Scratched rims within 2 hrs of delivery

[bfournier]

I am telling this story and still not believing it happened. Took delivery of my 2006 m35x yesterday at 4pm ET. Went through car wash around 530pm ET and scatched the heck out of my front driver side rim on the railing the carwash uses as a guide to keep your tires in to pull you vehicle therough the car wash.

Anyway, looking for direction on DIY rim repair. I have done metal polishing in the past and am wondering if this is a similar process and is it even worth my attempting it or should I just take it to have done?

[marlin29311]

I would go back at the car wash and have them get it fixed...it's their fault! And the dealer didn't wash the car for you???

For future reference, wash your own car!

[bfournier]

private sale.

Bought a nice new bucket and sponge.

[jmcclain01]

Take it to a wheel repair shop. You can probably get it fixed for under $100. I would think it's worth it for a car you've only had for a day. They'll have it done in a day or two and it will look as good as new.

[NightWatch]

Very sorry to hear this Recommendation to everyone - Do not trust car washes. This type of damage happens all the time. Even if they put a rubber guard on the outside rail, typically they do nothing for the inside rail. If you cannot wash your vehicle at least take it to one of those high pressure, touchless/laser guided car washes where there is no rail system.

I'm not preaching here... I learned this same lesson as have many others, the hard way. And once you drive away from a car wash it is very difficult to "prove" that they were the ones that scratched the rims.

Not to further dismay you... but you should know that there is no exact match for the paint on Infiniti's OEM rims. The paint is lead-based and cannot be imported into this county. You can come close, but you can always tell the difference in the sunlight unless you have both rims on the same side of the car done.

Hope you can get them repaird to your satisfaction.

[M35 Sport]

I just took my M35 through the car wash for the first time since I got it two weeks ago and I noticed that something was sounding funny where the wheel runs thorugh that track. Unlike my other cars in the past, I think the wheels on my M35 sport will contact something before the tires do.

[NightWatch]

Car washes are bad news guys. There is no such thing as a "good" car wash - soft cloth, touchless, brushless, etc they're all bad. They recycle the water and it gets full of all kinds of salts, chemicals and gunk, the cleaning mechanism that comes in contact with your paint harbors grit and grime from other cars, the chemicals are at the very least ineffective if not harsh on your paint finish. If you value the looks of your car at least take it to one of those "do-it-yourself" pressure washes. Invest in a bucket, a quality auto wash detergent, a soft wash mit and a few microfiber towels. If you physically can't wash your car, then there are "hand" wash establishments out there that will hand wash your car. But PLEASE don't go to car washes...

[New2Import]

WHY and the H E L L are you guys taking a M45 through a freaky car wash! Geez all you need is a good mit and some good soap. A bucket is not even needed. Takes all of 30 min to wash and dry a car. Detailing is another story.

[M35 Sport]

WHY and the H E L L are you guys taking a M45 through a freaky car wash! Geez all you need is a good mit and some good soap. A bucket is not even needed. Takes all of 30 min to wash and dry a car. Detailing is another story.

So what do you suggest when its winter and 25 degrees outside and your car is literally covered in salt?

[New2Import]

Warm water for your hand when it gets cold. I dont really drive my nice cars in bad weather thats what beaters are for.

[candymanfb]

Can't you just replace the rim/tire with the full size spare in the trunk?Keep the scratched rim as the spare.

I haven't given my car a GOOD wash for a year ... cause of issues like this.

Good luck to you!

[M35 Sport]

Can't you just replace the rim/tire with the full size spare in the trunk?Keep the scratched rim as the spare.

I haven't given my car a GOOD wash for a year ... cause of issues like this.

Good luck to you!

I think that is a good call. I forget this car has five real wheels. This is my first car with a 5th wheel spare. (not just a donut)

[ken in az]

I think that is a good call. I forget this car has five real wheels. This is my first car with a 5th wheel spare. (not just a donut)

That's what I wanted to do but I found out that the previous owner had already scratched all 5 wheels!!! I couldn't figure out how someone could be that dumb and curb rash every wheel, but the car wash thing sounds to be the most likely culprit.

I called a few places and they told me $150 for each wheel to repair! Eff that! I'll just buy a new set of wheels for just a little more.

[NightWatch]

So what do you suggest when its winter and 25 degrees outside and your car is literally covered in salt?

I used to live in Oswego NY. I know its not fun washing a car when its so cold outside your nose hairs freeze together But like you indicated. Your car is covered with salt and you need to do something because leaving that corrosive material on your car's finish isn't going to do it any good. Try using a bucket with warm soapy water - not hot or you run the risk of cracking your windows. Go out and buy some Playtex elbow-length rubber gloves in X-Large and some cotton gloves. Put the rubber gloves over the cotton and this will help to keep your hands warm. Wash the car as quickly as possible when the termperature gets above 20 degrees and unlike the summer... try and wash it in the sun. Dry with some microfiber towels. The goal is not to detail the car... its just to get all the salt and grime off of it.

[NightWatch]

I called a few places and they told me $150 for each wheel to repair! Eff that! I'll just buy a new set of wheels for just a little more.

It depends on whether you want to keep the OEM wheels or not. I don't know what the 2006 wheels cost, but new 2008 Sport 19" wheels from Infiniti are over $900 a piece. Another option would be to have them chromed. There are a couple shops on Ebay that will chrome a set of 4 for about $800 plus your old wheels. They look pretty nice and they come with a 4 year warranty.

[ken in az]

It depends on whether you want to keep the OEM wheels or not. I don't know what the 2006 wheels cost, but new 2008 Sport 19" wheels from Infiniti are over $900 a piece. Another option would be to have them chromed. There are a couple shops on Ebay that will chrome a set of 4 for about $800 plus your old wheels. They look pretty nice and they come with a 4 year warranty.

Thats a pretty good deal but shipping has got to be a pain! We wanted the chrome wheels anyway so I might do that. I'll check it out. thanks! I would reallu like to have them Black chromed but I hear that it is super expensive and no one is doing it anymore.