Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Kerbed Alloy

Carving through the wonderful lanes of Mod Wales I managed to just kerb a front nearside wheel: a narrow road and an oncoming car meant I had to tuck in to the near side.

I'd left a good gap to the stone wall, I thought but there as a low kerb. At 40mph a slight touch has removed the paint from 50% of the rim and scuffed the alloy over about 6".

Wheel off today, then time to start work. Fortunately the Aeromax wheels are finished in a BMW colour, A44 Reflex Silber so are easy to match. I've used a touch up pen before but for this area I'll have to get a rattle can...

Photos to follow, I'll take one to show just how the tyre sidewall sits behind the rim and so protects nothing!!

When done I'll put some tyre black on, but in moderation of course!

I did something similar on a hire car a couple of years back. I pulled to the side to avoid a car and did not see that there was a kerb hidden in the grass at the side of the road. Fortunately for me the wheel had already been damaged and it was noted on the rental inspection sheet.

It was a nice drive tho

Peter
If there is any more than pure cosmetic damage, there are now large number of firms who refurbish alloys, albeit at a price. Judge how much metal has been removed and try to imagine what effect this would have on the balance of the wheel.
If it is not significant, then go ahead with the painting, otherwise look up the local refurbisher who has a good reputation.

Andy,

a close inspection shows it is 98% paint damage, a coule of minor points where the alloy is visible.

So, time to get out the emery boards and smooth off the rough edges, prime and then as it is a large area - long but narrow-possibly spray rather than brush paint, even though it means a lot of masking.

Pleasure has its price!

Sorry to hear that.... you and I have spoken a few times about how this might happen.

Peter also sorry you have this problem. I bought on e bay a repair kit for the Merc. Same issue the rims hit first not the rubber.

Sorry to hear this Peter, although I've never fitted them I have a friend who swears by the latest version of these guards.

May be worth a try as they do not seem unduly expensive, certainly cheaper than an alloy wheel repair.

MrsW's Polo has some large (BBS) alloys and from time to time she has scuffed one - and never knows anything about it after........

Where the alloy is grooved, I use JB Weld to fill the imperfections. To mask the tyre I make a curved section of stiff but bendable card. A cerial box will do the job. It's not usually necessary to make a whole circle, although this is easy to do, and if you get the dimensions spot on it will grip between the tyre and wheel, making the painting easier.
I then sometimes jack the wheel off the ground so I can rotate it. Not necessary if the damage is small. A quick blow with grey primer first and if it goes too far, either wet n dry it back, or cut it back with an abrasive.
Finally the silver, and it really is surpriing how on a wheel, the exact silver doesn't seem to matter. it blends well.
Be very careful if you decide to lacquer over the top. Leave the silver a couple of days if you do, and be very sparing with the lacquer, or it will cause runs in the paint.

Finally - I had some bad luck with a brand new tyre last week. It had only done 12 miles, when I caught it in the drive at home and took a small chunk out of the sidewall. The dealer reckoned it was OK but being something of a perfectionist - I had it replaced. When I did it it was careless, and stupid and left me with that sickening feeling of self annoyance and frustration...........

But not as bad as S.I.L's timing chain failure.

Oh and yesterday my hedge trimmer disintegrated in my hands - the plastic had suddenly reached a critical age and given up. At least my new trimmer only cost £66. They are getting cheaper!!!!!!

Unfortunately on aero front wheels, the tyre sits back from the rim and offers no protection at all. Hence it's all too easy to scuff the rim.