Alloy refurbs - any recommended method? Workshop vs mobile?

[molarbear2]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if there is a consensus to getting some alloys refurbed. They have the lightest scuff on the circumference/perimeter from a curb. It is minor but just annoying. I have alloy insurance which I purchased with the car (BMW i8 W alloys) so I was looking to claim on this with 'total loss gap 'insurance.

The wheels are these: https://parts.asm-autos.co.uk/find-auto-parts/year...
They are two toned, I'm not sure if diamond cut or the manufacture etc. as I'm not familiar with the terms or construction.

I'm a little worried as I think it covers a mobile unit to come out to fix the wheel. Ideally I would want a near 'factory' type repair. When I spoke to the dealer way back, they said that BMW never ever repair the wheels, but always buy new ones when replacing them. I guess that makes sense as their official line..

My worry is that a repairer might do what looks ok for the short term but it starts to bubble and corrode around the repair long term. Is there a consensus to the best method to do this - should I be insisting on sending back to a factory to get refurbed rather than a mobile unit? Do the refurbishers just cutback, epoxy and repaint? Do they do the whole wheel or just an area?

If anyone has any recommendations around the Leeds / Hull area that would be much appreciated too! Cheers!

[Rough101]

That’s diamond cut, workshop only job, needs cut on a lathe. Then relacquered. Not all wheel shops have the equipment.

[steveo3002]

seek out a proper workshop , no way is a van going to have tanks to dip them and might not be using 2k products parked in the street

[V8covin]

Rough101 said:

That’s diamond cut, workshop only job, needs cut on a lathe. Then relacquered. Not all wheel shops have the equipment.

Some mobile repairers do diamond cut,or at least they say they do

[Hugo Stiglitz]

What's the genuine opinion on kerbside jobs? Just for all black alloys kerbed on edges.

[anonymous-user]

I have never had wheels refurbished before, but what is the risk that the refurbished one will be a slightly different colour to the rest?

Hugo Stiglitz said:

What's the genuine opinion on kerbside jobs? Just for all black alloys kerbed on edges.

Do they literally pop the tyre off the bead and then just rub down and repaint the front? Common sense to me suggests the only way you are going to get a decent result is to take them somewhere that will dip them back to bare metal.

Obviously this is an inconvenience unless you happen to have another set of wheels to run around on in the mean time.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

It'd be lease hand back time...

[budgie smuggler]

V8covin said:

Some mobile repairers do diamond cut,or at least they say they do

I saw a diamond cut rim being repaired by a mobile guy in a van parked outside my office. This was only a few weeks ago but I have looked at the wheel since and it looked fine. No noticeable difference to the others.

[Gio G]

In my experience diamond cut wheels need to be done properly and cannot be rushed. It needs good preparation and good curing time. I got my diamond cut wheels refurbished over 2 years ago from a franchise company, who took 2 days. The job was terrible and within the year they started to corrode.

A few months ago I used a very reputable company near to me, that have done a great job. Took 5 days and was able to swap my current wheels over for some spare wheels so I was still mobile. Do your research, get good recommendations for your area. Lots of rubbish companies out there doing sub-standard jobs. Don't use mobile services..

G

[LittleBigPlanet]

I've just had to look into this myself having lost a battle with a curb with my 21" diamond cut wheels... for the cost (about £120 inc. VAT), taking the car to a unit with all the gear seemed to make sense to me (I wouldn't trust a mobile man and van for such a cost).

Heck, given the relative price of the car and the repair, it's not something to cut corners on (pun intended--still hurts).

[molarbear2]

Thanks everyone, really appreciate it! Now need to figure out if this insurance is actually worth anything or not...I think they only provide a mobile unit but 'can' send back to factory if required (total loss gap insurance policy).

[SteBrown91]

most smart/mobile repairs of diamond cut wheels are just a smooth and paint of the diamond cut surface with a high gloss paint that sort of matches unless you get up close. I would imagine this is what the alloy wheel insurance will do.

[full_chat]

Remember that diamond cut wheels should only be refurbed 2 or 3 times in general, as they skim some of the wheel surface off and too many skims will take it below tolerances, if that sort of stuff worries you.

[molarbear2]

Someone has written on another forum:

"The W spokes aren't diamond cut but are polished finish.
Don't let anyone cut it as there is not enough depth in the design and the black centres of the spoke will disappear.
You have been misold the insurance my dealer did the same and I made them pay for the repair.
Whoever does the refurbishment don't let them fob you off with diamond cut as they are not."

I don't know the difference - can anyone expand on the repair procedure and why this isn't possible/shouldn't be done in a bit more detail please?

[ScoobyChris]

Joey Deacon said:

Do they literally pop the tyre off the bead and then just rub down and repaint the front?.

When I spoke to a couple of local recommended mobile refurbers last year, they told me that they repaired the wheel with the tyre in situ. Not sure if that's commonplace, but after the second chap I contacted said the same, I gave up with them!

Chris

Edited by ScoobyChris on Wednesday 21st June 16:16

[steveo3002]

ScoobyChris said:

Joey Deacon said:

Do they literally pop the tyre off the bead and then just rub down and repaint the front?.

When I spoke to a couple of local recommended mobile refurbers last year, they told me that they repaired the wheel with the tyre in situ. Not sure if that's commonplace, but after the second chap I contacted said the same, I gave up with them!

Chris

Edited by ScoobyChris on Wednesday 21st June 16:16

had em in at a dealers i worked at , didnt even take the wheel off the car lol...bare minimum hack job to get past the customer for a few weeks

[V8covin]

I've had mobile guys come out to me,they took the wheels off and did whatever they do out of sight in the van.
The result was shockingly bad.
I now only have complete sets done at a powder coaters where they take the tyres off,blast them,powder coat them,refit the tyres and balance them.
The quality of the finish is like chalk and cheese

[Baldchap]

V8covin said:

Some mobile repairers do diamond cut,or at least they say they do

I know of one who paints them to look freshly cut.

[juice]

Sorry to hijack but I have a GLC with the 20" diamond cut alloys that after 6 years are now starting to look a bit unsightly/corroded
I really don't fancy getting them refurbed as a diamond cut again but wondering if you could get them powder coated in a finish that replicates diamond cut (like a glossy chrome effect ?)

[K4sper]

V8covin said:

The quality of the finish is like chalk and cheese

Sounds horrible, I prefer diamond cut to be honest