scratched rim

Subaru used to put a plate someplace under the hood with the paint codes on it. I know where it is on my '92 SXV, but haven't looked on my 2010 Outback.

First, if it's front, have your alignment checked. Then just sand it off with fine sand paper and leave as is... there will be more...LOL

Problem with just sanding it off and leaving it is that the bare aluminum (depends on how deep the scratch is) will start to corrode over time, so touching it up with something would prevent that.

If the scratch isn't huge, I think a can of the standard "alloy wheel silver" will do. Also, in the past I have used a touch up brush of Toyota Classic Silver on painted alloys. It looked fine - much better than the scratch itself.

I've also had a mobile rim guy come to my house to grind, polish and paint some curb rash on a another vehicle. He had all the right tools and paints. Total was like $80 for 3 pretty good scratches. I asked him do another one for $20 and he did. Maybe you can find a guy like that.

Luckily with the 225/60 tires on the OB, I haven't curbed a wheel yet.

Performance Suby said:

Problem with just sanding it off and leaving it is that the bare aluminum (depends on how deep the scratch is) will start to corrode over time, so touching it up with something would prevent that.

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I had quite a few on my 2010 Forester alum alloy wheels - never had any rust on those sanded off areas in 3 years in FL humid climate...

Untreated aluminium has very good corrosion resistance in most environments. This is primarily because aluminium spontaneously forms a thin but effective oxide layer that prevents further oxidation.
Aluminium oxide is impermeable and, unlike the oxide layers on many other metals, it adheres strongly to the parent metal. If damaged mechanically, aluminium’s oxide layer repairs itself immediately.

Upflying - do you have sensors on those whiskers electronically connected to a display on the dash board? ... just kidding....

Not sure if the standard silver paint mentioned in these write-ups will match OEM Subaru, but at least the process is well-defined and straightforward:

The NASA guide to home wheel-scuff repair... - AudiWorld Forums
Spent the afternoon repairing a wheel with NASA Racers technique!! Band width intense! - - -> - AudiWorld Forums

jogosub said:

I had quite a few on my 2010 Forester alum alloy wheels - never had any rust on those sanded off areas in 3 years in FL humid climate...

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Does Florida use salt to melt snow and ice?
Salt changes everything, pitting and corroding aluminum severely.
Outboard motors in seawater, ....oh never mind.

Bluespruce said:

Got a little close to the curb and put "nice" scratch on one of the rims.......has anyone got a paint code for the color?...or is there one?...

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Don't have a code but there are places that specialize in wheel repair. Kwicksilver Wheel Repair – Rim Repair & Alloy Wheel Repair Franchise

This is for a local shop but you get the idea of what they can do. Like the Paintless Dent Repair they are amazing. If it's not too bad in the past I have used clear nail polish. Holds up well to cleaning and scrubbing brake dust.

Mikelipke:

You may have a point there - I flush my inboard Volvo in Bayliner anytime I take it out of salty water...didn't think about that scenario in Detroit!

I scratched my rim the same way as you did. Toyota silver metallic from your local auto parts store was a close enough match for me. An easy, low cost way to touch it up and protect the rim. Aluminum can corrode, how fast and to what extent is dependent on the type of aluminum and what you expose it to. I have been working on systems designed for sea use over the past 8 years and have seen aluminums like 2519 (likely not what our wheels are made of) go fast with salt water.

I'm glad that this happens to more people besides me. I did the same darn thing the other day. What really ticked me off is that since we have OBs, I could have just driven straight up onto the darn curb before turning the wheels and dropping back off.:cursin:

thanks for all the info....including the "curb feelers"...forgot about those.

Check craiglist in your area, under rims, they should have a company that can fix rims and wheel on the spot like this.

We Can REPAIR Your Damaged WHEELS & RIMS While They Remain on the CAR