Alloy wheel refurb

[smurkenstein]

Hi chaps - anyone know where I can get my alloys refurbed (I live in the slough area). Any recommendations much appreciated . Cheers

[sgould]

I've used these guys a couple of times and found them to be good.  I think that phoenix has used them too.

http://www.wheelrefurbishing.co.uk/contact.htm

[jmblack]

When I looked at this I was as well to get new ones. Not much more expensive and I could sell old ones or use for winters....


Look at this on eBay:

SAAB brand new Genuine 17" Alloy Wheel - £54.99 each

http://bit.ly/115dlVV

[Max Headroom]

I have used these guys three times now Platinum Wheels in Swindon.

I am so impressed with their work I have been back to them only last week as I have found them to be very competitive on tyre prices, and I needed two tyres, but more importantly they are the only people I trust to change my tyres without damaging the wheels. Their care and attention to detail is awesome
Furthermore, they have balanced three sets of wheels and each time it has been the best balancing I have had done anywhere!

[smurkenstein]

Cheers Guys
wheelreburbishing looks relatively close. I might give them a call

[nine-fiver]

How bad are they? I reprinted mine, tyres on, in a weekend for less than $50. Looks like new.

[smurkenstein]

I did try to refurnish them myself a couple of years ago, but the repairs/filler and the paint were not really hard enough and it didn't look mice for long - and it took quite a while to do. I have a bit of an oil leak problem at the moment, so I will probably have to put this on hold   

[Max Headroom]

I have a bit of an oil leak problem at the moment, so I will probably have to put this on hold   

Is the car off the road at the moment for the oil leak? If so,  why not ship the wheels out for their refurb? The turnaround on work at Swindon is very fast - two to three daysat the most! I'm pretty sure any other refurbisher worth their salt have a good turnaround time as well. I was really surprised at how very quickly the job takes, but then I suppose they are all geared up and know what they're doing.

One point I forgot to mention - if you have a choice of finishes, don't go for the standard one - it is very dull by comparison. Swindon gave me a choice (all at the same price) of standard silver, one they called Glitter and another called Sparkle.

The differences are quite subtle, but I did mine in (I think) Glitter - which was the largest 'flake'. The colour shade is very similar to the original but in sunlight the wheels somehow look far, far brighter when sitting next to a relatively dull looking original finish!

Another point to mention is that they do the inside of the wheel properly too - some places finish this area only in a light grey, which is often how they come from the manufacturers. This looks particularly impressive if you have well spaced spokes and can see the inner surface of the wheel through the spokes.

After you get your new shiny wheels back, they will need some protection to keep them that way - there is a lot of argument about various waxes for wheels, but really because of high temperatures and brake dust getting baked on, a sealant rather than a wax is also argued for.
For this, I use Planet Polish Seal and Shine (£9 without the foam applicators) I usually give two or three coats of this with a dwell-time of an hour before buffing it off.
My neighbour uses Poorboys Wheel Sealant on her refurbished Peugeot wheels and likes that product too.

And when you finally fit them back on, remember some sort of jointing compound between the wheel and hub mating faces to keep corrosion at bay even if it's only copper grease very thinly applied!

[David]

You could try the 'home refurb' again.
I have done it a number of times.

Did the Incas about 6 years ago, using Hammerite Smooth Silver as it was a perfect match, and still looking fine. In fact they did not need refurbishing when I had the rest of the 99T restored.  From memory, the cost was around £20 for all 4.

And more recently the Ronals on my 9000. All done for around £2 a wheel - my day car so not too worried about getting them perfect.
9000 cheap wheel restoration
All I did with these was rub down the worse of the scuffing, clean the wheel thoroughly (lighter fluid is excellent) spray with colour, then finish with a good lacquer. A year later and they are still fine. Preparation is the key to get a long life from your finished wheel.

[smurkenstein]

I have a bit of an oil leak problem at the moment, so I will probably have to put this on hold   

Is the car off the road at the moment for the oil leak? If so,  why not ship the wheels out for their refurb?
One point I forgot to mention - if you have a choice of finishes, don't go for the standard one - it is very dull by comparison. Swindon gave me a choice (all at the same price) of standard silver, one they called Glitter and another called Sparkle.

No, I'm still driving the car as the leak isn't too bad. What is bad is the damage it will do to my wallet. If I have to spend a grand fixing the leak (worse case) I'll have to think about buying a new car 

Thanks for the advice on the coating - that might come in handy if I go ahead.

[smurkenstein]

You could try the 'home refurb' again.

Aye, but unfortunately no - there a curb gashes that need filling and I really want to polish and detail the whole car this summer - so no time to spend on DIY on the wheels  Also, one of the wheels has a deformity (apparently) that needs correcting. Mind, if I get the oil leak fixed, a DIY job might be all I can afford.  I actually have the alloy filler and the sprays still in the garage.

[Max Headroom]

Also, one of the wheels has a deformity (apparently) that needs correcting.

I've watched those guys at Swindon straightening wheels while I was waiting - what an art!