Is this a full alloy refurbishment?

[pld118]

:confused:

Good evening.

I own a Q7 with 20" alloys and live in the Manchester/ Lancs area.

I want to have all 4 wheels fully refurbished and have had a quote from a reputable approved body shop in Manchester who also refurbish alloy wheels (they have quoted me a seemingly reasonable £288 including VAT for all 4 wheels. This seems in line, roughly, with other 'full refurbishment' services on the market).

I am fairly sure that they will do a good job. They say that to prepare the wheel, they sandblast it back to bare metal and the finish is powdercoat to the inside and outside of the wheel. They re-balance each wheel too.

I am - it would be fair to say - quite particular.

The one query/ doubt that I have is that the body shop in question has told me that they do not remove the tyres from the wheels whilst refurbishing them. The explanation given is as follows:-

'We don’t take the tyres off for two simple reasons:
One is that more than likely the wheel will get damaged when putting the tyre back on.
The other is that underneath the tyre does not get painted or the tyre will rub the paint off causing lacquer to peel.'



This makes me a bit wary as to what might happen when I need to have new tyres put on in the future (for example, are the refurbished rims likely to 'crumble' on me).

I always thought that a full alloy refurbishment meant removal of the tyres.

On a plus point, the body shop in question guarantee's its work for 3 years from, for example, a failing finish/ peeling lacquer... with the following precautionary quote from the body shop:
'The paint warranty would be invalidated if the wheel was damaged, for example kerb damage or accident damage'

I would be grateful for anyone's informed views?

Thanks.

[maximuss]

hi there

i work at a bodyshop and regulary refurb wheels..with the tyres still on.in my opinion its the best way of doing it.although the tyres stay on the air gets taken out of them and a tyre machine is used to break the bead,this pushes the tyre down leaving the wheel rim fully exposed.

the wheel will be fine if you ever need to change a tyre and just make the bodyshop aware that your particular so they do the prep work throughly.

hope this gives you piece of mind

good luck

[aaudi4]

over the years have had several wheels refurbished (wife, kerbs you no the story) and yes leave tyre on when refurbing. i have found when the time comes to replace tyre can often chip bit of paint off when removing tyre. so they are right what they say. reckon can probably get bit cheaper thou if shop about.

[asrpaint]

You do not lacquer powdercoated wheels powdercoat is the finish so y wood the lacquer peal off if you get them back with lacquer on them you have not had them powdercoated and if they bake them at the right  and tep  that you need to set and harded the powdercoat you might fined you will need new tyers  if i was you away

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[JimC64]

Me personally?
I've had a few wheels re done professionally and also done a few myself.....
see links...
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=66233

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=103484

I've done it both ways, but when done professionally its always been done "tyre off"

If it was me, for that kind of money I'd look at another company, as for around that price I'm sure you could get the full "tyres off" service

Just my 2cents worth
btw - I'm kinda particular myself:approve:

Good luck and please post up the results :beerchug:

[asrpaint]

Me personally?
I've had a few wheels re done professionally and also done a few myself.....
see links...
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=66233

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=103484

I've done it both ways, but when done professionally its always been done "tyre off"

If it was me, for that kind of money I'd look at another company, as for around that price I'm sure you could get the full "tyres off" service

Just my 2cents worth
btw - I'm kinda particular myself:approve:

Good luck and please post up the results :beerchug:

Nice wk mate



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[JimC64]

Thanks asr, much appreciated :beerchug:

Its ok if you have the time, patience and the inclination I guess, but not for everybody, although really n truly absolutely anyone could do it if they wanted!

[pld118]

[QUOTE=JimC64;603550]Me personally?
I've had a few wheels re done professionally and also done a few myself.....
see links...
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=66233

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=103484

I've done it both ways, but when done professionally its always been done "tyre off"

If it was me, for that kind of money I'd look at another company, as for around that price I'm sure you could get the full "tyres off" service

Just my 2cents worth
btw - I'm kinda particular myself:approve:

Hi,

Wish I had the confidence/ time to have a go on my wheels. You did a very good job there.

After much research and deliberating I have dropped my car off at Wheelrite, Chorley, Lanc's this morning.

The chap running it is called Steve and certainly seems to know his stuff. From speaking with him, the process he is going to use is better than I had thought too. He showed me a wheel that he had just done and that had 'only' been powdercoated. The finish was impressive.

On powdercoating - as an example, my understanding is that a well known refurbisher in Manchester, 'only' Powdercoats... but I might be wrong (it might be about right though because that Manchester refurbisher recently asked me if they could look at a Ford wheel I wanted refurbished because the powdercoat might not match the original wheel finish. Apologies if I'm wrong).

And at this point, I will reply to a previous thread as to why you would lacquer powdercoat... I'm clearly no expert but, again, my understanding is that the powdercoat finish does not always replicate the manufacturer's finish, hence some refurbishers wet paint the surface after powdercoating and in a finish that does replicate. They then lacquer over the wet finish. I am told that all of that means that the coating on such refurbed wheels is more durable than original (maybes aye... maybes no'... time will tell).

