Wheel refub - mobile or shop?

[Simon Bags]

Afternoon, all 4 alloys are pretty chewed up, for convenience I'm looking at a mobile service but I'm wondering if for a better result I should be looking to take them to a place with premises? Is there a difference?

Thanks, Simon.

[Pica-Pica]

I had a 19” set done at The Wheel Specialist, Cheshire. Superb job of cleaning and powder coating a set of BMW diamond cut 442M wheels. I don’t see how a mobile could do it to that standard, whether machined or powder coated.

[smithyithy]

I'm sure some mobile services do a good job but for a full set of wheels I'd personally want them properly strripped and painted at a premises..

Compare it to bodywork paint / repairs.. stone chips and minor / localised scuffs can be done mobile but full panels etc you'd want done in a proper environment..

[sherman]

I had a set done at a shop. I dropped it off in the morning. Got a bus home and picked it up later that day. Got the bus back to pick it up. It was no more hassle than putting the car in for a service and MOT really.

[d_a_n1979]

Simon Bags said:

Afternoon, all 4 alloys are pretty chewed up, for convenience I'm looking at a mobile service but I'm wondering if for a better result I should be looking to take them to a place with premises? Is there a difference?

Thanks, Simon.

Get them to a proper wheel refurb place and get them done properly all at the same time

Mobile wheel refurbers are good for simple jobs, or a simple kerbing etc; but for full front & rear and inner barrel, you want them done properly IMO

Not sure where in the world you are; but there's generally a good few alloy refurb companies dotted around every major town; worth speaking to a few to get quotes and an idea re colours etc

[alanshuff]

Bit of a long shot here, but always worth checking ebay/breakers for wheels before committing to refurbishment. I wrecked one of my wheels last year and was getting quoted about £70 for a refurb, however by sheer luck found an ex-display new wheel for £45 delivered off eBay. Just something to consider on the off chance.

[Simon Bags]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I shall do some research of where and whom etc.

Simon.

[Pica-Pica]

alanshuff said:

Bit of a long shot here, but always worth checking ebay/breakers for wheels before committing to refurbishment. I wrecked one of my wheels last year and was getting quoted about £70 for a refurb, however by sheer luck found an ex-display new wheel for £45 delivered off eBay. Just something to consider on the off chance.

It depends on the car too. I wanted a 15” alloy for my wife’s Fabia, to use as a spare instead of the steel spare. £106 delivered and brand new.

[320d is all you need]

Simon Bags said:

Afternoon, all 4 alloys are pretty chewed up, for convenience I'm looking at a mobile service but I'm wondering if for a better result I should be looking to take them to a place with premises? Is there a difference?

Thanks, Simon.

If you want the best results then going to a quality powdercoaters is the best option

Mobile is never going to be as good. Mobile is for a quick touch up, usually for dealers who don't care about the durability of the finish.

It should be blasted, acid dipped , prepped , any filling done as required and then painted and baked.

Depends on finish and wheel size but approx £60 per wheel is a good price.

Some "boutique" shops like to charge more (I've seen up to £100 per wheel in a "regular" finish for 18" wheels) but you are not getting more for your money.

Infact the best refurb I had cost £150 for 4.

[smithyithy]

320d is all you need said:

If you want the best results then going to a quality powdercoaters is the best option

Mobile is never going to be as good. Mobile is for a quick touch up, usually for dealers who don't care about the durability of the finish.

It should be blasted, acid dipped , prepped , any filling done as required and then painted and baked.

Depends on finish and wheel size but approx £60 per wheel is a good price.

Some "boutique" shops like to charge more (I've seen up to £100 per wheel in a "regular" finish for 18" wheels) but you are not getting more for your money.

Infact the best refurb I had cost £150 for 4.

Does that usually include removal and refittng of tyres + balancing, or do they typically expect the wheels delivered with tyres already removed?

