Can you identify the cause of these mystery wheel scratches?

[ToddRLockwood]

When I changed to my winter wheels recently, I noticed these peculiar scratches on the inner surface of my 21-inch left-front wheel. The other three wheels were not affected.

Any theories?

 

[jhs_7645]

When I changed to my winter wheels recently, I noticed these peculiar scratches on the inner surface of my 21-inch left-front wheel. The other three wheels were not affected.

Any theories?

View attachment 101817

the pattern suggests driving the car (probably slowly) against something like a rail. Could be from a car wash since it's on the inner side of the wheel?

 

[beeeerock]

the pattern suggests driving the car (probably slowly) against something like a rail. Could be from a car wash since it's on the inner side of the wheel?

I would agree with this suggestion. The apparent radius of the scratches had me fooled at first, but the rolling motion of the wheel would create almost a 'U' shaped scratch... the rest of which would have been on the rubber and thus invisible.

 

[jerry33]

Almost certainly they are from car wash rails. You're lucky they didn't tear up the tires--it's not that uncommon.

 

[sledhead36]

I agree