How to Fix Tesla Curb Rash: A DIY $20 Guide (That Actually Lasts)
If you just heard that crunch against a sidewalk take a deep breath. You are not alone. Tesla rims, the 20″ Inductions and the 21″ UberTurbines are really bad for getting scratched when they hit a curb because the Tesla rims sit right against the tires or even stick out a little bit to help the car go faster.
The good news is that you do not need to pay two hundred dollars to have a fix your Tesla rims. Here is how I fixed my Tesla rims, for twenty dollars and how my Tesla rims are doing months later.
💰 Cost Comparison: DIY vs. Professional Shop
In the US, wheel repair prices vary wildly. Here’s what you’re looking at:
| Method | Estimated Cost (USD) | Time | Quality |
| Tesla Service Center | $400 – $800 | 2 Days | They usually just replace the wheel. |
| Mobile Wheel Repair | $150 – $250 | 2 Hours | Professional “factory” finish. |
| DIY Kit (Amazon) | $19 – $35 | 20 Mins | 90% perfect (Invisible from 3 feet). |
🛠 The Step-by-Step Fix
You do not even need to take the wheel off.
To get started you should use painters tape to cover up the tire. You need to put the tape into the bead of the rim. Then you should use an alcohol prep pad or some Gyeon Q2 Prep to clean the tire. This is important because the paint will not stick if the surface is not clean.
Next you need to sand the metal. You should use a sanding block that’s 100-200 grit to make the metal smooth. You want to keep sanding until the metal feels smooth when you run your finger over it. The metal should not feel rough anymore.
Now it is time to paint. Tesla Satin Black is the color that people usually use for Induction wheels. You should not put much paint on. You need to shake the pen well and then apply a few very thin coats of Tesla Satin Black paint. You should wait a while between each coat, like five to ten minutes. Tesla Satin Black paint is what you are using so make sure you use it correctly.
⭐ Long-Term Review: Does the $20 Fix Hold Up?
I did this repair on my Model Y than six months ago and I want to share my honest experience.
Durability: It has been through high-pressure touchless car washes and a tough winter in the Northeast with road salt. I have not seen any peeling or flaking.
The 3-Foot Rule: If you get down on your knees and take a look you can see where the texture is a bit different.. If you stand 3 feet away it looks perfect. You really can’t see it.
Color Match: The Satin Black pens, from Amazon match the Tesla finish perfectly. The gloss level is right once it fully dries. The Satin Black pens really work well.
🗣 Real Experience: “It’s about peace of mind”
The time I scratched my rims I felt really bad.. After fixing it myself that worry went away. I feel better now because I know if I scratch them again which is likely to happen with these wheels I can fix it quickly and easily. I already have the kit so it will cost me nothing and take just 15 minutes to fix.
It makes my car look good again without having to pay a lot of money to a repair shop.
💡 Pro-Tip for US Owners
If you are tired of the Sanding and Painting cycle look into MagBak RimCases or RimSavers. MagBak RimCases or RimSavers are basically shields that you can put over the edge of your wheel.
The time you hit a curb you can just replace a twenty dollar plastic part instead of having to sand your expensive alloy wheel. This way you do not have to deal with the Sanding and Painting cycle all the time.
1. How to fix Tesla Aero wheel curb rash before a lease return?
You are in the United States. That is great because you can get the best do it yourself kits that are made just for Teslas special paint colors.
The “Shadow Gray” color is an one. If you have the eighteen inch Aero wheels from 2017 to 2023 you need to use a kind of gray paint that is like gunmetal. Do not just use any paint. You should look for kits from Zink Wheels or T Sportline. You can find these kits on Amazon or Walmart.
To do this you need to follow some steps.
- You need to tape it off. Use tape to keep the tire sidewall safe.
- Then you need to sand it. Use one hundred grit sandpaper to remove the spots then use four hundred grit sandpaper to make it smooth.
- After that you need to put the paint on. Of using long brush strokes you should just dab the paint into the holes. This way the paint will blend in with the texture of the wheel.
One thing to keep in mind is that you should do this on an warm day. If it is cold or too humid like it often is in the Pacific Northwest or the Northeast the paint will be clumpy and it will be easy to see that you painted the wheel. Teslas unique paint codes, like the “Shadow Gray” color, are important to get right.
2. Will Tesla charge for curb rash on Aero wheels at the end of a lease?
Teslas US Excess Wear and Use Guide is really easy to understand.
The rule is simple: if the scratches on the wheels are than 6 inches Tesla considers this normal wear and you will not have to pay anything for it.
If the scratches are than 6 inches or if some metal is missing you will have to pay a fee.
The fee for this is usually between $85 and $150 for each wheel, in the United States.
You should use the Tesla App to check your car thirty to sixty days before you return it.
