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In a stroke of bad luck, I got a screw in my tire. When I was getting the tire patched, the tire shop had an accident and scratched the wheel.
So, the manager at the tire shop offered to have a guy from Alloy Wheel Repair come out and fix the scratch and pay for it themselves.
Unfortunately, the guy admitted that, while he's done a couple of wheels similar to this finish before, they are "special". So, in order to get as close as possible, he buffed off the original finish around the scratch, applied some Hyper Silver, and the sprayed over it with a gloss-black finish. To be honest, to me it just looks like gloss-black right now, but the guy suggested I wait at least two days before giving a final evaluation on its appearance. Since it will harden over time, he thinks it will look more glossy once it is dry. But, he also offered to follow-up if it did not look right.
Just wanted to share the results once it's dry for future reference, since these wheels are pretty common on 2021+ IS 350s but nonetheless are have a fairly unique finish.
Sorry to hear about that, it sucks that is partially why I am happy our finish in Canada is different and just a gun metal painted wheel, much easier to repair.
My wife curbed one of hers by accident too. Unfortunately, 3 different wheel repair shops wouldn't touch it. It has be be sent off and rechromed. I filled in the curbed spot with black sharpie for now, and it's hardly noticeable. But I know it's there. And it aggravates me to no end. But I don't want to spend $300 minimum to send this wheel off and get it repaired. I will just replace all 4 with something aftermarket anyway, so not worth it to me.
Can you post up some close up pics of the repair? I would like to see them anyway.
My wife curbed one of hers by accident too. Unfortunately, 3 different wheel repair shops wouldn't touch it. It has be be sent off and rechromed. I filled in the curbed spot with black sharpie for now, and it's hardly noticeable. But I know it's there. And it aggravates me to no end. But I don't want to spend $300 minimum to send this wheel off and get it repaired. I will just replace all 4 with something aftermarket anyway, so not worth it to me.
Can you post up some close up pics of the repair? I would like to see them anyway.
Yikes. If that's what it takes, I think I'll just continue to work with these guys.
I can get a photo later on.
For the record... I did not curb the wheel, the tire shop damaged it. So whatever happens, at least I am not having to pay for it.
Yeah, it's... just gloss-black. Doesn't really match. I will have to get it in direct sunlight and see how it looks. Not really happy with how un-smooth it is.
Yeah I see it. Sunlight won't help. It is simply black paint sprayed over the chrome. Not gonna match unless they rechrome it. Sorry about your luck man. At least the shop will have to pay for it. The cheapest I was quoted for that was $300 to rechrome and $240 to fix/smooth out the curbed part. That's why I won't do anything with ours. It looks like he literally sprayed over the scratches and everything? Not very professional at all.
Yeah I see it. Sunlight won't help. It is simply black paint sprayed over the chrome. Not gonna match unless they rechrome it. Sorry about your luck man. At least the shop will have to pay for it. The cheapest I was quoted for that was $300 to rechrome and $240 to fix/smooth out the curbed part. That's why I won't do anything with ours. It looks like he literally sprayed over the scratches and everything? Not very professional at all.
Yeah I feel pretty stupid. This whole thing was because of a random screw in my tire that was supposed to cost me $0 to fix. Of course they had a guy back there doing my tire with a freaking cast on. Big surprise that he had an accident while handling a ~30 pound wheel.
I am thinking of going back to the Discount Tire and asking them to get me a new wheel - meanwhile, telling them not to use/recommend this wheel repair place.
Yeah, it's... just gloss-black. Doesn't really match. I will have to get it in direct sunlight and see how it looks. Not really happy with how un-smooth it is.
Sorry man, it looks kinda burnt. Hopefully the wheel repair guys can come up with something else that closer resembles the factory finish.
Friend of mine that works at a dealer in PA said they had to cancel/refund several 2021 IS350 customers who purchase the wheel/tire care plan since the dealer isn't able to properly repair or refinish any damaged dark chrome wheels.
^^ To be honest, they damaged it, they should replace it. I am not one to be rude but seriously, from that pic, that repair job looks Badddddd!!! I would never accept that and ask that they provide you with a new wheel. You shouldn't feel bad, you put your trust in them and they let you down. If you went in their store and damaged something, they'd expect you to make it right, so that is your right to have it brought back the way it was prior. If they felt they couldn't do the repair to your tire without damaging your wheel, they should have informed you, but they didn't and that will cost them...What is the old expression, you break it, you buy it?!
^^ To be honest, they damaged it, they should replace it. I am not one to be rude but seriously, from that pic, that repair job looks Badddddd!!! I would never accept that and ask that they provide you with a new wheel. You shouldn't feel bad, you put your trust in them and they let you down. If you went in their store and damaged something, they'd expect you to make it right, so that is your right to have it brought back the way it was prior. If they felt they couldn't do the repair to your tire without damaging your wheel, they should have informed you, but they didn't and that will cost them...What is the old expression, you break it, you buy it?!
I think you have a good point... Taking to the scratch with a gray Sharpie would've been a better fix than this! What's mind-boggling to me is how far outside the area around the scratch he went. If he had only done the fix in the immediate area of the scratch, maybe that would've been fine. The way I see it, it's either I replace the wheel or make an intentional aesthetic choice and have the wheels repainted in another color. It's never going to look right again now.
I'm with wthrman2 on this. Make them give you a new wheel. It is clear that they can't repair this to like new condition. You didn't mess it up, they did.
On another note, the Hyper Silver would have been a better match I believe. These wheels aren't black, even though people think they are. They are indeed smoked chrome. The only way to get that color is to tint the chrome and redip. Spray paint will never mimic this.
As for telling them not to refer this place, I wouldn't. They obviously like his/her work, and they apparently damage enough wheels they need someone on retainer. I'd keep that part to myself. But would certainly demand a new wheel.
I'm with wthrman2 on this. Make them give you a new wheel. It is clear that they can't repair this to like new condition. You didn't mess it up, they did.
On another note, the Hyper Silver would have been a better match I believe. These wheels aren't black, even though people think they are. They are indeed smoked chrome. The only way to get that color is to tint the chrome and redip. Spray paint will never mimic this.
As for telling them not to refer this place, I wouldn't. They obviously like his/her work, and they apparently damage enough wheels they need someone on retainer. I'd keep that part to myself. But would certainly demand a new wheel.
That's fair, but then again, based on @wthrman2 's comments above they should know the difference between a chromed wheel and paint. Maybe you're right, but I am going to judge them silently if nothing else. lol I am a judgy type.
Will see what the tire shop says tomorrow if I can make it over there.
Repairing scratch on the dark-chrome wheels
that is partially why I am happy our finish in Canada is different and just a gun metal painted wheel, much easier to repair.
