I was recently detailing my car and removed the hub caps from my touring wheels to clean them better. I like the look of the car without the hub caps, the only problem is one of the rims is all scratched up around the perimeter. I bought the car brand new just over a year ago and just noticed the scratched rim a couple days ago. I am concerned about corrosion and asthetics if I run the car without the hub caps installed. Any advice?
unbelievable. i would definitely go back to the dealer and at least mention it to them. as far as corrosion, i dont know the properties of aluminum and the coating that was put on them. maybe someone here would know. bummer.
I love what metagray did to her exposed Touring wheels -- besides adding chrome center caps, she added chrome trim rings : For more photos of metagrey's wheels, plus comments about the trim rings fitment, see her photo album: PriusChat Forums - metagrey's Album: A Few Changes - Picture I believe metagrey is using these chrome trim rings in the 16" size: Flat Narrow Chrome Trim Rings Stylish Look, Great Prices, AutoAmenity
are you sure you didn't check any curbs? I have a few times lightly, just enough to scratch the rim lip. I got over it, seeing how somebody crashed a basket into my rear bumper last year, leaving a nice marred spot I have yet to touch up. A little rash on the rim is no big deal at this point
Hi everyone, I also have the same problem as the scratch aroudn the perimeter of the rim. But i have it on all 4 rims (all in the same spots). I did some checking and it seems the inside of the hub cap also has scratches.. So it seems the hub cap was rubbing aginst the rim. However, in my case I have gone to the dealer to have winters mounted on the same rims and the 4 seasons put on again (so it could be the tire machine or the tech's hammering the rim cover). I have contact the dealer and Toyota Canada. I believe this is a design problem that has caused the rims to scratch around the perimeter. Just wondering if anyone else has the same problem...
I doubt that the plastic ring by itself could scratch the aluminum wheel. I would believe that dirt and grime trapped between the trim ring and the wheel could abrade the wheel over time. I removed mine immediately and after 63 months, other than one spot where I scraped a curb, the wheels are still pristine.
I just came back from the dealer, and they have confirmed the damage of the rim are from the hard plastic at the edge of the hub cap that has been rubbing against the rim (as the scratches are consistent (location wise) with all 4 rims). They have advised that they will have it fixed but would like to confirm with Toyota Canada for a better solution (so they don't need to put the hub cap back on, and have me come back in few mths with the same problem)
Anyone know the paint code for the wheels? I also have scratches would like to use some touch up paint but can't find a code for them.
My Daughters alloy rim was damaged in a accident. Just scratches on the spokes of the wheel. The dealer had some independent rim service co.repair it.......I don't know what or how they do it......but you can't see the difference between the once damaged rim and the others. I would check with the body shop.....see if they have such a service..
We had a damaged alloy rim on our previous HCHII, part of a collision damage. Some machine shop re-turned the rim, planing a very thin amount of the front face. If you're familiar with second gen civic hybrid rims, you'll know, they're the perfect candidate for this. The second gen Prius rims look a little trickier, but maybe still doable, ie: you can mount it on a lathe and trim a bit off. The cost for ours was $175.
FWIW, we've got a silver 2010, and I noticed ding on one of our rims. I touched it up with the paint pen we got for the car, and it looks to be a perfect match for color. I like the pen-style applicator: the paint is very thin, flows in nicely.