Alloy refurb basics?

Minstadave · 7 Oct 2011 at 18:44

Having threaded my locking wheel nut and scratched the chipped and scratched my wheel in the ensuing battle I need to refurb an alloy. I've managed 3 or 4 chips through what looks like lacquer and metallic paint. Nothing deeper than that.

Could anyone tell me how much a repaint will cost and how long it takes?

Can you just get a single wheel done or will it not match the rest?

Thanks for the help.

AndrewNR · 7 Oct 2011 at 18:48

Depending on the size of the wheel and where you take it to anywhere between £40-£80 a wheel.

Minstadave · 7 Oct 2011 at 18:49

It's a standard Audi A3 sport 17" wheel, nothing fancy.

AndrewNR · 7 Oct 2011 at 19:43

Google alloy refurb places in your area and ring around.

Probably be cheaper if you take the wheel off yourself and leave it with them for a few hours to blast down and re-coat.
Or you can get places that come to you.

I've personally never had it done so can't help much more, sorry.

red eye · 8 Oct 2011 at 13:50

Were I used to work we mixed a load of ford moondust for one wheel refrb company

Wicksta · 8 Oct 2011 at 14:01

I know Dandle from here had a terrible time with getting a decent colour match with A3 alloy refurbishing, he even took it to an Audi dealer to get it done.

red eye · 8 Oct 2011 at 15:20

Wicksta said:
I know Dandle from here had a terrible time with getting a decent colour match with A3 alloy refurbishing, he even took it to an Audi dealer to get it done.

sand blast and powder coat

Wicksta · 8 Oct 2011 at 15:25

red eye said:
sand blast and powder coat

Quoted the wrong person? I was talking about colour match not method of refurb.

red eye · 31 Oct 2011 at 16:51

Wicksta said:
Quoted the wrong person? I was talking about colour match not method of refurb.

you will never get an exact colour match way to may veribles ford moonshine is probably the closest. you have to key and paint the whole wheel then laqure.

if its a nice car that your keeping then powder coat is more durable then auto paint

coopersim · 31 Oct 2011 at 18:46

I know a great guy in your area, cost £40-£50 a wheel, I had a car resprayed by him and it's better paint than from the factory!

In all honesty, I wouldn't try painting it yourself, you'll never get a smooth finish from a rattle can

Imageworx at Creswell, Notts. I can give you contact details if you want? He'd need the wheel for two days - but I guess A3's have spares?

red eye · 31 Oct 2011 at 19:25

coopersim said:
I know a great guy in your area, cost £40-£50 a wheel, I had a car resprayed by him and it's better paint than from the factory!

In all honesty, I wouldn't try painting it yourself, you'll never get a smooth finish from a rattle can

Imageworx at Creswell, Notts. I can give you contact details if you want? He'd need the wheel for two days - but I guess A3's have spares?

I can get a good finish out of a rattle can its all in the prep after like flattening with 1200grit wet and dry the rubbing compound, I can even get a smooth finish out of a paint brush if I could be arsed to put the effort in