Wheel repair

Repair over replacement, wherever it's safe

Pothole impacts, tight parking lot contact and seasonal road conditions across Greater Boston make wheel damage one of the most common cosmetic repair needs we see. Most damage is repairable — we tell you honestly when it isn't.

Curb rash — wheel face and lip
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720 × 420

Curb rash

Scraping contact with curbs, parking barriers and road edges leaves gouges, scratches and scuffs on the wheel face and lip. Curb rash is the most common wheel damage type and, in most cases, can be repaired and refinished without wheel replacement. We fill, sand and color-match the repaired area to restore the wheel's original appearance.

  • Most common wheel damage we see
  • Filled, sanded and color-matched
  • Repairable without replacement in most cases
Hydraulic wheel straightening machine
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720 × 420

Bent wheels

Low-speed impacts with potholes, road debris and curbs can bend the wheel's structural rim, causing vibration, uneven tire wear and, in severe cases, air loss. Bent wheels are straightened on a hydraulic straightening machine to within manufacturer tolerance. We cold-straighten most alloys and inspect for stress cracking before returning the wheel to service.

  • Hydraulic straightening to manufacturer tolerance
  • Cold-straightened for most alloys
  • Inspected for stress cracking before return to service
Corrosion pitting — lug nut seat
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720 × 420

Corrosion, cracks and failing finish

New England road salt accelerates wheel corrosion, particularly on unpainted alloy surfaces and around lug nut seats. Corrosion pitting is removed, the area treated and sealed, and the finish reapplied. Hairline surface cracks may be weldable depending on location and alloy type, but cracks through the barrel or spoke are not repairable — we inspect every wheel for cracks as part of standard intake.

  • Salt corrosion removed, treated and resealed
  • Hairline cracks may be weldable
  • Cracks through barrel or spoke are not repairable
Finished wheel — remount
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720 × 420

Wheel repair at a glance

Curb rash repair
$100–$200 per wheel
Bent wheel straightening
$150–$300 per wheel
Full single-wheel refinish
$200–$400 per wheel
Turnaround
1–2 business days, same-day for minor curb rash
Sets of four
Priced at a per-wheel discount
Get a free wheel assessment

Wheel types we service

OEM, aftermarket, chrome and painted wheels

Repair process and materials depend on what the wheel is made of and how it was originally finished.

OEM alloy wheels
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380 × 180

OEM Alloy Wheels

Factory-installed alloy wheels from all manufacturers — the most common wheel types we repair. Curb rash, bends and corrosion are all standard repair items on OEM alloys.

Custom and aftermarket wheels
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380 × 180

Custom and Aftermarket Wheels

Aftermarket alloy wheels in non-standard finishes, sizes and spoke patterns. We color-match custom finishes and work with oversized and low-profile wheel-tire combinations.

Chrome wheels
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380 × 180

Chrome Wheels

Chrome-plated wheels require specialized repair processes — chrome can't be spot-repaired like painted alloy. We strip, repair and replate chrome wheels, or convert them to a painted or powder-coated finish at the owner's preference.

Painted and powder-coated wheels
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380 × 180

Painted and Powder-Coated Wheels

Wheels with factory or aftermarket paint and powder coat finishes. Damaged areas are stripped, prepped and refinished in the matching color and finish type — powder coating is applied off-site when required.

Ceramic wheel coating
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380 × 180

Ceramic Wheel Coating (Optional)

After refinishing, ceramic wheel coating is available to protect the new finish against brake dust, road salt and UV degradation — extending the life of the repair through multiple seasons.

Curb rash

Scraping contact with curbs, parking barriers and road edges leaves gouges, scratches and scuffs on the wheel face and lip. In most cases it can be repaired and refinished without wheel replacement — we fill, sand and color-match the repaired area.

Bent wheels

Low-speed impacts with potholes, road debris and curbs can bend the wheel's structural rim, causing vibration, uneven tire wear and, in severe cases, air loss. We cold-straighten most alloys on a hydraulic machine and inspect for stress cracking before returning the wheel to service.

Corrosion and salt damage

New England road salt accelerates corrosion, particularly on unpainted alloy surfaces and around lug nut seats. Pitting is removed, the surface treated and sealed, and finish reapplied. Severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity is flagged for replacement rather than repair.

Peeling or flaking finish

Factory clear coat and painted finishes degrade over time from UV exposure, brake dust and chemical contact. Peeling finish is stripped to bare alloy, re-prepped, primed and refinished in the original or a new color — a full refinishing job that restores factory-new appearance.

