Alloy wheel refurb lifetime?
Discussion
For those who keep cars a while, are you getting wheels refurbed multiple times?
Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
Hmm my previous local one gave a 3 year warranty, they have a few minor issues on the back, but very good standard overall and nothing really to talk about.
Had the 640's done where I think you are referencing in Kent and 3 are fine, but one that had been damaged when remounting the tyre and had to go back for a second time.
Not by luck then that the one with the issues is...yes the one that had to go back (the silver has come away on the inner edge inside).
Considering they are so well known and do numerous sets I find the attitude poor in some cases.
Ironically, speaking with my previous local one they use the same suppliers for powder and materials, clearly the prep is massively different!
Had the 640's done where I think you are referencing in Kent and 3 are fine, but one that had been damaged when remounting the tyre and had to go back for a second time.
Not by luck then that the one with the issues is...yes the one that had to go back (the silver has come away on the inner edge inside).
Considering they are so well known and do numerous sets I find the attitude poor in some cases.
Ironically, speaking with my previous local one they use the same suppliers for powder and materials, clearly the prep is massively different!
I've been meaning to start a topic like this for a while, as I've had two sets done at a very well known and highly thought of outfit - both sets had issues with contamination and were redone, and both sets are now showing corrosion after only just over two years - very disappointed indeed. An outfit in Swindon, if anyone's interested.
Is two years reasonable? I think not, after the hundreds I've spent on the two sets of refurbs, couriers, tyre fitting etc. Not good! One set has only done about 5k too since the refurb!
Is two years reasonable? I think not, after the hundreds I've spent on the two sets of refurbs, couriers, tyre fitting etc. Not good! One set has only done about 5k too since the refurb!
Sheepshanks said:
For those who keep cars a while, are you getting wheels refurbed multiple times?
Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
Where are you located?Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
If it's the well-known company beginning with an L and based in the south east, I have spoken to several friends who've had wheels refurbed there, only to find that the finish starts to deteriorate quite quickly, sometimes within a few months. The initial finish and quality of the work itself is always praised, as is the service, but not the longevity - especially considering the hefty premium being charged. It's enough to put me off considering them when I (eventually) decide to get my wheels refurbished.
Conscript said:
If it's the well-known company beginning with an L and based in the south east, I have spoken to several friends who've had wheels refurbed there, only to find that the finish starts to deteriorate quite quickly, sometimes within a few months. The initial finish and quality of the work itself is always praised, as is the service, but not the longevity - especially considering the hefty premium being charged. It's enough to put me off considering them when I (eventually) decide to get my wheels refurbished.
Well my experience was pretty similar - they're in the south, but not the south east. Finished looked good to start with (contamination excepted) but they have corroded rather more quickly than I'd have hoped/expected.I used an independent tyre refurb place just under two years ago to sort all four on my current daily as they had been totally neglected by the previous keeper. They were given a 1 year warranty but after almost double that time they still look fresh, bar one or two small stone chips which is just an unfortunate fact of life. However two factors in the longevity of the refurbishment was firstly the company does a proper job - tyre off, acid bath, sand blast, repair, prime, base coat, clear coat, bake etc as opposed to some firms who mask off the tyre and go from there. This meant that the fresh alloys were fully "sealed", no new paint on top of old etc. Second factor is myself taking care of them, I avoid potholes and curbs like the plague, then they regularly get washed not only on the face of the alloy but also behind the spokes and inside the barrell too. Then every so often they come off altogether and have a proper Iron-X job, Polish and wax over the entire alloy, not just the outer face.
Maybe a third point worth mentioning is when I had new tyres, I had them ordered and fitted through the alloy refurb place, that way you minimise the likelihood of Fik-Twit or the likes damaging the rim trying to shove the tyre on as quickly as possible.
Maybe a third point worth mentioning is when I had new tyres, I had them ordered and fitted through the alloy refurb place, that way you minimise the likelihood of Fik-Twit or the likes damaging the rim trying to shove the tyre on as quickly as possible.
Muddle238 said:
They were given a 1 year warranty but after almost double that time they still look fresh,
I just dug out the bill and mine were re-done 3yrs and 2 days ago. I didn't notice any problem last time I cleaned them so they seem to have gone very suddenly. The car hasn't been in a car wash or dealer in the interim.I don't use the car much - it was MOT'd today hence I was giving a pre-MOT clean yesterday - and it's done 3000 miles in the last 12 mths, and most of that would be in 300+ mile trips. So I don't clean the wheels often but they were waxed with some special stuff by the refurb company and I've used it now and again.
