For minor damage (just along the rim edge for example), you might be able to use a kit and do it yourself. I bought a < $30 kit from Permatex online. It has a filler paste, sandpaper and paint. I have the silver 21" wheels and the paint in the kit does not match the wheels (found that out the hard way), however the touch up paint available from Tesla works well if you can get the rash filled and smoothed out prior to painting.
I think there is enough of the paste to do at least 2 or 3 wheels (at least if the damage is only along the rim edge. First step is to sand down the roughness and clean. You then apply the paste then re-sand after it hardens. After my first go at it, it looked pretty bad because the included paint was a different color and texture than the wheel color. When Pete was treating the car, he suggested using a very fine wet-sand sandpaper up to 1500 grit. I got some of that and actually sanded off the the paint I applied from the kit (re-exposing the wheel's original color). I then sanded the damaged area with the finer sandpaper and applied the Tesla touch-up paint. Looks a lot better now, not quite "perfect" but if you didn't know the damage was there, you'd really have to look closely. I still need to do a little more fine sanding and will apply some polish. I've put a couple hours of time into it so far. Makes feel that the $190 charged by the service center is actaully a pretty good deal becuase they did a perfect job when I had the wheels done before. The Model S (in my experience) is very easy to rub up against curbs and/or drive-throughs!
Hi Bob.
Very cute. :tongue:
Yeah, its a confession. I have rim guards on my tires that offer protection from future close encounters with curbs and cover over the damage of past close encounters. When I replace my tires I'm going to have to decide whether to reinstall the guards and/or repair prior damages. From the amount of work Steve is describing with all that sanding we may be looking at professional help.
For those club members that have parked next to me, please ignore Bob...He's a fearmonger.
Larry
