Alloy wheel repairs

[kman]

kman said:

Has anyone used the wheels specialist in st albans themselves? They seem to be the most convenient for me otherwise a trip to Pristine...

To update, I ended up going to Mint Alloys in the end as they're the most convenient for me being a stone's throw away. 2 of my wheels needed refurbing (3rd had a tiny nick) but I wanted to get all 4 repainted to a new colour too (from gloss to satin black). Weary of some of the past reviews here, Andy let me document the work so I could see for myself the process and workmanship.

I dropped the car off a couple of weeks back where they removed the wheels and did an acid strip. I didn't see it being done but Andy showed me how they remove tyres from the wheels and are careful not to damage anything - the wheels are gripped from the under side and have all rubber contacts on the machine:





Once my wheels were stripped, each one then got inspected and machined by hand (variable abrasiveness) was used to do any cleaning off and fixing marks across all surfaces inside/outside:



I'm told it's during this inspection they can identify any additional issues with the wheel such as cracks, heavy corrosion and they'd notify customer of extra work to fix such things if it needed doing so. The wheels get checked for balance, straightness/bends etc and they have tools to fix those too. Though mine were ok I was shown the device and instruments they have:







Next up the wheels went into a sand blast machine (both sides) to leave a textured finish across the wheel:





Big wheels they handle too (my 19's on the left!):



Anyway, once all were out they got machined and inspected again, brushed and masked up ready for paint:







Inside a clean room, went into a huge oven to bake them up for 20 minutes, and then they were painted:









Then back in the oven again to completely dry:



All out and looking good:





The tyres then back on using the machine with the rubber protected grips/paddle thing:





Wheels are also balanced before fitting back to car:



So I got an insight into the process and also Andy showed me the diamond cut machine they have which maps out and learns the design pattern of the wheel and then can work through the wheel at fractions of a mm at a time and the hand work to get a diamond cut finish.

I'm pleased with how mine came back and watching them work on mine and other people's wheels I wouldn't have an issue for any future work needed (fingers crossed I don't!). Now I need recommendations for paint correction and PPF if anyone has any?

[pidsy]

Give Nav @ Birklean detailing a call. He’s mobile as well as having a place not too far away in Northolt.
Tell him Dave with the Purple M3 sent u.

https://www.birklean.co.uk/

[Spindoctor]

kman said:

Now I need recommendations for paint correction and PPF if anyone has any?

Get in touch with Graham at Azuri. Did a great job for me, highly recommended.
https://azuricarcare.co.uk/

[kman]

Spindoctor said:

Get in touch with Graham at Azuri. Did a great job for me, highly recommended.
https://azuricarcare.co.uk/

I;ve seen there name around - will check them out thanks.

[drgoatboy]

For detailing...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[NDT]

NDT said:

that's a shame - think the owner lives up the road from me, so would have been convenient to use them.

Edited by chris.mod on Saturday 3rd October 15:26

In the interests of balance, one of my friends mentioned having her wheels refurbed recently - turns out she went to Mint and was very happy with the result.

[E30M3SE]

I just had the wheels from my daily driver refured by Mint, they weren't very badly kerbed but were badly corroded around the centre caps and on the inner barrels.

This is what they look like now,



and here are a work colleagues wheels done at the same time, these where original diamond cut with kerbing and the usual 'white worm'.



Neither of us have any complaints, turned around in 48hrs too.

[Alfa Pete]

I have just had a wheel refurbished at “The wheel specialist”. A little more expensive that Autowiz on WGC who I have used previously but did a good job and excellent service.

[Hoover.]

An other for Mint Alloys at Silsoe.

They have done 5 diamond cut wheels for me over the years,,,,,, including, straightening a buckled one from a pot hole..... fantastic service and quality.

[IanSC]

I’ve just had the alloys refurbished on my Civic EP3 Type R and my wife’s Fiesta ST at Letchworth Diamond Wheels.
Absolutely delighted with the quality of their work and with the overall service. The owner was very friendly, helpful and patient while we chose the paint colour. Both cars were ready on time as agreed, would highly recommend.

[subbacultcha]

Had my Porsche wheels done by the boys at Mint Alloys last week.

More than happy with the result given the state of the wheels I gave to them.

Struggling to understand why so much bad press but I guess some folk expect brand new wheels to be made out of old turds.

Anyway for the price paid I feel like I've got value for money and should the need arise wouldn't hesitate going back.



Cheers,

Ian B

Edited by subbacultcha on Saturday 29th May 20:18