Alloy wheel repair kits

[trout02]

Apologies if this has been the subject of a previous topic. I have just scraped by BMW front near side alloy wheel (19" M double spoke 351M) on a large stone and the damage, while minor, is on the main part of the wheel, not the rim.
There seem to be three options for repair:
1. complete refurb which seems OTT for the amount of damage;
2. Mobile repair service such as Chipsaway or SilverRims
3. a good quality DIY repair kit.

I have used Chipsaway to repaint bonnet chips on an Audi and they were poor. They had to re-do it and even then the finish was crap.

So I'm thinking of the DIY option. Is this wise? If so, can anyone recommend a good kit and finally, how do I get a good colour match?

[Squiggs]

To be done correctly the touching in of a stone chip is a real labour of love.
So unless you were prepared to pay for hours and hours and hours of the repairers time to enable the best touch in possible (waiting for the paint to dry, wet sanding, re-applying paint, waiting for it dry, wet sanding - and so on, and so on) - then (and without being rude) you probably got what you paid for.
But a wheel repair should be a different kettle of fish.
Depending on the damage a SMART repair on a wheel should involve sanding the damage down, priming, painting and re-lacquering - a totally different process (and done with spray guns rather than a tiny touch in brush!) and the same as a Smart repair to any other bodywork damage.
Just make sure you choose someone who is personally time established within the business.

[trout02]

Thanks Squiggs. I think I will give the DIY kit a miss and find a reputable mobile repairer. And then maybe fit some AlloyGator rim protectors.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/imgs/10.gif

[paintman]

trout02 said:

Apologies if this has been the subject of a previous topic. I have just scraped by BMW front near side alloy wheel (19" M double spoke 351M) on a large stone and the damage, while minor, is on the main part of the wheel, not the rim.
There seem to be three options for repair:
1. complete refurb which seems OTT for the amount of damage;
2. Mobile repair service such as Chipsaway or SilverRims
3. a good quality DIY repair kit.

I have used Chipsaway to repaint bonnet chips on an Audi and they were poor. They had to re-do it and even then the finish was crap.

So I'm thinking of the DIY option. Is this wise? If so, can anyone recommend a good kit and finally, how do I get a good colour match?

Trying to colour in stonechips is usually a waste of time for other than taking the 'eye' off them & protecting the metal. Very popular with the trade on forecourt cars as it hides them to an extent, but on a P&J not worth the time & effort which is why I would only do chips if I was doing another job on the car & the chips were FOC with explanation as above. (Trick with silver was to use a much lighter colour as the correct one would appear dark due to the way the paint has to be applied.)
If you want invisible it's a bonnet respray.

[greghm]

I also scratched it a bit last week end and feel gutted about it.
What is your opinion guys about these protections ?

Bimmian - Accessories protective color stripes