My Tesla Model Y Is the Best Car in the World Except for Its Easily Scraped Rims, but I Found a Cheap and Easy Way to Fix Them

Tesla Model Y owners definitely love their cars which is one reason why it is the best-selling car in the world. However, nothing’s perfect. The Model Y has one seemingly annoying trait and that’s its easy-to-scuff rims. This irritating trait started with the Tesla Model 3 and continued to the Model Y. Tesla rims can scrape curbs easier than other cars because the Model 3 and Model Y are designed with wheels that sit wider than the tires and have thin sidewalls. Limited curb visibility contributes to the situation. Also, their sleek aero wheel design adds to the problem, so even small mistakes can leave noticeable damage. Fortunately, there are many ways to mitigate the problem.

From the onset, this has been a frequent complaint on social media. Here’s a post by Tim Cordova on the Facebook Tesla group:

“My wife scraped one wheel 3rd day we had the car Model Y Performance. She hit a second wheel a week later. I was upset and considered new wheels, then I scuffed a rear about month later. Tesla told us it would be about $900 for a new wheel.”

Bar Bor recommended rim protection: 

“Get wheel AlloyGators wheel protection. Covers damage and protects. If you rearly want to get a wheel you can purchase on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. I got four with tires for about $1K.”

Ashish Arora had a similar experience and got his rim dressed at a shop:

“I got mine rashed on day two of ownership. I found a local rim repair shop. They fixed it in about four hours. The rash covered about 1/3rd of the wheel. It cost around $120 plus tax.”

On the Tesla Motors Club, Darren recommends setting the side-view mirrors to tilt: 

“I knew the passenger-side mirror tilts when you go reverse (after setting it when the car is in reverse), but I didn't know the driver-side does as well. I realized this when I was parallel parking on the driver-side today. I was Reversing and tilted the mirror on the driver-side to get a good look at the curb, put the car in Drive to reposition, and when I put the car back in Reverse I noticed the mirror tilted down. My BMW doesn't even do that. Very cool!”

When it comes to avoiding paint damaged rims in the first place, there are a couple of good options.

Unpainted Rims

One of the best ways to avoid getting the paint scraped off your rims from a curb is to opt for the unpainted alloy rims when you first configure your Tesla or buy one used. Yes, the alloy rims can hit the curb and sustain minor scrapes, but the damage is much less noticeable. Also, they can be much more easily treated with a metal file. 

Check out AlloyGators

AlloyGators are tough wheel rim protectors made from a special nylon-composite material. They’re installed between your tire and rim so the protector’s lip sticks out slightly past the wheel edge, absorbing scrapes from curbs or potholes instead of the rim’s metal. Installation typically requires removing the tire, seating the AlloyGator, and reseating the tire (some people DIY, others prefer a professional install). A full set for four wheels usually runs about $55–85 for just the parts, but with installation many shops charge around $280–300 for a full set. The key benefit is protecting expensive alloy wheels from cosmetic (or worse) curb damage, which can preserve wheel integrity and resale value. It’s important to know the protectors add a small amount of weight to the wheels and must be properly installed so they don’t loosen over time.

If, unfortunately, your Tesla rim paint gets scraped, here are a couple of options to repair them. 

Touch-Up Paint

The quickest and cheapest way to touchup paint scuffed rims is to use matching touchup paint. Touching up a curb scuffed alloy rim with DupliColor is straightforward when the damage is only cosmetic. The process starts with cleaning the wheel, sanding the scrape until it feels smooth. Use a metal file for any areas with deep gauges. Apply one or two thin layers of touch up paint that match the original color. A clear coat seals the repair and restores shine. The wheel should dry for several hours to let the paint cure properly.

For the Tesla Model 3, look for the Dupli-Color (AFM0360) automotive touchup paint in Ford Dark Shadow Gray Scratch Fix All-In-1 Exact-Match Automotive Touch-Up Paint – Ford Dark 0.25 oz. paint pen. It can be purchased on Amazon. 

Rim Repair Shop

Rim repair shops are an option to renew curb scuffed rims, especially if they have deep gauges. The process typically costs about $100 per rim, which is far less than replacing an entire rim. They fix Tesla curb rash by sanding the damaged area, filling deeper gouges, then repainting and clear coating the rim so the repair blends with the original finish. You can find these shops by searching Google Maps or Yelp for mobile wheel repair or alloy wheel repair in your area. Many techs can come to your home or office, which saves time. A typical repair takes about 30 to 90 minutes per wheel.

The Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y has been a standout since its launch in 2020 because it blends strong range, quick acceleration, and practical cargo space in a way many drivers appreciate. The cabin feels open and modern with tech features that are easy to use. The Model Y became the best-selling car in the world in 2023, which highlights its broad appeal. This mix of performance, efficiency, and everyday usability sets it apart from many other EVs.

What Do You Think?

Do you think Tesla’s wheel and tire design makes curb rash unavoidable, or is it mostly a driver adjustment issue?

Would you choose unpainted alloy wheels over painted ones to avoid the frustration of visible damage?

Chris Johnston is the author of SAE’s comprehensive book on electric vehicles, "The Arrival of The Electric Car." His coverage on Torque News focuses on electric vehicles. Chris has decades of product management experience in telematics, mobile computing, and wireless communications. Chris has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Purdue University and an MBA. He lives in Seattle. When not working, Chris enjoys restoring classic wooden boats, open water swimming, cycling and flying (as a private pilot). You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn and follow his work on X at ChrisJohnstonEV.

Photo credit: Provided by author, Tesla media kit