The Tesla App has a tool that can check for any problems.
If the app finds something you should fix it.
If the app does not find anything you should just leave it alone. Not try to fix it.
You can use the Tesla App to make sure your car is okay before you return it to Tesla.
Teslas US Excess Wear and Use Guide says you should do this to avoid any fees when you return your car.
The Tesla App is a tool to help you with this.
You should use the Tesla App. Follow the US Excess Wear and Use Guide so that you do not have to pay any extra fees when you return your Tesla.
3. DIY repair vs. $200 professional mobile repair: Is it worth it?
In the United States mobile guys, like Alloy Magic or local specialists do a good job but for a lease return it is often too much.
They do a job but you do not need that for a lease return.
If you want to do it yourself it will cost you, about thirty dollars. This is the way to go if you just want to hide the silver aluminum glow so the inspector does not notice it from five feet away. It works ninety five percent of the time.
If you want a professional to do it it will cost you between one hundred and fifty dollars and two hundred dollars. This is only worth it if you have Performance or Uberturbine wheels or if the damage is bad enough that it is causing vibrations while you are driving.
When you think about the money if a do it yourself kit is thirty dollars and the Tesla penalty is one hundred dollars you are only risking seventy dollars. Most people think that doing it yourself is the way to go. They like the do it yourself route because it saves them money. The do it yourself route is what most people choose because it is cheaper.
4. Can I hide curb rash with aftermarket Uberturbine-style covers?
This “hack” is really popular on Tesla forums. Lets be real about US lease returns.
The Risk: Tesla wants the car back with its equipment. If you return it with hubcaps from Amazon they might charge you for missing parts. This can cost $35 for each original cover.
Here’s what you can do:
- Use cheap wheel covers to protect the wheels while driving.
- Take them off before returning the car.
If the alloy wheels are scratched just use a $10 touch-up pen to fix them.
If the original plastic Aero cover is broken, buy an one from a Tesla Service Center for about $35.
This is way cheaper, than getting it professionally repaired.
5. Best DIY kit to pass Tesla’s inspection.
To make sure you pass the Excess Wear check in the United States I think you should do this:
- Zink Wheels Curb Rash Repair Kit: This kit is made for the Tesla Aero gray color. It has the sandpaper that you need to fix the wheels.
If you do not want to spend a lot of money you can try the Dupli-Color Scratch Fix All-in-1. The Dark Shadow Gray color, which is also known as the Ford code CX is very close to the color of the Aero wheels. You can find this at AutoZone or O’Reilly. The Tesla Aero gray wheels will look good, as new with this fix.
FAQ
As a Tesla owner, was there anything disappointing about your experience or product?
Nothing disappointing about my Model 3 mid-range. Thing I would like different? The front wheels stick out further than it looks but I knew that before I ordered my car. Knowing didn’t prevent curb rash though.
Disappointing about my experience? Yes, I was very disappointed that the Model 3 mid-range was discontinued almost immediately (within weeks) of the delivery of mine. Not too bad but simultaneously Tesla introduced the Model 3 standard range + with just 20 miles shorter range than my mid-range and priced about $6,000 below the price I paid. Then, to add insult to injury Tesla made autopilot standard equipment on the standard range + which replaced in name the need to buy Enhanced Autopilot costing $5,000 more. I try not to think about that aspect of my experience because I burn from it.
In total that is $11,000 more paid before Christmas than the charge would have been a few weeks after Christmas. $11,000/$40,000 call it a 25% overcharge. This from a company known for its firm-fixed-pricing practice. (At the time)
I’ve tried to talk to Tesla about it and everyone I speak with is sympathetic (whoopee) but tell me that was an upper management decision and they haven’t been given any latitude to adjust things. Of course it has also been explained to me why my mid-range is a much better value than the standard range+ but I have no way to confirm that it is or is not, and I have no reason to trust Tesla or take them at their word now.
Is a Tesla good enough to be one’s first car? If yes, which one?
The current offering, the Tesla Model S, might not be the best car to start off with for a new drivers license holder.
- The car is huge, and a bit of a challenge to park. Almost 5 meters long and as wide as I am tall, you really need to be careful in tight places.
- It is quite challenging to judge the distance from the passenger side wheel to the curb (“Curb rash” is a “disease” many Tesla Model S get, even with experienced drivers)
- Torque and power is huge and instantaneous. Even seasoned drivers have tried to floor it rather than hit the brake – which can result in very bad outcomes.
- The view around the car is not the best. Parking sensors which most Model S have, help a lot, as does the rear looking camera.
- With no engine noise and a very smooth acceleration, speeding is a danger. Using the cruise control is very beneficial in this regard, so far I have been able to stay away from any fines (in Hong Kong, mind you, where there are speeding cameras everywhere and anywhere)