Anyway, back to Steve at Wheelrite:
He's going to strip, blast, prime, powdercoat x 2/ bake, wet paint (to simulate the Audi finish colour) and then 2 coats of lacquer to finish. He doesn't do the centre caps but mine don't need to be done. 4 x 20 inch wheels for £280 inclusive (that's also taking the wheels/ tyres off, rebalancing them and refitting).

The impression I got on arrival was a basic/no frills set up from the external. Inside the small unit, it seems well appointed for the work that is being done.

Steve seemed very straightforward and knowledgeable in a reassuring/ quietly confident way (my impression was that he is probably of the view that if he gets it right, then he gets repeat work plus further work from recommendations).

I was that reassured, I didn't ask as much as normal. My attitude was one of let him get on with it (don't forget that he has some good testimonials on forums too).

I'm away for the rest of the week so have left the car in his capable hands and absolutely confident that he'll do a good job.

Looking forward to picking the car up on Sunday 06.02.2011 and hopefully, my optimism borne out, I can book the other family cars in too.

I'll let you know the end result.

[JimC64]

Looking forward to the post :beerchug:

Don't forget the pics:aargh4::aargh4::D

[asrpaint]

Did you get them done mate


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[pld118]

Did you get them done mate


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Hi,

They have been done and I'm due to collect the car tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed...

[Buzzoff]

How did you get on with the wheels?

[pld118]

How did you get on with the wheels?

Picked the car up yesterday. 4 wheels fully refurbished to what appears to be a very high standard. The car had been sitting outside for a day or so with the wheels/ tyres back on and it had been raining heavily so they were wet and lightly coated with grit/ dust speckles from the weather. On first viewing at the workshop I thought that the finish was flawless.

The visible finish to the wheel faces/ inner rims looks very good.

The finish colour is very slightly darker than original, almost like a higher density silver (maybe even moving towards a sort of mirror finish)... if that makes sense. I'm happy with the finish colour.

I got a brief chance to further examine the wheels on my hands and knees late yesterday afternoon but again the weather/ light was poor. At that time I did notice some minor imperfections on the wheel finish. I've not let myself get too hung up on this because I was 'looking for it' after all.

I'm also mindful that I could have asked for powdercoat finish only, but I asked for an additional wet paint/ lacquer finish after the powdercoating. As such, perhaps very minor imperfections are realistic.

Overall, the car looks like it has 4 brand new wheels on it.

There is no doubt that Wheelrite is a professional/ reputable outfit. They did the work on time and have returned a quality product. I intend to have them refurbish wheels on my other car(s) too.

[Buzzoff]

Good to hear they did a good job with the wheels.

It's a shame there are too many cowboy wheel refurb companies out there who can give a bad name to the good people in the trade.

If anyone needs a good wheel refurb company down the South/ South West I would give a company called "Lepsons" the thumbs up.

They refurb wheels for a lot of main dealers and even other refurb companies take wheels to them.

[pld118]

Good to hear they did a good job with the wheels.

It's a shame there are too many cowboy wheel refurb companies out there who can give a bad name to the good people in the trade.

If anyone needs a good wheel refurb company down the South/ South West I would give a company called "Lepsons" the thumbs up.

They refurb wheels for a lot of main dealers and even other refurb companies take wheels to them.

Cheers.

Actually, Steve who owns Wheelrite told me that Lepsons are 'brilliant'. He said that he had used them for some wheels that needed a diamond cut finish. I thought for him to demonstrate an attitude like that about a competitor underlined his professionalism.:approve:

[Buzzoff]

Fair play:beerchug:

[pld118]

[QUOTE=JimC64;603550]Me personally?
I've had a few wheels re done professionally and also done a few myself.....
see links...
http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=66233

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=103484

I've done it both ways, but when done professionally its always been done "tyre off"

If it was me, for that kind of money I'd look at another company, as for around that price I'm sure you could get the full "tyres off" service

Just my 2cents worth
btw - I'm kinda particular myself:approve:

Hi,

Wish I had the confidence/ time to have a go on my wheels. You did a very good job there.

After much research and deliberating I have dropped my car off at Wheelrite, Chorley, Lanc's this morning.

The chap running it is called Steve and certainly seems to know his stuff. From speaking with him, the process he is going to use is better than I had thought too. He showed me a wheel that he had just done and that had 'only' been powdercoated. The finish was impressive.

On powdercoating - as an example, my understanding is that a well known refurbisher in Manchester, 'only' Powdercoats... but I might be wrong (it might be about right though because that Manchester refurbisher recently asked me if they could look at a Ford wheel I wanted refurbished because the powdercoat might not match the original wheel finish. Apologies if I'm wrong).

