Fast Essex
Kerb Damage Repair
- 800+ five-star reviews
- Rated 4.8★ on Google
- Rated 4.7★ on Google
- Rated 4.9★ on Google
- 3-year warranty on powder coating and diamond cut
- 3 workshops: Romford, Dartford, Hemel
Alloy Fix
Restore Your Scuffed Wheels
Kerb damage rarely looks as bad as it feels at the time, but left untreated, a scuff can expose bare metal to the elements, leading to corrosion that spreads under the paint or lacquer. Our technicians assess the damage, match your wheel's original colour and finish, and repair the affected area so it blends seamlessly with the rest of the wheel. Whether it's a light scrape on the lip or a deeper gouge that's caught the alloy underneath, we've got a repair process built for it.
Get your exact price online in a few clicks.Pick your branch, tell us about your wheels and see the price before you book.
Get your price and bookBefore and after
Before & After?
See the difference professional kerb damage repair can make.
From scratched and scuffed alloys to a smooth, factory-quality finish, Alloy Fix helps restore the appearance and value of your vehicle.
- Before
Kerb damage on the rim before work starts. - After
The same wheel, refurbished and refitted.
Kerb damage
How Severe Is Your Kerb Damage?
Light Damage: Simple Repair
Typical Signs
- Small surface scratches
- Minor paint marks
- Light kerb rubbing
Recommended Solution
A local kerb damage repair may be enough to restore the wheel.
Medium Damage: Professional Restoration
Typical Signs
- Visible scratches around the rim
- Larger areas of damaged finish
- Paint or lacquer damage
Recommended Solution
A specialist repair and refinishing process can restore the appearance of the alloy.
Severe Damage: Full Refurbishment Required
Typical Signs
- Deep gouges
- Significant surface damage
- Damage across multiple areas of the wheel
Recommended Solution
A full alloy wheel refurbishment may be required to achieve the best finish.
Know what needs fixing?The booking calculator shows your price before you book.
Get your price and bookHow it works
Our 4-Stage Repair Process
Step 1: Assess & Colour Match
We inspect the wheel, identify the depth of the damage, and match the exact factory colour and finish.
Step 2: Prep the Surface
The damaged area is sanded back and any pitting or corrosion is treated, giving us a clean, stable surface to work from.
Step 3: Fill & Reshape
Where material has been lost, we rebuild the profile of the wheel so the edge and lip sit true again.
Step 4: Refinish & Cure
The repaired section is primed, colour-matched, lacquered and cured, blending invisibly into the rest of the wheel.
Every stage is carried out in-house at our Romford workshop by technicians who repair kerbed alloys every day, not a generic bodywork job applied to a wheel.
Scuffs, Scratches and Kerb Rash: What Is the Difference?
People often use these words to mean the same thing, but they are slightly different. Knowing which one you have helps you understand how much work your wheel needs.
- Scuff: a dull, grazed patch where the paint and lacquer have been rubbed away. The metal underneath is usually not badly harmed.
- Scratch: a thin, sharp line cut into the surface. It can be shallow, or deep enough to go through the paint and into the metal.
- Kerb rash: a rough, wider strip of damage along the edge, or lip, of the wheel, caused by the wheel scraping along a kerb. It often tears into the metal itself.
A simple way to check the depth of a scratch is to run your fingernail across it. If your nail does not catch, the scratch is light and only in the top layer. If your nail catches but you cannot see bare metal, the damage is moderate. If you can see bare metal, it is a deep scratch and needs a professional repair to stop corrosion setting in.
What to Do If You Have Just Kerbed Your Wheel
Most kerbed wheels look worse than they are. But a hard hit can do more than mark the paint. It can bend the rim or cause a small crack that is hard to see. Here is what to do:
- Pull over when it is safe and look at the wheel.
- Check the rim for dents, cracks or chunks of alloy missing.
- Check the tyre for cuts, bulges or a sudden loss of pressure.
- If the car drives normally and the damage looks like surface marks only, it is usually fine to get home and book a repair.
- If the car vibrates, pulls to one side or the tyre is losing air, stop driving. That is no longer a cosmetic problem. Read about our buckled wheel repair and cracked wheel repair services.
Wheels that are cracked or badly distorted can also fail an MOT, so it is worth getting any hard knock checked.
Can You Polish or Buff Out Scratches Yourself?
Very light scuffs on a plain silver or grey painted wheel can sometimes be improved at home. Most DIY kits follow the same steps: clean the wheel, sand the area with fine sandpaper, fill any small dips, then apply primer, colour and lacquer. It takes patience, a steady hand and the right products.
However, DIY repairs have real limits, and they can easily make the damage worse:
- Colour matching is hard. Wheels come in many shades of silver, grey and gunmetal. A spray can rarely matches exactly, so the repaired patch can stand out, especially in sunlight.
- Sanding can go too deep. Pressing too hard or using the wrong grit removes more of the finish and can leave a larger, more obvious mark than the original scratch.
- Diamond cut wheels cannot be repaired by hand. Their bright, machined finish is made on a special lathe. Sandpaper and polish will dull or scratch it further. See our diamond cut alloy wheels page for how these are restored.
- Home lacquer does not last. Sprayed or brushed lacquer often looks cloudy and can peel, letting water and road salt back in.
