Curb Rash Repair
Gouged and scraped wheel lips repaired, filled and reprofiled before refinishing so the damage does not read through the new finish.
↗Wheels & Brake Calipers
The corners nobody finishes.
Curb rash repaired, wheels refinished or powder coated in the color you want, and brake calipers painted to match. The detail that separates a finished car from a clean one.
Overview
Wheels date a car faster than paint does.
Curb rash, brake dust staining and peeling factory clear on the wheels will make an otherwise immaculate vehicle look tired. It is also the cheapest area to transform.
Connecticut roads are hard on wheels. Potholes, curbs and winter salt all take their toll, and factory wheel finishes are thinner than most people assume. Once the clear coat lifts at a curb scrape, corrosion works underneath it and spreads.
Refinishing repairs the damage and puts a proper finish back on. Powder coating goes further, applying a dry finish that is cured onto the wheel and is considerably more durable than wet paint against chips, brake heat and salt.
Color is a real decision, not just a repair. Gloss black, satin black, bronze, gunmetal and machined faces each change the character of a vehicle substantially. A set of bronze wheels on a dark car reads completely differently than the factory silver did.
Calipers are the finishing touch. Painted calipers in red, black, yellow or a color matched to the vehicle show through open wheel designs and pull the whole corner together. Done properly they are prepped, painted and heat-cured, not brush-painted in place.
What’s included
Wheel and caliper services.
Repair, refinish, recolor, protect.
Powder Coating
A dry finish cured onto the wheel, significantly tougher than wet paint against chips, brake heat and Connecticut road salt.
↗Color Changes
Gloss black, satin black, bronze, gunmetal, machined faces and custom colors. The fastest way to change a vehicle's character.
↗Factory Finish Restoration
Peeling clear coat and corroded factory finishes stripped and redone properly rather than sprayed over.
↗Brake Caliper Painting
Calipers cleaned, prepped, painted and heat-cured in red, black, yellow or a matched color, with the option of decals.
↗Ceramic-Coated Wheels
Coated wheel faces and barrels release brake dust far more easily and resist the heat-baked buildup that ruins finishes.
↗Worth knowing
Powder coat or paint? It depends on the wheel.
Powder coating is more durable and the better choice for most refinishing, especially on a daily driver facing salt and brake heat. But it involves heat curing, which is not appropriate for every wheel — some multi-piece and specialty wheels need a different approach. We look at what you have and recommend the process that suits the wheel rather than the one that is easiest.
What to expect
How the process works.
STEP 01
Assessment
Wheels are inspected for curb damage, cracks, bends and finish condition. Structural damage is flagged before any cosmetic work is quoted.
STEP 02
Strip & Repair
The old finish is removed and curb rash is repaired and reprofiled so the lip reads straight again.
STEP 03
Finish
The chosen finish is applied and cured, with calipers prepped and painted in the same visit if you are doing both.
STEP 04
Reinstall & Inspect
Wheels are remounted, balanced as needed, and torqued to spec before the vehicle leaves.
Serving Greater New Haven
Wheel Refinishing and Powder Coating Near New Haven.
Looking for wheel powder coating or curb rash repair near North Haven, CT? Exclusive Auto Lab handles wheel refinishing, powder coating, color changes, factory finish restoration and brake caliper painting for all makes and models.
Wheels and calipers are usually the last piece of a build. If you are already doing tint, chrome delete or a wrap, doing the corners at the same time is what makes the whole vehicle read as finished.
Serving North Haven, New Haven, Hamden, Wallingford, Cheshire, Branford, East Haven, West Haven, Meriden and surrounding Connecticut communities.
Questions
Frequently asked.
Can curb rash be repaired or do I need new wheels?
Cosmetic curb rash on the lip and face is repairable in most cases. The wheel is repaired, reprofiled and refinished. Cracked or bent wheels are a different matter and are a structural safety issue, not a cosmetic one.
Is powder coating better than painting wheels?
For most wheels, yes. Powder coat is cured onto the wheel and is considerably more resistant to chips, brake heat and road salt than wet paint. Some multi-piece and specialty wheels are not suited to the heat curing process, which we check first.
How long does wheel refinishing take?
The wheels have to come off the vehicle and go through strip, repair, finish and cure stages, so plan on the car being down for a few days. We give you a specific timeline when you book.
What color should I do my calipers?
Red is the most common and reads sporty. Black is the most subtle and works on almost anything. Yellow and other bright colors are bold and depend heavily on the wheel design and how much of the caliper shows through it. We can hold samples up against your wheels.
Will painted calipers survive brake heat?
When they are properly cleaned, prepped and heat-cured with the right coating, yes. Brush-painted calipers done without prep are the ones that flake and discolor within a season.
Is coating my wheels worth it?
If you have painted or powder-coated wheels and you are tired of scrubbing brake dust, yes. Coated wheels release dust far more easily and resist the baked-on buildup that permanently stains a finish.
The work
A closer look at the work.
Reference images showing the kind of work involved. Follow our Instagram for current jobs coming through the shop.
Also at the shop
Related services.
Ready when you are
Talk directly with the shop.
Call, text photos, or request an appointment online. We will tell you what to expect before you bring the vehicle in.
CALL OR TEXT ANYTIME203-308-7381VISIT THE SHOP78 Rebeschi Drive
North Haven, CT 06473Schedule a VisitText the Shop
North Haven, CT 06473Schedule a VisitText the Shop