How to repair curb rash on your wheels for less than $15! DIY!

How to Repair Curb Rash for less than $15

My curbed Lexus IS F-Sport Wheels :(

I curbed my wheels! Oh no.  And I didn't feel like having a pro repair it for $200.  So decided to try this myself.  This was my first time doing it and it came out great! Less than $15!


Here's what I purchased:

Sandpaper kit: http://amzn.to/2cvIXWK

Perfect match for Lexus F-Sport wheel paint with applicator and clear coat: http://amzn.to/2cQmJ1l

For German BMW, Mercedes, Audi, you may consider trying a classic silver paint stick: http://amzn.to/2cH7fY7
(Look up your car's paint code to find your closest favorite match!)

Glazing putty: http://amzn.to/2cG5Q4j

Painters tape: http://amzn.to/2dfU0Bn

Start by using painters tape and expose only the area you are working with so you don't accidentally scratch or sand the good paint. Then using a q-tip or similar tool, apply the glazing putty over the affected area. try to be as smooth and even with the wheel as possible so you don't have to sand excessively. Let sit 15-30 minutes

Then take your sandpaper (i used 200 grit) and fold it into a small square. And slowly sand down smooth the hardened putty. Don't be afraid of scratching/scuffing the surrounding paint between the curb rash. do the whole area. After you are done, you can apply more putty and repeat the process. I decided I didn't need the wheel to look absolutely perfect. Just good enough. Then shake up your phantom gray pearl paint and apply it over the putty smoothly. Let dry then apply clear!

The paint I used:

And the finished product. I could've spent more time on it and sanded it down more and smoothed the paint out before applying clear. But I don't have time for it and it's good enough for me. It looks WAY better than before. And from normal viewing distance you can't tell. You have to go up close. I actually had to look very closely and squint to find the damage so i could take a picture. The touch up paint is a perfect match. Keep a spare in your glove box to touch up nicks and curb rash. You don't even need to putty the curb rash if you want, just paint over it so it's not noticeable!

Enjoy!

Mango's Gadget Review: Thrunite TN4A CREE LED Flashlight -- 1,150 Lumens

Thrunite TN4A

The best LED flashlight I've ever owned

1,150 Lumens,  AA-powered,  5 Modes, IPX-8 Waterproof, Distance=326m, $49

Thrunite TN4A CREE LED Flashlight

 (Photo taken with my Canon EOS M3 and Canon 22mm F/2 prime lens)

I've owned a few LED Flashlights in my day including the RAV LED Flashlight/Portable Battery Pack, but none as cool as this.  After reading rave reviews of this flashlight, I decided to give it a try.  I wanted something more dedicated to flashlight duty and a bit more robust and larger.  Something I can light up a whole room with and stand up on end.  I got my Thrunite TN4A from Amazon.  Received it the next day with Amazon Prime--awesome!

Cool things about this flashlight: 

• Powered by CREE XP-L V6 LED with a 20+ year lifespan. This thing will last forever.
• Runs on every day commonly sourced 4XAA NIMH batteries.  Personally I'm running Sanyo  AA Eneloops in them and they're great.
• Waterproof to IPX-8 standards.  1.5 meters @ 30 minutes.  This thing has some serious sealing.
• ITC Technology.  This is fancy speak for temperature monitoring.  The flashlight will lower the current when the LED or driver raises above 80 degrees centigrade to protect from overheat and extend lifespan.
• Intuitive.  Easy to use.  Tap once to cycle through modes. Double tap for "Turbo" mode.  Long-press for Firefly (moonlite) mode.  The flashlight remembers and recalls the last mode when you're ready to use it again--voila.  
• Extremely Powerful.  Turbo mode is NO joke.  Enough power to stand on its end and use to flood a large room with light.  Careful where you point this thing.  
• Extremely tough build quality.  This thing feels absolutely solid and is sealed against water. Not your typical run of the mill LED flashlight.  It's lightweight yet durable. It is designed to withstand drops of 6 ft according to the owners manual.  

Output Modes: 

• Strobe (1,150 lumens/150 minutes)
• Turbo (1,150 lumens/56 minutes)
• Medium (139 lumens/14 hours)
• Low (15 lumens/93 hours)
• Moonlite or "Firefly" mode (0.5 lumens/80 days)

My Thrunite TN4A arrives. Impressive Apple-Like packaging. 

Very nicely packaged. Comes with owners manual, nicely padded carrying case, and loop strap.

What's inside. 

What a beauty

Firefly Mode.  Incredibly cool mode which runs for 80 days!  Very very low power. Perfect for reading or doing something non-critical in the dark.  The above pic is about how it looks in a pitch black room. Those are my Oakley Mainlinks which I also purchased from Amazon and indeed are legit.

For inquiries: e46mango@gmail.com