Sheepshanks said:
For those who keep cars a while, are you getting wheels refurbed multiple times?
Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
Do you know if it was a full tyre off refurb?Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
Also, did you go for the Diamond cut finish again?
Sheepshanks said:
For those who keep cars a while, are you getting wheels refurbed multiple times?
Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
Any pics?Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I got them done at a branch of a well known chain that many people rave about. They were pretty expensive and I was never that impressed - indeed they had to do them twice as there was some issue with the oven first time and powder coat didn't melt properly.
How do you clean your wheels?
I had a proper job done on my Clio cup a few years ago. One thing I remember him saying however was to treat the finish of the refurbed wheels as I would treat the paintwork, so body shampoo etc as opposed to alloy wheel cleaner. They were still very good 18 months later when I sold the car.
I think a lot of people take their cars to the manned car washes these days and I think some of those places use very strong acid on wheels. I've seen them just spray chemical on a wheel and then hose off a few minutes later and the wheel come up clean. I'm sure that's great for timekeeping but I'd expect to have to at least get down and sponge a wheel off. So I think the chemicals can be harsh on the wheels. I'm no expert though.
I think a lot of people take their cars to the manned car washes these days and I think some of those places use very strong acid on wheels. I've seen them just spray chemical on a wheel and then hose off a few minutes later and the wheel come up clean. I'm sure that's great for timekeeping but I'd expect to have to at least get down and sponge a wheel off. So I think the chemicals can be harsh on the wheels. I'm no expert though.
How long do people expect these places to take to do the job? I only ask because the place I've taken a set of wheels to recently say it's a three day process once they get started. They seem to have a lot of work on because I've been told to expect them at the beginning of November.
I've heard good things about this lot so I'm hoping for a proper job.
I've heard good things about this lot so I'm hoping for a proper job.
Sheepshanks said:
For those who keep cars a while, are you getting wheels refurbed multiple times?
Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
I've had three Mercs and in each case they have needed the rims doing after two years. I guess they could go longer without a refurb but these ones are diamond cut and start to look awful and let the rest of the car down a bit IMO. Just been quoted £100 per alloy at a local place.Have a Merc that I don't use much and got the wheels - they're very plain wheels, 5 broad spokes - refurbed 3yrs ago. Bit dismayed to clean them and find patches of corrosion on the sides (starting at back edges and spreading forwards) on the spokes on a couple of wheels. And corrosion around the valve holes (the tyres are still those the refurb company fitted).
daemon said:
Any pics?
How do you clean your wheels?
I wouldn't claim to be obsessive about them - I clean when needed with car shampoo and small sponge and wax them with the wax I got from the refurb company.How do you clean your wheels?
The picture looks like bits have flaked off but in real-life it looks more like normal corrosion. The patchiness is just the light.
Depends on how you drive, your brake pads etc.
I had a set of wheels refurbed by a company and they were fine for a couple of years.
I had another set of wheels refurbed by the same company fitted on my track project which has horrendously aggressive brake pads which dust like an MF. The wheels are buggered and need a refurb.
If you clean them once a fortnight with a nice PH Neutral wheel cleaner and are lucky with stonechips there's no reason a decent refurb shouldn't last a couple of years.
But it's one of those things all it takes is an unfortunate stone chip....
I had a set of wheels refurbed by a company and they were fine for a couple of years.
I had another set of wheels refurbed by the same company fitted on my track project which has horrendously aggressive brake pads which dust like an MF. The wheels are buggered and need a refurb.
If you clean them once a fortnight with a nice PH Neutral wheel cleaner and are lucky with stonechips there's no reason a decent refurb shouldn't last a couple of years.
But it's one of those things all it takes is an unfortunate stone chip....
xjay1337 said:
If you clean them once a fortnight with a nice PH Neutral wheel cleaner and are lucky with stonechips there's no reason a decent refurb shouldn't last a couple of years.
Well, if a couple of years is regarded as acceptable then at 3yrs I've done quite well.The original finish lasted 10 years (I've owned the car from a few months old) and I only got them done as they were going around the valve holes. Even then only on two wheels but I was persuaded to get all four done.
When I got them done the refurber did say that once stripped the wheels were in worse condition than they appeared and I'd left them too long - I must admit I took that to be b
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