Brabus alloy ruined by carwash - who to refurb in the South?
Discussion
Hi all
I have just brought a very tidy Brabus ForFour which as standard has Monoblock VI wheels, originally in a stunning diamond cut finish. Now all these cars are 6 years old, I suspect many have had a standard refurb and repaint. That's what I thought of mine, but a trip to the local hand car wash has just destroyed the finish. See pic
It seems that a previous owner had a less than professional finish and an application of wheel cleaner has now destroyed the wheels. Don't pay too much attention to the centre caps, I have replacements on the way.
Has anyone had wheel cleaner total a wheel like this?
My next step is to to get a decent finish on the wheels. I am discounting a diamond cut finish, on the basis that it is not durable enough to be my daily drive. Anyway, to go 100% original - four new genuine Brabus alloys cost about £850, but I'm not there yet.
I am looking for a silvered chrome or other shiny finish that's in keeping with the original wheels although not identical. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Cheers
I have just brought a very tidy Brabus ForFour which as standard has Monoblock VI wheels, originally in a stunning diamond cut finish. Now all these cars are 6 years old, I suspect many have had a standard refurb and repaint. That's what I thought of mine, but a trip to the local hand car wash has just destroyed the finish. See pic
It seems that a previous owner had a less than professional finish and an application of wheel cleaner has now destroyed the wheels. Don't pay too much attention to the centre caps, I have replacements on the way.
Has anyone had wheel cleaner total a wheel like this?
My next step is to to get a decent finish on the wheels. I am discounting a diamond cut finish, on the basis that it is not durable enough to be my daily drive. Anyway, to go 100% original - four new genuine Brabus alloys cost about £850, but I'm not there yet.
I am looking for a silvered chrome or other shiny finish that's in keeping with the original wheels although not identical. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Cheers
Those wheels look amazing! Thanks for posting the pic.
I've taken a look at powder coat route, and it does look like the best bet, but is a little pricey at almost half the cost of new diamond cut alloys.
Would I be wasting my money to go down the mobile refurb route? The process, as I see it, differs significantly in the wheel is prepared to a lesser extent and wet paint cured under UV. I'm thinking this is a far cheaper route, but would it be a false economy?
Thought I'd put in a picture of the original wheels below - just to taunt myself really!
I've taken a look at powder coat route, and it does look like the best bet, but is a little pricey at almost half the cost of new diamond cut alloys.
Would I be wasting my money to go down the mobile refurb route? The process, as I see it, differs significantly in the wheel is prepared to a lesser extent and wet paint cured under UV. I'm thinking this is a far cheaper route, but would it be a false economy?
Thought I'd put in a picture of the original wheels below - just to taunt myself really!
Im just about to get 2 sets done by a subcontractor of one of our very own SCers, ironictwist and garaged.com. His price is double I can get it done 'out the back of some bloke's transit van' but a price that is not that much more than I've had a good job done locally. As much as I like a good deal, I have a feeling 'cheap is as cheap does'. And Im supporting a mate to boot.
That shadow chrome looks good. I wonder
That shadow chrome looks good. I wonder
richard060 said:
GregK2 said:
Should get yours up in readers cars 
Totally will, as soon as I have fixed these wheels - its a pitiful sight.Good news is though, I'm booked in with The Wheel Specialist, so thanks everyone for great recommendations and advice!
zed4 said:
richard060 said:
GregK2 said:
Should get yours up in readers cars
Totally will, as soon as I have fixed these wheels - its a pitiful sight.Good news is though, I'm booked in with The Wheel Specialist, so thanks everyone for great recommendations and advice!
I've seen similar damage to wheel finish and also plastic trim going 'crusty' after liberal application of 'cleaner' by the local hand wash place, puts me off going their.
My father's new BMW has plastic trim on the wheels and even the main dealer has manager to discolour it at the first service.
What are people using to harm the plastics/paint ?
My father's new BMW has plastic trim on the wheels and even the main dealer has manager to discolour it at the first service.
What are people using to harm the plastics/paint ?
dtmpower said:
I've seen similar damage to wheel finish and also plastic trim going 'crusty' after liberal application of 'cleaner' by the local hand wash place, puts me off going their.
My father's new BMW has plastic trim on the wheels and even the main dealer has manager to discolour it at the first service.
What are people using to harm the plastics/paint ?
It is some kind of acid, so if the finish on your wheels is less than perfect - it'll destroy them.My father's new BMW has plastic trim on the wheels and even the main dealer has manager to discolour it at the first service.
What are people using to harm the plastics/paint ?
I am gathering that my wheels (only just bought the car) had a "halfords" finish so would not have survived the winter salt even. I opted for the powder coating route because the entire wheel is prepared and painted, whereas most mobile works (that are significantly cheaper) will only face the wheel.
dtmpower said:
I've seen similar damage to wheel finish and also plastic trim going 'crusty' after liberal application of 'cleaner' by the local hand wash place, puts me off going their.
My father's new BMW has plastic trim on the wheels and even the main dealer has manager to discolour it at the first service.
What are people using to harm the plastics/paint ?
I'm also thinking that a protective layer of dirt would have helped - don't use wheel cleaner unless they really need it ! My father's new BMW has plastic trim on the wheels and even the main dealer has manager to discolour it at the first service.
What are people using to harm the plastics/paint ?
Never ever let anyone near your alloys with "wheel cleaner" unless you know what it is.
Most of it is acid based. Brings the brake dust off a treat, but will eat away at them over time, get in any imperfections in the paint and soon enough you will have nasty corroded alloys. As you found it has discoloured your paint.
I use Iron-X wheel cleaner to fantastic effect
Most of it is acid based. Brings the brake dust off a treat, but will eat away at them over time, get in any imperfections in the paint and soon enough you will have nasty corroded alloys. As you found it has discoloured your paint.
I use Iron-X wheel cleaner to fantastic effect
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