. Shouldn’t take more than a minute per grit. If you choose to get it done professionally it can be upwards 2-300 per wheel although might be able to find someone for 150ish.

dextroz 2026-02-26 16:24

Did you sand them by hand?

FLawless______ 2026-02-26 16:29

Yes, really easy to do. It’s actually hard to notice on my Ys 20s bc the wheels are silver, on black wheels it’ll show just as much as prior to sanding unfortunately

Blobwad 2026-02-26 17:14

I wouldn’t fix. You or someone else is just going to curb it again right when you get it perfect. Hit with some paint and call it a day in my opinion.

Toastybunzz 2026-02-26 17:31

Yep, for a daily just smooth it out and throw some touch up paint on there. It's gonna happen again.

dextroz 2026-02-26 18:19

So you have to paint it over then 🫤

Tradetheday2093 2026-02-26 18:37

It’s ok. It’s a car. Get rid of it in 5 years, it wouldn’t bring you any value

FLawless______ 2026-02-26 19:08

Yea unfortunately bc tesla got cute and gave us primer paint clear coat; my helix wheels are metallic silver. This is pre-sanded, I don’t feel like DIY’ing and will prob get it professionally done one day but the wife is happy w the look of black wheels covers so not worrying about it. Cosmetic doesn’t affect functionality https://preview.redd.it/vka8865k0wlg1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=636611f5b55287dc91700b72e2e690996d1de57c

standardphysics 2026-02-26 23:39

You absolutely can. If you haven't done it before, it'll take some time. It's something worthwhile to learn though if you care about these things and don't mind DIY. But yeah, you'll need to sand it down, use some filler to get back the shape (if you care about that), then just spray over it. Even if it doesn't look perfect, it'll look invisible to anyone other than you. You could also call around and get some quotes from shops. This is one of the cheaper repairs they can do.

McFoogles 2026-02-27 03:49

There is nothing sharpie cannot fix. If you can’t, you just aren’t using enough:)

Quick_Possibility_99 2026-03-01 10:10

I think there are 3 ways of fixing. One place I found will power coat amd build the mixing part, second just paint over it, and third just DIY. The price went from expensive to cheap.

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