'Un-blacking' Alloy Wheels?

[anonymous-user]

In the hunt for another car, I've noticed that several 'prospects' have come with black alloys. Now each to their own and all that, but I really, really don't like them

Would it be economical to try and convert them to a good ol' silvery finish - or would sourcing a second-hand set (and flogging the originals) be a better bet?

[craigjm]

A colour change is about £300

[anonymous-user]

Thanks, Craig - that's not as much as I'd thought.

Would it depend on whether the original black finish was factory-applied, or a 'modification'?

[Tomsk999]

It shouldn’t matter as the wheel refurbisher would usually strip off all the old paint anyway if it’s a good job.

[craigjm]

280E said:

Thanks, Craig - that's not as much as I'd thought.

Would it depend on whether the original black finish was factory-applied, or a 'modification'?

No because they will be taken back to metal

[steveo3002]

yeah you need to be asking if the wheels are stripped bare , if not its a budget job that you ought to avoid

wont matter a jot what colour theyre redone

[Trackdayer]

For the sake of £25 per wheel for a professional refurb, powdercoat and lacquer it's not worth worrying about.

[craigjm]

Trackdayer said:

For the sake of £25 per wheel for a professional refurb, powdercoat and lacquer it's not worth worrying about.

£25 a wheel for refurb and colour change? Where are the busy fools that are offering that deal?

[Sensibleboy]

Are these wheels that have become black post being manufactured?
Did those wheels start life being diamond cut? If so they are more expensive to refurb back to standard spec and you might only be able to refurb them 2 or 3 times max and each diamond cut refurb removes material from the face of the wheel.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the replies, chaps

None of the wheels I've seen are 'diamond cut' - far too old for that! Some look like original wheel styles which have been re-painted (but may have been a factory option?) Others are 'aftermarket' alloys which may well have been black originally...

[832ark]

craigjm said:

£25 a wheel for refurb and colour change? Where are the busy fools that are offering that deal?

My local do it for £20/wheel if loose without tyre. They’re making a fking fortune!

[AC43]

280E said:

Thanks for the replies, chaps

None of the wheels I've seen are 'diamond cut' - far too old for that! Some look like original wheel styles which have been re-painted (but may have been a factory option?) Others are 'aftermarket' alloys which may well have been black originally...

As others have said, take them somewhere that acid dips them back to bare metal then paints them. IIRC the last time I had it done it was £85/corner but that was in West Hampstead and did involve some diamond cutting.

If it's done properly they'll look brank new and, to my eyes, much better than black.

[georgeyboy12345]

Agree with the OPs sentiment, I can't stand black wheels! Chavtastic

[Trackdayer]

craigjm said:

£25 a wheel for refurb and colour change? Where are the busy fools that are offering that deal?

That's the average cost for a refurb. Some are cheaper.

I use City Wheel refurbishment.

[vikingaero]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Agree with the OPs sentiment, I can't stand black wheels! Chavtastic

+1. Never liked black wheels. [cue post from indignant PH#er posting a pic of his car with "luvverly" black wheels.]

[craigjm]

Trackdayer said:

craigjm said:

£25 a wheel for refurb and colour change? Where are the busy fools that are offering that deal?

That's the average cost for a refurb. Some are cheaper.

I use City Wheel refurbishment.

This is the place that I have used for fantastic results

https://platinumalloys.com/

[Trackdayer]

craigjm said:

This is the place that I have used for fantastic results

https://platinumalloys.com/

Wow that's expensive.

I see lots of other wheel refurbers vans pulling up at City. Some charging people 3-4 times the amount for exactly the same job!

[bitchstewie]

I've had wheels done from silver to black (sorry ).

Picking a good refurbisher applies regardless of the finish.

But as others have said if they're doing them properly they'll strip them right down to bare metal anyway.

[MDMA .]

Trackdayer said:

craigjm said:

£25 a wheel for refurb and colour change? Where are the busy fools that are offering that deal?

That's the average cost for a refurb. Some are cheaper.

I use City Wheel refurbishment.

So for £25 per wheel they remove old tyre, valve, weights, fully strip the wheel in an acid tank/bath, blast/etch the wheel prior to coating, repair any minor defects, base coat in primer and bake, cool down and then top coat/colour and bake again. After that, re-fit the tyres and balance back up, all for £25?

Ok.

Pics of your £25 refurb wheels when you have a minute. With the tyres off.

[zsdom]

City powder coaters have been going for donkeys years, although they’ve put their price up, they ised to charge £20!

https://www.citywheelrefurbishment.co.uk/