snagitseven

So I finally did it. I cut too close to a corner curb on a U turn and did a number on my RR wheel. And not just a rash but an honest to goodness, bunch of chunks taken out. Big Bummer.

So I got on the phone and no matter which of the 5 or 6 wheel repair places I called, they wanted me to leave the wheel for several days. Some even said they were doubtful they would be able to match the Audi paint. (Aren't these guys supposed to ne wheel repair specialists)?

Then, I called my dealer. My service guy said no problem, "we have a independent wheel guy who comes in every Wednesday and performs miracles for $150" (about what I was quoted from others), Best of all, he would do it same day while they replaced my exhaust tips and side windshield strips under warranty. As usual, I was given a free loaner for the day (Q5 this time).

Below are shots before and after the repair. Frankly, he did such a great job, despite best efforts, I couldn't find exactly on the wheel where the repair was made, so a bit of guessing on the "after" photo. Amazing job.

The tips, which I didn't clean and polish as regularly as I should have, developed some pitting on the rims from soot. The side trim strips, as discussed in another thread, were faded and discolored due to waxing and maybe UV damage. After the installs when I got home, I treated the tips with Wolfgang Metalwerk Sealant and then waxed them. The strips will be treated with my ordered Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, both of which have received excellent reviews and hopefully will prevent the issues from happening again. (Tip: don't wax the windshield strips and get a trim sealant unless it's too late and they're shot. Replacement and a sealant is the only cure for a permanent fix).

BTW, the exhaust tips on the car are pre-soldered to the exhaust system at the factory. The replacements are identical but the old ones had to be cut off and the new ones were fastened by Audi brackets to the pipe. Again, the service guys did a good job. (The brackets don't come with the tips and have to be ordered separately).

Bottom line is my wheel looks like new, I have new tips and windshield trim strips. And all done in one day. Sweet. Now I have to really watch out for curbs. (FYI: My dealer is Audi Westwood in MA).

RobC

Hint: You can figure out where the wheel was damaged by looking near the "DOT" that's printed on your tire.

I too have had good results on wheel repair (on the S4). There's a mobile guy in Atlanta that comes to you. $125 and 60 minutes later he's done and you can't tell where the repair occurred. Your local wheel places need to step it up .

tenspeed

I was thinking about the "DOT" too but if I was repairing a rim, the tire removal would be the first step. Check to see if the original balancing weights are in place.

Either way, the rim looks great. I'll have to check out that trim sealant. Didn't know the product existed.

BTW - what does a "Audi bracket" look like? I'm not familiar with the term.

RobC

My mobile guy doesn't remove the wheel from the car, let alone the tire from the wheel. I just assumed all wheel repair places did it that way for minor scuffs like this.

psychodo

What was going on with the exhaust tips?

snagitseven

I can't tell where the repair is on the wheel - there's nothing visible by the Dot or anywhere else. Not sure if the tire was removed from wheel or not. The weights look clean but can't tell if they are new ones. I have no vibrations though. I'll have to ask my service guy if the tire was removed from the wheel. I do know the wheel was off the car during the repair.

By Audi bracket I meant it's an Audi part specifically designed to attach the tips to the exhaust pipe. .

snagitseven

It's in my OP.

snagitseven

That may be what the repair guy did but just for the record, this was no "minor" scuff". It took chunks of metal out of the wheel, I'm guessing about 1/8" into the metal. I actually did have a minor rash in the opposite side of the rim which he also repaired, A two-fe,r or in this case, a 7-fer if you count every gouge and the aforementioned rash.

u2jrmw

That is pretty amazing. When a guy at work had his rim fixed a guy with a trailer came by took the wheel off and went inside the trailer for about two hours.

slingblade

Good to know, I work in Walpole and go by there every day