Diamond cut refurb

Soldato
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14 Dec 2004
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Looking to get my wheels refurbed, as the spray job that's been done prior to buying the car, is rubbish.
I'm tempted to go back to the original diamond cut look.
A place near me offers a 6month warranty on diamond cut refurbs.
So what I'm asking is, who's had this done and how long will the realistically last?
It's quite an outlay if it's not going to last 2/3 years minimum and then I'd potentially just get a single colour powder coat.
 
Joined
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A fresh diamond cut with lacquer over it should make the wheels look brand new.
They will over time get that horrible 'white rust' look as water gets under the lacquer though.
Have a look at 'white worm diamond cut alloys' on Google images. That is what I had on my Focus.

I got the whole wheel painted in the original colour, including over the diamond cut areas.
I honestly believe that diamond cut wheels were designed to look good in the show room, but they don't last.
 
Caporegime
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On brand new diamond cuts wheels in the Uk with winters and salt you only get 2 to 3 years before some of your wheels look ropey and need a refresh.
 
Soldato
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I had diamond cut wheels and one of them needed to be refurbed only a few months after buying the car due to a minor accident. After a couple of years, it started to look ropey and I ended up having all 4 wheels refurbed to change the colour and ditch the diamond cut - however to be fair, the wheels which were still originally diamond cut still looked okay....just didn't like the colour.

My advice would be get them refurbed in a single colour and not bother with the diamond cut. It seems that every car on the road has diamond cut allows these days, and I don't think it looks particularly good personally.
 
Associate
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I had 2 replaced under Warranty that had white worm on my Golf GTI in the second year. The other two developed the same after a couple more months and the warranty was refused. Then one of the new ones started to go and they blamed a stone chip until I pointed out it was on a trailing edge of the wheel.

The trouble is (with VW anyway) is you have a highly polished diamond cut wheel and then they try to get lacquer to stick to the polished surface. So I am getting mine powder coated in a few weeks so it will be a permanent fix.

Oh and remember a wheel can only be refurbed a couple of times if diamond cut as every refurb removes metal.
 
Permabanned
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Mine are horrendous especially the front 2. Been thinking of either replacing them completely or getting a refurb. Think I’ll steer clear of diamond cut though which is a shame as I’d prefer to keep it standard looking.
 
Soldato
OP
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Diamond cut wheels like better than painted ones IMO when they look good.
This is why I want to do it and it's the original look.

I mean, I can just do it, then single colour it later, as said above, diamond cutting can't be done over and over.

Will just be more £££ overall. Arghhh :cry:
 
Associate
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my diamond cut wheels looked a bit rubbish after a few years so I just got them powder coated a good few years ago at a local place for £180 - still look like new once washed so don't regret it.
 
Soldato
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If you've got the Skoda 19s, even though it's potentially a pain, I'd stick with the diamond cut.

Personally think they look really weird done all one colour but with a weird raised pattern where the diamond cut used to be.

The 18s aren't as bad because the diamond cut lines follow the lines of the wheel, so it ends up looking OK either way.
 

NVP

NVP

Soldato
Joined
6 Sep 2007
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12,649
You need to ensure it's done at a specialist. I used to get my diamond cut done by a company in Milton Keynes who the porsche dealership (and apparently bmw too) use(d). Haven't had any white worm ever.

Edit: Bah, looks like the company closed down nearly 2 years ago now.
 
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Soldato
OP
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Was going to use 'the wheel specialist' in Segensworth near where I work. Seem to get good reviews.

I think these wheels do look best diamond cut, which is why I am wanting to go back to that look.
 
Don
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18 Oct 2002
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Notts
I'm about to have my diamond cut wheels powder coated (fortunately approved BMW used car so they are paying)

Don't bother with diamond cut refurb they won't last
 
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