[sherman]

smithyithy said:

320d is all you need said:

If you want the best results then going to a quality powdercoaters is the best option

Mobile is never going to be as good. Mobile is for a quick touch up, usually for dealers who don't care about the durability of the finish.

It should be blasted, acid dipped , prepped , any filling done as required and then painted and baked.

Depends on finish and wheel size but approx £60 per wheel is a good price.

Some "boutique" shops like to charge more (I've seen up to £100 per wheel in a "regular" finish for 18" wheels) but you are not getting more for your money.

Infact the best refurb I had cost £150 for 4.

Does that usually include removal and refittng of tyres + balancing, or do they typically expect the wheels delivered with tyres already removed?

I paid £60 a wheel. I drove the car in with the wheels on and came back to pick the car up with the four refurbed wheels back on and drove off.

I assume the car body was on axle stands or a lift whilst the wheels were getting refurbed.

[Simon Bags]

320d is all you need said:

If you want the best results then going to a quality powdercoaters is the best option

Mobile is never going to be as good. Mobile is for a quick touch up, usually for dealers who don't care about the durability of the finish.

It should be blasted, acid dipped , prepped , any filling done as required and then painted and baked.

Depends on finish and wheel size but approx £60 per wheel is a good price.

Some "boutique" shops like to charge more (I've seen up to £100 per wheel in a "regular" finish for 18" wheels) but you are not getting more for your money.

Infact the best refurb I had cost £150 for 4.

Mind if I ask how long it took for that?

[donkmeister]

320d is all you need said:

If you want the best results then going to a quality powdercoaters is the best option

Mobile is never going to be as good. Mobile is for a quick touch up, usually for dealers who don't care about the durability of the finish.

It should be blasted, acid dipped , prepped , any filling done as required and then painted and baked.

Depends on finish and wheel size but approx £60 per wheel is a good price.

Some "boutique" shops like to charge more (I've seen up to £100 per wheel in a "regular" finish for 18" wheels) but you are not getting more for your money.

Infact the best refurb I had cost £150 for 4.

This.

The wheel refurber near me seems to do cars in batches, and I think that's how they keep the prices low. So, a number of cars got up on axle stands, the wheels all get prepped, they all get powder coated then they all get baked in a big oven.

The one bit I'm not sure of is that they said they mark the position of the tyre valve so they can put it back on in the right place - personally I think I'd rather they strip the weights off etc before powder coating, and then rebalance them. But, they've obviously got their process and it doesn't involve balancing.

But regardless, a mobile guy struggling with his outdoor workshop in a van is not going to be able to do as good a job in a given amount of time per wheel than someone in a nice warm workshop with big chemical baths and ovens.

[320d is all you need]

Simon Bags said:

Mind if I ask how long it took for that?

2 or 3 days for the low cost one.

You can get same day turnaround but you can get paid more

It can vary so not really relevant how long it took for me

[DiscoSINGH]

If you flipping a car - get a man in a van round for a quick refurb. If you keeping your car then use a reputable refurbisbment company with on site premises who will remove the tyre and strip the alloy back and refurbish it to OEM finish.

[Pica-Pica]

DiscoSINGH said:

If you flipping a car - get a man in a van round for a quick refurb. If you keeping your car then use a reputable refurbisbment company with on site premises who will remove the tyre and strip the alloy back and refurbish it to OEM finish.

No. Do it properly or not at all.

[ScoobyChris]

I was in touch with a mobile firm recently and they told me all their repairs are done with the tyre left on. Not sure whether that's the exception...

Chris

[vikingaero]

Pica-Pica said:

DiscoSINGH said:

If you flipping a car - get a man in a van round for a quick refurb. If you keeping your car then use a reputable refurbisbment company with on site premises who will remove the tyre and strip the alloy back and refurbish it to OEM finish.

No. Do it properly or not at all.

99% of dealers must be doing it wrong then.

[Kevin-gp9gc]

Mobile mechanic, yes for many jobs, mobile wheel refurb, no except for simplest touch up in my experience.

[ess]

Lepsons /thread.

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