- It cannot fix buckles or cracks. A cosmetic fix does nothing to make a damaged wheel safe.
Please also bear in mind that a DIY repair is not covered by any warranty. If it goes wrong or makes the damage worse, the cost of putting it right falls on you, and a professional repair may then take more work than it would have done at the start.
Repairing Deep Scratches and Gouges
Deep scratches and gouges go through the protective layers and into the metal. Once bare alloy is exposed to rain, road salt and brake dust, corrosion can creep under the surrounding paint and spread. This is why deep damage should be repaired properly rather than simply touched up.
Where material has been lost, our technicians fill and reshape the area so the edge sits true again, before refinishing it to match the rest of the wheel. If the damage covers a large part of the wheel, or more than one wheel is affected, a full alloy wheel refurbishment usually gives the best finish. Painted wheels can be finished with powder coating, and diamond cut wheels are re-machined on a lathe. Both come with our 3 year warranty on all powder coating and diamond cut wheels.
How Much Does Kerb Damage Repair Cost?
The price depends on the size of the wheel, how bad the damage is and the type of finish. A light scuff on a painted wheel needs less work than kerb rash on a diamond cut wheel. You can see current prices on our price list, and our team will confirm the right repair once they have seen the wheel.
How to Prevent Future Kerb Damage
- Take your time when parking, especially in tight or unfamiliar spaces, and leave a little more room between the wheel and the kerb.
- Watch out for high kerbs, car park ramps and drive-through lanes, which catch wheels easily.
- Consider fitting rim protectors to add a layer of protection to the wheel edges.
- Clean your wheels regularly. This removes brake dust and grime and helps you spot small marks early, before corrosion starts.
Why Choose Alloy Fix?
800+ Five-Star Reviews
Alloy Fix has 800+ five-star reviews. Read what our customers say before you book.
Loan Wheels Available
If you use your car regularly then leaving your car may not be an option - We offer loan wheels so you can driveaway same day.
3 Year Warranty
The only company to offer a 3 year warranty on all powder coating & diamond cut wheels.
Expert Technicians
Talk to our expert technicians about your problem and will advise you on the best course of action.
3 Workshops
3 workshops: Romford, Dartford, Hemel Hempstead. Book at the one nearest to you.
Finished wheels
Recent work from our workshops
Want a finish like these?Get your price for repairs, diamond cut or powder coating in a few clicks.
Get your price and bookOur 3 workshops
Quote & Book
Fill the details in the best you can and book an appointment at our Romford, Dartford or Hemel Hempstead branch.
Essex and east London
Romford
Unit 4, Brooklands Approach, Romford RM1 1DX
Book at Romford Romford workshopOr call 01708 728438
Nearby: Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham, Dagenham, Harold Hill, Gidea Park, Elm Park, Collier Row, Brentwood
Kent and south-east London
Dartford
Unit i4, Riverside Industrial Estate, Riverside Way, Dartford DA1 5BS
Book at Dartford Dartford workshopOr call 01322 617458
Nearby: Swanscombe, Greenhithe, Bluewater, Longfield, Castle Hill, Hawley, Bean, Kent
Hertfordshire
Hemel Hempstead
Unit 3 to 5, Duxons Turn, Hemel Hempstead HP2 4SB
Book at Hemel Hempstead Hemel Hempstead workshopOr call 01442 914376
Nearby: Watford, St Albans, Luton, Hertfordshire
Not sure which branch is closest? See every area we cover or use our store locator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can kerbed alloy wheels be repaired?
Yes, most kerb damage can be repaired without replacing the wheel. The best repair method depends on the severity of the damage and the type of alloy finish.
How long does kerb damage repair take?
Repair times depend on the extent of the damage. Many cosmetic kerb repairs can be completed quickly, with same-day appointments available where possible.
Will the repair match my original alloy wheel finish?
Yes. We use specialist colour-matching techniques to ensure the repaired area blends with the existing wheel finish.
Can you repair diamond-cut alloy wheels?
Yes, we can repair many different alloy wheel finishes, including diamond-cut alloys. Our team will assess the wheel and recommend the correct process.
Is repairing alloy wheels cheaper than replacing them?
In many cases, repairing kerb damage is significantly more affordable than purchasing replacement alloy wheels.
How can I tell how deep a scratch on my alloy wheel is?
Run your fingernail across the scratch. If it does not catch, the scratch is light. If it catches but you cannot see bare metal, the damage is moderate. If you can see bare metal, it is a deep scratch and should be repaired professionally to stop corrosion.
Can toothpaste remove scratches from alloy wheels?
It is not recommended. Toothpaste contains mild abrasives that are not designed for wheel finishes. It will not fix anything beyond the lightest mark and can dull or scratch the surface further.
Is it safe to drive after kerbing a wheel?
If the car drives normally and the damage is only on the surface, it is usually fine to get home and book a repair. If the car vibrates, pulls to one side or the tyre is losing air, stop driving and get the wheel checked, as it may be buckled or cracked.
Can rim protectors stop kerb damage?
Rim protectors add a layer of protection to the edge of the wheel, which is the part that usually touches the kerb. They help reduce scuffs and kerb rash, but careful parking is still the best protection.