Garage Chipped Alloy Whilst Changing Tyre
Discussion
I had two tyres changed over on my black powdercoated alloys (less than 6 months old) by a local tyre shop today, for which they issued a receipt. They were obviously covered in the white tyre paste as I left. Once I got home and washed the wheels, it became evident that one of them has two pretty large chips down to the metal alloy itself.
What are my chances of having this chip rectified (i.e. again refurbished by Lepsons) at the garage's cost?
I need to go back there after Christmas as the tracking they undertook is still off.
What are my chances of having this chip rectified (i.e. again refurbished by Lepsons) at the garage's cost?
I need to go back there after Christmas as the tracking they undertook is still off.
I had the same problem when I was a youngen, idiot with crowbar for tyre lever took a 2" gouge out of the rim, I told him what he had done, to which he got very angry and then did a flying kick at the quarter panel when I was leaving!
One settlement from quickfit and the Kung fu tyre fitter was fired making me a happy boy again!
On your side of things, talk to them, it must happen from time to time so hopefully they will work with you.
One settlement from quickfit and the Kung fu tyre fitter was fired making me a happy boy again!
On your side of things, talk to them, it must happen from time to time so hopefully they will work with you.
Playing Decils advocate how can you prove it wasn't in that condition before the car went in? That will logically be their first stance - only way around it I could see is to do the same as a rental company do to a car with you signing the condition then repeat on return otherwise how can you prove it one way or another.
Good luck though
Good luck though
EViS said:
I have already taken photos of both wheels (one being fine, the other damaged) as well as a photo of the mileage (they listed the mileage on their invoice). Worth sending an email to them or their head office? Or best to firstly talk it over in branch?
Talk to the locals first...if you can get them onside that's bestlord trumpton said:
Being involved within the motor trade and handled more than my fair share of refurbished wheels I would say that the refurb was not done correctly for paint to chip off like you describe. It should be stuck like glue to the rim and the rim to gouge before paint flaking occurs.
There is also this. Who to pursue though... Not really the hassle I want 
.SteveSteveson said:
Contact both and see who bites. If both dispute then decide (probably the referb guys IMO).
The guys who changed the wheel may not be at fault (I have no idea) but they should probably have checked their work and told you.
Sounds like a good plan. However, Lepsons undertook the refurb work, so I'd be pretty confident they did a quality job.The guys who changed the wheel may not be at fault (I have no idea) but they should probably have checked their work and told you.
lord trumpton said:
Being involved within the motor trade and handled more than my fair share of refurbished wheels I would say that the refurb was not done correctly for paint to chip off like you describe. It should be stuck like glue to the rim and the rim to gouge before paint flaking occurs.
I'd disagree with that.To break the the seal on the rim you have to use a fairly hefty leaver. Be it the mechanical or manual crow bar type. It's an easy slip to make. However, if OP wants to post a pic, I can tell him instantly if it's a chip or a scuff from kerbing that he hasn't spotted before.Wheel alignment clamps have the same potential problem.
Even so, Lepsons are a good bunch. A nice chat and should be ok.
Having said that and reading your post again, where your wheels original or have been refurbed before? If refurbed, they would have only been painted to mimic the powder coating. Or did theoy have the powdercoat applied again and that is what has chipped off?
Edited by TVR1 on Wednesday 24th December 23:45
TVR1 said:
I'd disagree with that.To break the the seal on the rim you have to use a fairly hefty leaver. Be it the mechanical or manual crow bar type. It's an easy slip to make. However, if OP wants to post a pic, I can tell him instantly if it's a chip or a scuff from kerbing that he hasn't spotted before.
Wheel alignment clamps have the same potential problem.
Even so, Lepsons are a good bunch. A nice chat and should be ok.
Having said that and reading your post again, where your wheels original or have been refurbed before? If refurbed, they would have only been painted to mimic the powder coating. Or did theoy have the powdercoat applied again and that is what has chipped off?
The wheels are original and were cleaned down to the alloy and re-powdercoated. It's the powder coat that has been chipped (i.e. a 1mm deep nick) extending beyond the wall and underneath the tyre. The alloys are all pristine and have never been kerbed. Photo attached for reference and looking forward to a further opinion.Wheel alignment clamps have the same potential problem.
