[williamsmichael]

It’s not too bad I guess. It’s noticeable when you are about 5 feet away. I have the grey wheels from the Touring model. Anyone have any experience with do it yourself rim repair? I’m thing about sanding it and touching it up myself.

Get a bottle if modern steel metallic touch up paint from your dealer or ebay. I’m 90% sure its the same paint and matches quite well on my rims. I dont suggest using the clear coat that comes with it.

I have the gray EXL wheels that got chipped on my first long trip. Same color as the gray touring ones. The paint on these wheels is very week. However, wheels are more prone to chips than any other part of the vehicle so its something to just accept or get wider tires to help prevent.

 

[williamsmichael]

The MSM color is too dark for the Touring wheels. I've tried it.

It’s darker without the clear coat but once that’s on I can’t tell a difference. Pretty sure exl and touring gray wheels are the same color and I’m pretty sure it is MSM but I could be wrong.

I used to have a wrx with very expensive gold wheels and used a gold sharpie to touch those up. Imho keeping rims flawless is an ocd fantasy and not worth the time, as is perfectly matched touch up paint for them. Why buy a very capable adventure vehicle if you are too afraid to use it?

 

[williamsmichael]

You said you didn't recommend using the clear coat. Why?

Because its hard to put on for most people and produces undesirable results like a blobby uneven finish. For the anal retentive to match the paint sheen on their rims it would be necessary. I personally dont mind a few dots that are slightly darker. Go park next to an MSM painted car and compare the paint to your rims. Same as far as I can tell. All touch up paint for wheels or for body panels looks darker without using the clear coat.