Help - Alloy Wheel Crisis!
Discussion
Hi
My car is only a few weeks old and last night I scratched one of the alloys! Very minor scratch - you would have to be close up to the wheel to see it. Would the OPC be able to repair it? Could anyone recommend someone who could? (West London/Chiswick/Heathrow Area) - or should I not bother?
Many thanks
My car is only a few weeks old and last night I scratched one of the alloys! Very minor scratch - you would have to be close up to the wheel to see it. Would the OPC be able to repair it? Could anyone recommend someone who could? (West London/Chiswick/Heathrow Area) - or should I not bother?
Many thanks
Srewtape, I would suggest you leave it for the time being. Its not difficult to get you alloys refurb'ed at a latter date once it really needs it.
Depending on the scratch, and how deep it is it might be worth getting hold of some clear nail vanish just to seal it and to prevent water/dirt getting in between the alloy and paint.
Hope this helps.
Depending on the scratch, and how deep it is it might be worth getting hold of some clear nail vanish just to seal it and to prevent water/dirt getting in between the alloy and paint.
Hope this helps.
I agree with the previous post as there will be more comming. However if you have sleepless nights about it I suggest you take it down to the car wash at the M4/A4 Chiswick Roundabout (where the large Peugeot dealer is). On a Saturday or Sunday mornings Dean Tussaint from Chips Away is there with his van and he will sort you out. I had him repair some scratches on my car Aston Martin and he was first class.
Christian
Christian
Most OPC (and Aston, Ferrari etc.) dealers 'outsource' alloy refurbs to people such as Chips Away, Wicked Wheels etc. and then lay hefty margin on top - so always go straight to a specialist.
I kerbed an alloy on my brand new Aston within an hour of collecting it - and was furious (it was a far wider car than I was expecting!). It has one of those annoying alloys which sits proud of the tyre rim. I spent ages researching how to fix it - in the end I never got it done and the problem subsided quickly in my mind and now doesn't bother me at all. It is bound to happen again - probably the day after you get it fixed.
If however, you do want to fix it there are a couple of options:
1) The wheel is fully stripped, sand blasted and built back up again (takes a few days) and there are a couple of outfits which do this in the South East; a pro will say that you should get both done on the same side of the car to ensure a perfect colour match to the eye.
2) The affected area is 'touched up', more suitable for minor repairs but can do a perfect job; mobile services are available but are reluctant to come out for one wheel so you may have to go to them or pay extra.
3) Buy a new alloy, unnecessary and very expensive but it means that you can use the old one as a coffee table
.
Both (1) and (2) will cost around the same (£45-90 per wheel). I don't know where you are based but Wicked Wheels in Surrey is apparently very good and cost effective - and they do HWM Aston's wheels.
There is a long thread discussing this on the old Aston Martin Owners' Club forum (www.amoc.org) - if you can be bothered to dig it out!
Good luck - the problem will subside in your mind and if it doesn't it is cheap and easy to do a near perfect fix on.
Will
>> Edited by wrn on Wednesday 22 March 10:35
I kerbed an alloy on my brand new Aston within an hour of collecting it - and was furious (it was a far wider car than I was expecting!). It has one of those annoying alloys which sits proud of the tyre rim. I spent ages researching how to fix it - in the end I never got it done and the problem subsided quickly in my mind and now doesn't bother me at all. It is bound to happen again - probably the day after you get it fixed.
If however, you do want to fix it there are a couple of options:
1) The wheel is fully stripped, sand blasted and built back up again (takes a few days) and there are a couple of outfits which do this in the South East; a pro will say that you should get both done on the same side of the car to ensure a perfect colour match to the eye.
2) The affected area is 'touched up', more suitable for minor repairs but can do a perfect job; mobile services are available but are reluctant to come out for one wheel so you may have to go to them or pay extra.
3) Buy a new alloy, unnecessary and very expensive but it means that you can use the old one as a coffee table
. Both (1) and (2) will cost around the same (£45-90 per wheel). I don't know where you are based but Wicked Wheels in Surrey is apparently very good and cost effective - and they do HWM Aston's wheels.
There is a long thread discussing this on the old Aston Martin Owners' Club forum (www.amoc.org) - if you can be bothered to dig it out!
Good luck - the problem will subside in your mind and if it doesn't it is cheap and easy to do a near perfect fix on.
Will
>> Edited by wrn on Wednesday 22 March 10:35
I agree with Will that you can take it to Wicked Wheels or an OPC. I just had all four wheels done at OPC Chiswick (outsourced)and they came back as new. Yes it does cost you a few bob more going through the OPC but you need 4 spare wheels whilst the others are being done if you take it to a specialist so the convenience factor played a role for me. Chips Away are perfectly equipped to make repairs as they have the equipment in the car to take off the tyre etc if needed so unless you want all four done I would go to Chips Away.
Many thanks to you both. My car is going to be at Chiswick OPC anyway to have the airbag disarmed (car seat option) - so they will sort out the alloy.
You are right, its not a big deal, but for some reason it really wound me up! Its not costing alot so I might as well have it fixed and not worry about it any longer.
Thanks
You are right, its not a big deal, but for some reason it really wound me up! Its not costing alot so I might as well have it fixed and not worry about it any longer.
Thanks
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