Even so, Lepsons are a good bunch. A nice chat and should be ok.
Having said that and reading your post again, where your wheels original or have been refurbed before? If refurbed, they would have only been painted to mimic the powder coating. Or did theoy have the powdercoat applied again and that is what has chipped off?
Edited by TVR1 on Wednesday 24th December 23:45
BaronVonV8 said:
Is that on an S197 Mustang? No advice here, just hope you get it sorted at no further cost to yourself. What tyres did you go for out of interest?
Nope, they are American Racing alloys on a Ford F150 which I just lifted. Cooper Zeon's 275/60/20. A lovely 33" tyre with some aggressive looking tread 
.s
t happens. I'd just touch the wheel in with some gloss black paint. I've had it with wheels getting marked in the past but as the other chap said who is to blame the tyre fitter or was the quality of the job not being the best in the first place?
I reckon with a bit of care taken when painting it in you'd have a job to tell it was ever marked.
t happens. I'd just touch the wheel in with some gloss black paint. I've had it with wheels getting marked in the past but as the other chap said who is to blame the tyre fitter or was the quality of the job not being the best in the first place?I reckon with a bit of care taken when painting it in you'd have a job to tell it was ever marked.
EViS said:
TVR1 said:
I'd disagree with that.To break the the seal on the rim you have to use a fairly hefty leaver. Be it the mechanical or manual crow bar type. It's an easy slip to make. However, if OP wants to post a pic, I can tell him instantly if it's a chip or a scuff from kerbing that he hasn't spotted before.
Wheel alignment clamps have the same potential problem.
Even so, Lepsons are a good bunch. A nice chat and should be ok.
Having said that and reading your post again, where your wheels original or have been refurbed before? If refurbed, they would have only been painted to mimic the powder coating. Or did theoy have the powdercoat applied again and that is what has chipped off?
The wheels are original and were cleaned down to the alloy and re-powdercoated. It's the powder coat that has been chipped (i.e. a 1mm deep nick) extending beyond the wall and underneath the tyre. The alloys are all pristine and have never been kerbed. Photo attached for reference and looking forward to a further opinion.Wheel alignment clamps have the same potential problem.
Even so, Lepsons are a good bunch. A nice chat and should be ok.
Having said that and reading your post again, where your wheels original or have been refurbed before? If refurbed, they would have only been painted to mimic the powder coating. Or did theoy have the powdercoat applied again and that is what has chipped off?
Edited by TVR1 on Wednesday 24th December 23:45
TVR1 said:
lord trumpton said:
Being involved within the motor trade and handled more than my fair share of refurbished wheels I would say that the refurb was not done correctly for paint to chip off like you describe. It should be stuck like glue to the rim and the rim to gouge before paint flaking occurs.
I'd disagree with that.To break the the seal on the rim you have to use a fairly hefty leaver. Be it the mechanical or manual crow bar type. It's an easy slip to make. However, if OP wants to post a pic, I can tell him instantly if it's a chip or a scuff from kerbing that he hasn't spotted before.Wheel alignment clamps have the same potential problem.
Even so, Lepsons are a good bunch. A nice chat and should be ok.
Having said that and reading your post again, where your wheels original or have been refurbed before? If refurbed, they would have only been painted to mimic the powder coating. Or did theoy have the powdercoat applied again and that is what has chipped off?
Edited by TVR1 on Wednesday 24th December 23:45
If it had been damaged by the pry bar then in a correctly adhered paint it would not just pop off nice and clean like that. There would be some damage to the alloy rim too.
Sometimes when the rim that is being refurbished is mint and has no damage, it has been known for the rim to miss a few stages and they can run it through the ovens in its OE states to heat it up and then coat it and bake again. The powdercoat does not bond properly.
Its known as a 'flash over' in the trade and can often be done by a lazy operative of a very busy company to save time.
What size tyres are they? They don't look low profile, so I fail to see how they could have cocked it up and left lever marks. What sort of tyre place was it? Also, if you can see the soap when complete, then it says a lot about the garage.
To me it looks like it's been nicked with the bead breaker.
To me it looks like it's been nicked with the bead breaker.
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