Advanced wheel repairs designed for luxury vehicles

Alloy wheels are used to refer to wheel rims manufactured using magnesium or aluminum alloys or both. Since magnesium is an essential element, these wheels are also called Mag wheels.

Generally, professionals classify wheel damage as, cosmetic or structural.

Cosmetic Damage: A superficial damage to the wheel or rim, like curb rash, scuffs, scrapes, or scratches, that may require repair processes limited to sanding and refinishing. Cosmetic wheel damage is generally repairable.

Structural Damage: Any damage to a wheel or rim that compromises the underlying structure, such as bends and cracks. The repair processes may include heating, straightening, welding, material removal, and reshaping the wheel. In most cases, wheels with structural damage are not repairable.

Yes, it is always recommended to fix curb rash damage. Curb rash is the damage your rims or wheels suffer when hitting curbs, potholes, or some other obstruction resulting in light cosmetic damage such as scuff marks, scratches, or finish deterioration. Curb rash can also cause dangerous structural damage to your wheels like bending, cracking, severe gouging, chunking, among other things.

Let us list a few dangers contributed by curb rash damage:

A wheel with structural damage can break apart.

Damage to the tire's sidewall can result in unexpected blowouts.

Continued curb rash damage can result in front or rear suspension damage.

Hard hits to the curb can throw out the alignment on your car.

Your vehicle's undercarriage can suffer damage like transmission shifting, transfer case, or tie rod ends that may lead to poor alignment.

Any vulnerable lines such as brake and cooling lines can be affected.

Therefore, when dealing with any wheel damage, it is always advisable to have your vehicle checked by a professional to determine if the damage is cosmetic or structural. Understanding the degree of wheel damage is important to determine the type of repair.

In general, a standard alloy wheel refurbishment for a single wheel with a size up to 20" costs approximately $100 - $125 for each. An alloy wheel that is 21" or larger will cost you around $125 - $150 per wheel repair.

Generally, chrome-plated wheels cannot be repaired or re-plated because the restoration process produces environmental hazards regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Under the EPA's regulation, the restoration process, if undertaken, must be done by approved plating and polishing facilities that meet certain equipment standards to control emissions with filtration devices.

Due to safety protocols, our shop does not repair wheels with structural damage (cracked or bent). We always recommend replacing a cracked wheel. It is also worth noting that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Chrysler, among others, generally disapprove of refurbishing wheels that require structural wheel repair due to safety reasons.

Auto Cosmetics™ offers various top-tier in-shop and mobile wheel repair services in Arizona at low prices and a convenient way to book appointments, with no quotes necessary. Our technicians are qualified, professional, and experienced in the wheel repair industry, ready to service your wheels at your convenience.