Alloy Wheel Refurb

albionrovers

My missus (ok me) has given 1 wheel a couple of real hefty dunts off the kerb.


What are the chances of a refurb coming up like new? No photos as yet but the damage is more than the average surface scrape.


Advice appreciated. Cost/good franchises etc etc. Thanks in advance.

Stoke

Depends where you go mate. Some of them basically weld new metal in and then sand it flat. Cheaper places tend to use epoxy resin.

If you decide to go very cheap, I'd consider doing it yourself. Epoxy resin is a god send to work with. Anyone can do it.

If you go expensive, make sure they're welding new metal in.

londonTiger

Stoke wrote: »

Depends where you go mate. Some of them basically weld new metal in and then sand it flat. Cheaper places tend to use epoxy resin.

If you decide to go very cheap, I'd consider doing it yourself. Epoxy resin is a god send to work with. Anyone can do it.

If you go expensive, make sure they're welding new metal in.

Most kerbing is jjust paint damage so no need for filling aat all. Alloy wheels refurb tend to be reasonable compared to body paint jobs. Body work requires blending. Alloy wheels are more forgiving and some will just do the entire wheel rather than patch repair

I used an indie on my last alloy who did the entire wheel for £80

bowlhead99

Lepsons http://www.lepsons.com/prices/ have a great reputation, a couple of friends' wheels came up good as new and I'll be using them myself next month for a refurb and colour change.

If they actually need to do any welding or straightening to fix something more serious than a scrape they just charge you a small fee on top of the refurb cost.

http://www.lepsons.com/alloy-wheel-repair/ has an example of one they had to repair rather than refurb

gilbert_and_sullivan

If its had a really good clout i'd be inclined to try and find an undamaged used one instead, the tyre has to come off for proper refurb which is just as well because it really needs examining inside to check for any pinch damage to the carcass, so you've got tyre mounting costs whichever route you take.

bigjl

Another recommendation for Lepsons.

I know a few people that have used them.

Made a mates Impreza wheels look better than new.

albionrovers

Thanks for replies.
Nah, no structural damage from mounting the pavement as such, just a rather heavy scrape plus a much lighter one. The fact I've done it twice on the same wheel makes it easier to take. The first time I was really annoyed. The second time it just confirmed I'm a complete idiot and can smile about it. I blame age. Cheers.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Glad you can laugh about it, i teased the good woman about doing the n/s wheels, sure enough i managed to scrape the drivers side front wheel right along a high kerb and yes she was there to witness it and just smiled, hopeless.

scotsbob

Doing it yourself is not difficult, I have done it using Glasgow Dave's guide.


http://www.glasgowdave.com/?p=15


If yours is deeper it's just a question of more filler.

Stoke

scotsbob wrote: »

Doing it yourself is not difficult, I have done it using Glasgow Dave's guide.


http://www.glasgowdave.com/?p=15


If yours is deeper it's just a question of more filler.

I wonder if knifing putty is as strong as epoxy though.

You can use a good 2 part epoxy resin, like Evo Stik control. Rub down with some sand paper, spray, good to go.

AdrianC

If it's that hefty a clout, has the wheel had any structural damage? If so, a cosmetic epoxy "repair" is a very, very bad route to go down.

Unless the rim is particularly unusual or exotic, replacing it will almost certainly be the cheapest solution.