Cracked wheels

Cracks in the wheel structure are a safety concern. Hairline surface cracks may be weldable depending on location and alloy type, but cracks through the barrel or spoke are not repairable. We inspect every wheel for cracks as part of standard intake and recommend replacement when repair isn't structurally safe.

How it works

Four stages, in this order

Structural safety is checked first — cosmetic work only happens on a wheel that's been cleared.

  1. Assessment and damage mapping

    Every wheel is inspected for structural integrity, crack presence, bend severity and cosmetic damage extent before any repair begins. We use a dial indicator to measure runout on bent wheels and a visual inspection protocol for surface damage.

  2. Written assessment and cost estimate

    You receive a written assessment with a repair recommendation and cost estimate before we proceed. We assess bent wheels at no charge, and blind quotes are never accurate — every estimate follows a hands-on inspection.

  3. Structural repair, if required

    Bent wheels are mounted on a hydraulic wheel straightening machine and straightened to within manufacturer tolerance. The process is cold-straightened for most alloys — heat application is avoided on safety-critical components. Post-straightening, the wheel is re-inspected for any stress cracking introduced during the bend event or straightening process.

  4. Cosmetic repair and refinishing

    Curb rash and surface damage are filled, sanded flush and primed before a color-matched finish is applied. For full refinishing jobs, the wheel is stripped to bare alloy, prepped, primed and finished in the specified color. All refinished wheels receive a clear coat for protection and durability, and ceramic wheel coating is available afterward to protect against brake dust, road salt and UV degradation.

Shop floor — collision bay
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760 × 475

Why this shop

Repair recommended over replacement, when it's safe

Curb rash, bends and corrosion are handled as repairs whenever the wheel's structural integrity allows it — full replacement is only recommended when repair isn't structurally safe.

Written assessment before we touch the wheel

Every wheel is inspected for structural integrity, crack presence and bend severity, and you receive a written assessment with a repair recommendation and cost estimate before we proceed. We assess bent wheels at no charge.

Insurance-formatted estimates

We provide itemized wheel repair estimates formatted for insurance submission and work directly with adjusters when needed for pothole and road-debris damage covered under collision insurance.

Same-day turnaround on minor curb rash

Most wheel repairs are completed within 1–2 business days, with same-day service available for single-wheel curb rash repairs when scheduling permits.

TownDrive to shop

We assess bent wheels at no charge — call (781) 271-9110 to schedule a free wheel assessment.

How much does wheel repair cost?

Wheel repair in Massachusetts costs $100–$200 for curb rash repair and refinishing on a standard alloy wheel, $150–$300 for bent wheel straightening, and $200–$400 for full single-wheel refinishing. Sets of four wheels repaired together are priced at a per-wheel discount. Chrome and specialty finish wheels are priced higher due to material and process complexity.

Is it safe to drive on a bent wheel?

It depends on the severity and location of the bend. A minor rim lip bend that doesn't affect the tire bead seat may be safe to drive on temporarily at low speeds, but it should be assessed and repaired promptly. A bend that affects the structural rim section, causes tire air loss, or produces vibration above 40 mph should not be driven on. We assess bent wheels at no charge.

Will curb rash repair be invisible?

Yes — professional curb rash repair produces an invisible result on most wheel styles. The process fills the gouges, sands them flush with the surrounding surface, and applies a color-matched finish with a clear coat, indistinguishable from the original under normal viewing conditions. Deep gouges that removed significant material are more challenging — we tell you honestly what the finished result will look like before proceeding.

Does insurance cover wheel damage?

Wheel damage from a pothole or road debris is covered under collision insurance, subject to your deductible. Cosmetic-only damage from parking is generally not covered. If the wheel damage occurred as part of a larger collision or road incident, it's typically included in the overall claim. We provide itemized wheel repair estimates formatted for insurance submission.

How does road salt damage wheels?

Road salt accelerates corrosion on alloy wheel surfaces, especially around lug nut seats, valve stems and the inner barrel. Wheels exposed to heavy salting without regular washing develop pitting and finish degradation within 2–3 winters. We remove corrosion, treat the alloy surface and apply a new finish and clear coat — a ceramic wheel coating afterward extends durability through future salt seasons.

Get your vehicle back to factory finish

Free estimates · All major insurers · Bedford, MA since 2005

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