How much does alloy wheel repair cost?

Kerbed a rim? Here's what a mobile repair actually costs in South-East QLD.

You scraped a gutter, and now there's bare metal down the lip of your alloy. The first question everyone asks: what's this going to cost me? Here's a straight answer.

The short version

Most kerbed alloy wheel repairs run around $120–$150 a wheel when done mobile at your driveway. The exact price depends on how bad the damage is, the wheel's finish, and whether it's a straightforward paint match or a specialist job. You should always get an exact fixed price before any work starts — a good repairer quotes from a photo.

What drives the price

• How deep the damage is — a light scuff is quick; gouged, chunky kerb rash takes more filling and prep.
• The wheel finish — a standard painted or powder-coated wheel is simpler than a two-tone or a diamond-cut/machined face.
• Diamond-cut wheels — these have a machined metal face under lacquer. Some can be matched at the driveway; a true re-cut needs a workshop lathe, which costs more. A good repairer tells you straight which one yours is.
• How many wheels — a full set is usually cheaper per wheel than a single.

Repair vs replace vs insurance

A brand-new alloy can run $400–$1,000+ each, and a claim means paying a $600–$700 excess and possibly a higher premium next year. A cosmetic repair keeps your original wheel, costs a fraction of a replace, and usually doesn't touch your insurance at all. For kerb rash, repair is almost always the sensible choice.

Why "cheap" can cost more

The reason people distrust mobile repairers is the spray-can touch-up — it looks fine for a month, then dulls and peels. Proper repairs use two-pack (2K) paint, the same the body shops use, baked hard and colour-matched on the spot. It costs a little more up front and holds up far longer than a touch-up.

Want an exact number for your wheel? Here's how mobile rim repair works — or just text a photo below.