Alloy wheel refurbishment

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

OpenToSuggestions

Soldato
Joined
5 Aug 2006
Posts
11,423
Location
Derbyshire
Hey all.

I need my alloy wheels refurbed, with new centre caps.

The wheels are these ones:
http://www.tchfordparts.co.uk/product/Ford_Focus_16"_Alloy_Wheel,_5_Spoke_(2004_Onwards)_1447901

They have the horrid 'white worm' issue where water has got under the paint, to the point where the paint will soon flake off.

I need a refurb pretty soon. I just rang Ford in Burton Upon Trent and they quoted £20 each for the centre caps and £65+vat per wheel.
For that price I could actually buy a new set of wheels!

I am looking for good places for the wheels to get refurbed in the Burton/Loughborough area. I could go to Stoke/Derby but that is out of my way.
I also want the balancing weights taking off the wheels from the outside and putting on the inside if I can too.
I am a wheel refurb n00b and need your advice on places to contact :).
 
Sounds like you have diamond cut lacquered wheels. If thats the case then the price For charged you to get them refurbished is not bad at all. If you want them finished in a standard paint colour i.e. silver it will be a little less.
 
panthro said:
Sounds like you have diamond cut lacquered wheels. If thats the case then the price For charged you to get them refurbished is not bad at all. If you want them finished in a standard paint colour i.e. silver it will be a little less.
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Ford would want £120+vat to diamond cut the wheels, so that is a big no :p.
 
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I have ordered ' Wheel Wizard' to come out and do my wheels for £160+vat.
Has anybody had any experience with them? A few reviews online are not the best and I am debating whether to cancel the refurb or not.

I want my wheels to look smart, and don't want them re-diamond cut as the same issue would come back.

Im am looking for recommendations of places in the midlands. Places that do loan wheels would mean I could travel a bit further to get the work done if the place has a good reputation.
 
I've had 3 sets of wheels done at Top Marques now and they've all been great, 12 month warranty too. Its a same day serv ice if you drop the car off early enough and they do re-paint centre caps too if required.

They've got loads of finishes to choose from, obviously the more common colours are the cheapest.
 
I have just had mine done at the above ^

I'd probably choose a different colour than I did if I did them again but the quality of work and quality of finish is spot on, they even let me paint my brake calipers in their workshop whilst they did my wheels :)
 
Phil W said:
I've had 3 sets of wheels done at Top Marques now and they've all been great, 12 month warranty too. Its a same day serv ice if you drop the car off early enough and they do re-paint centre caps too if required.

They've got loads of finishes to choose from, obviously the more common colours are the cheapest.
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I will give them a call :). I shall try to knock a few quid off if i go for all 4 wheels and all 4 centre caps.

A few things I have realised are:
1) Diamond cut wheels look a mess when the water gets under the lacquer
2) Man-in-a-van can't balance the wheels, nor can he shot blast or acid dip them
3) Wheel refurbs are very expensive!
 
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Top Marques said for refurbed alloys:
£46-51+vat (price depends on paint chosen) per wheel, plus £5+vat each for wheel balancing, plus £10+vat each for the centre caps to be sprayed. They do strip the wheel, acid bath it and properly paint the whole thing, but **** me £320 for all 4 wheels. No discounts available.
 
Stormster said:
Same as yours I think mate lol nice metallic silver though, bit brighter than OEM.

They wouldn't give me free balancing and I paid cash, but they were nice guys and did a good job :)
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When you say you paid cash do you mean no vat?
If the answer to the above question is yes, then would I get the 12 month warranty?
 
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Included VAT, just cash for the transaction rather than debit/credit card.

They are quite stern on their prices from speaking to their head honcho, Tim, but they'll look after you and are helpful via email if you have any questions :)

They seem to prefer to do it by the book and warrant their work so don't like doing "special deals".
 
I am looking at doing my own as the new audi we've got has some minor kerbing damage so need to strip each one down and will be redoing them one at a time.

Found this thread while doing some research, seems to be easy enough as long as you have some patience :)

http://forums.mg-rover.org/showthread.php?t=427081

My main issue will be using the chemical metal and not the P38 filler he uses in the thread.

I'll just pop down to my local tyre place and chat to them about removing the tyre then putting it back on when the paint has had a proper time to cure and balance them.
 
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sometimes new rims are the best bet unless you are talkin bout gernuine amgs at like 5-600 quid a corner i had some old merc rims refurbed at 30 quid each but i would buy new if available tbh ...
 
I have some doubts over the £160 wheel wizard 'man-in-a-van' coming out to me in a few weeks time as 1) I can't find any positive reviews and 2) he just sands it down and sprays the front afaik as the tyre is not fully taken off.

I really don't know what to do with my wheels.
Getting the Ford ones refurbished at Top Marques will be £317 including VAT. Makes me think I should just go and buy some new aftermarket alloy wheels!
 
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