You can repair gutter rash and curb rash on a gloss black rim by washing and degreasing it, sanding it smooth, masking the tyre, then spraying 2K paint and clear while the wheel stays on the car. You’ll need degreaser, sanding tools, masking materials, a spray gun, 2K paint, and safety gear (gloves and a mask). This guide follows Raj Sehgal’s exact order: clean, dry, sand, mask, then paint and clear.
Watch Raj Sehgal repair a gloss black rim above, or keep reading for the step-by-step breakdown.
What Tools And Materials Do You Need For Rim Repair?
Tools and materials Raj mentions or uses in the demo:
- Degreaser
- Washing gear (water and whatever you normally wash a rim with)
- Drying towels or cloths
- Stoppers (to stop the car rolling over)
- Jack
- Sanding tools (for sanding, smoothing, and scuffing)
- Masking materials (to mask the tyres)
- Mixed paint
- 2K paint (Raj: “We use 2K paint, we don’t use acrylic”)
- Clear (Raj sprays “paint and clear”)
- Spray gun
- Gloves
- Mask
If you’re dealing with more than just rim scuffs (like bumper bar marks Raj also mentions), this kind of cosmetic work sits in the same world as scratch and dent repairs. See this.
Step-By-Step Rim Repair For Curb Rash (Raj’s On-Car Method)
Step 1: Wash the Rim
Raj starts with a wash.
- Wash the rim first.
- Apply degreaser and clean it again, focusing on the gutter rashes and curb rash areas.
- Raj’s order is clear: “I’ll clean and wash, and I’ll degrease it, then I’ll sand it and paint it.”
Step 2: Dry the Rim Properly
Raj calls this out right after cleaning.
- Dry the rim completely.
- Make sure you aren’t leaving wet patches around the damage or along the rim edge.
Step 3: Secure the Car Before You Work
Raj’s set-up is about stability and speed.
- Put the stoppers on to stop the car rolling over.
- Put the jack in place.
- Keep the wheel on the car. Raj says they “don’t remove the wheels from the car”, so there’s “no issues,” and they “can do repair while it’s on the car.”
If you’re ever unsure about safety or set-up, it’s worth reading how Jim’s approaches work standards and customer protection.
Step 4: Sand the Damage Smooth
This is where the repair starts to look like a repair.
- Sand the damaged section until it feels smooth.
- Keep sanding and smoothing until the sharp edges from the curb impact are gone.
Step 5: Scuff the Rim for Paint and Clear
Raj doesn’t just sand the damaged spot. He preps the rim for the finish.
- Scuff the rim where you plan to apply paint and clear.
- Raj’s goal is to “scuff it all the rim to put the paint and clear on.”
Step 6: Clean the Rim Again Before Spraying
Raj repeats this point.
- Clean the rim again after sanding and scuffing.
- Raj says, “We have to clean this properly before we apply paint and clear.”
Step 7: Mask the Tyres
Masking keeps the job tidy.
- Mask the tyres before you spray anything.
- Take your time around the rim edge, because that’s where overspray looks the worst.
Step 8: Use 2K Paint, Not Acrylic
Raj is blunt about the product choice.
- Mix the paint before you spray
- Use 2K paint.
- Don’t use acrylic. Raj’s exact line is: “Most importantly, we use 2K paint, we don’t use acrylic.”
Step 9: Put Your Gloves and Mask On
Raj treats PPE as part of the process.
- Put your gloves on.
- Put your mask on.
- Raj says, “Always wear gloves and a mask.”
Step 10: Spray With a Spray Gun (Not a Spray Can)
Raj’s reason is control.
- Spray the paint with a spray gun.
- Raj says a spray gun gives you “more control.”
- He says with a spray can, you don’t have enough control, and it can go everywhere.
- His goal is “less overspray or no overspray.”
Step 11: Apply Clear and Check the Finish
Raj finishes the rim with clear and checks the gloss.
- Apply clear after the paint.
- Check that the rim is “all been cleared and glossed.”
- Look for a consistent gloss black finish that blends across the repaired edge and the rest of the rim.
- Raj’s goal is for the rim to look “brand new”, especially on “expensive rims.”
Common Mistakes That Make Gloss Black Rims Look Worse
These are the quickest ways to ruin the result Raj is aiming for.
- Skipping the stoppers and jack set-up. Raj tells you to “make sure you put the stoppers” and “put the jack.”
- Spraying before the rim is dry. Raj washes, degreases, and then dries before sanding.
- Sanding the damage but not scuffing the rim for paint and clear. Raj scuffs the rim so paint and clear can go on.
- Spraying without masking the tyres. Raj masks the tyres before he sprays.
- Using acrylic paint. Raj says they use 2K paint and “don’t use acrylic.”
- Use a spray can when you need control. Raj says a spray gun helps control the paint and reduce overspray.
- Skipping gloves and a mask. Raj says, “Always wear gloves and a mask.”
When Should You Stop DIY And Call A Professional?
Call a professional when the rim damage goes beyond a surface scrape, or when you don’t have the gear Raj uses (especially a spray gun and 2K paint).
Book a pro if:
- The rim is cracked, bent, or badly gouged.
- You want the gloss black to match cleanly, and you don’t want to guess your way through paint and clear.
- You’re working in a tight driveway or garage, and you can’t control overspray.
Raj also mentions a practical option: if he’s already at a customer’s place for car detailing and he sees rims needing repair, he offers rim repair and bumper bar repair.
To enquire, start here:
FAQ: Repairing Curb Rash On A Gloss Black Rim
Yes. Raj says they “don’t remove the wheels from the car”, so they can do the repair while it’s on the car.
They’re used the same way in this demo. Raj talks about “gutter rashes and curb rash” as the common scrape damage from hitting the curb.
Raj’s exact line is: “Most importantly, we use 2K paint, we don’t use acrylic.”
Raj says a spray gun gives you more control. He says a spray can can “go everywhere”, while a spray gun means “less overspray or no overspray.”
Raj says when he goes for car detailing at the customer’s place, he offers rim repair and bumper bar repair if he sees the need.
Raj’s finished rim is “all been cleared and glossed”. You want a smooth repair area with a consistent gloss black finish that looks “brand new”.