And at this point, I will reply to a previous thread as to why you would lacquer powdercoat... I'm clearly no expert but, again, my understanding is that the powdercoat finish does not always replicate the manufacturer's finish, hence some refurbishers wet paint the surface after powdercoating and in a finish that does replicate. They then lacquer over the wet finish. I am told that all of that means that the coating on such refurbed wheels is more durable than original (maybes aye... maybes no'... time will tell).

Anyway, back to Steve at Wheelrite:
He's going to strip, blast, prime, powdercoat x 2/ bake, wet paint (to simulate the Audi finish colour) and then 2 coats of lacquer to finish. He doesn't do the centre caps but mine don't need to be done. 4 x 20 inch wheels for £280 inclusive (that's also taking the wheels/ tyres off, rebalancing them and refitting).

The impression I got on arrival was a basic/no frills set up from the external. Inside the small unit, it seems well appointed for the work that is being done.

Steve seemed very straightforward and knowledgeable in a reassuring/ quietly confident way (my impression was that he is probably of the view that if he gets it right, then he gets repeat work plus further work from recommendations).

I was that reassured, I didn't ask as much as normal. My attitude was one of let him get on with it (don't forget that he has some good testimonials on forums too).

I'm away for the rest of the week so have left the car in his capable hands and absolutely confident that he'll do a good job.

Looking forward to picking the car up on Sunday 06.02.2011 and hopefully, my optimism borne out, I can book the other family cars in too.

I'll let you know the end result.

Cleaned and dried the newly refurbished wheels last night before taking pictures of the rear offside wheel.

I've tried to attach the pictures but it keeps failing for some reason... I have managed to post them on Detailing World under the Wheels Section (same username). Thread entitled, 'Cost of alloy refurbishment'.

I would interested to know what you think of the end product if any of you can be bothered to look on the other forum.;)

[Eshrules]

Cleaned and dried the newly refurbished wheels last night before taking pictures of the rear offside wheel.

I've tried to attach the pictures but it keeps failing for some reason... I have managed to post them on Detailing World under the Wheels Section (same username). Thread entitled, 'Cost of alloy refurbishment'.

I would interested to know what you think of the end product if any of you can be bothered to look on the other forum.;)


why can you not copy the thread contents to here, instead of people having to sign up to DW to view their content?

[pld118]

why can you not copy the thread contents to here, instead of people having to sign up to DW to view their content?

Don't know... cos I'm a useless technophobe I guess. Try as I might, this Forum kept failing when I tried to attach the photos. I'll try again...:(

[Eshrules]

Don't know... cos I'm a useless technophobe I guess. Try as I might, this Forum kept failing when I tried to attach the photos. I'll try again...:(

iirc - you have to use the same process over on DW to [img] tag photos - you just need to copy and paste the post contents onto this one and job done.

The section you've posted your thread in over on DW requires people sign up, hence my suggestion.

[pld118]

[QUOTE=pld118;608289]

Cleaned and dried the newly refurbished wheels last night before taking pictures of the rear offside wheel.

I've tried to attach the pictures but it keeps failing for some reason... I have managed to post them on Detailing World under the Wheels Section (same username). Thread entitled, 'Cost of alloy refurbishment'.

I would interested to know what you think of the end product if any of you can be bothered to look on the other forum.;)

Attached Imageshttp://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/attach/jpg.gifDSC00143.jpg (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16281&d=1297281830) (86.3 KB, 14 views)http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/attach/jpg.gifDSC00144.jpg (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16282&d=1297282097) (75.3 KB, 12 views)http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/attach/jpg.gifDSC00145.jpg (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16283&d=1297282346) (98.8 KB, 10 views)http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/images/attach/jpg.gifDSC00146.jpg (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16284&d=1297282438) (86.6 KB, 12 views)

[pld118]

why can you not copy the thread contents to here, instead of people having to sign up to DW to view their content?

I listened to your advice and have managed to copy the images. I've posted the images under the title:

;)Full Alloy Refurb Complete - Q7 S-line (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=114785)

[mgcgill]

Looking for a wheel refurb in Glasgow.
Jim, who did yours.
I was initially going to go with Powdertec. They quoted me £54 per wheel about 6 months ago for my 19" Rs4 style but when I check out their posts on Facebook their prices have taken a hike.

Glasgow Audi are offering a refurb on 4 wheels for under £200.
Anybody any thots on it?

[JimC64]

Hey Mgcgill
The posts I made with the links show only wheels that I refurbed myself.
Here's a few others below of some wheels I did for my X type Jag.
As stated its a pretty simple, time consuming, but really rewarding process. Buy the materials will probably cost around £70 absolute max:approve:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r38/jaycam0802/wheelmaskedreadyfornitromors.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r38/jaycam0802/wheelcleanedshowingdamage.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r38/jaycam0802/2ndcoatprimer.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r38/jaycam0802/P1010005-1.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r38/jaycam0802/P1010009.jpg

I'd reckon it'd be around £240 - £300 per set now for a good refurb. I'm really sorry I cannot in all honesty recommend anyone and you'd just have to either depend on others input and ort make your best informed decision.

Sorry I can't help more and hope to hear how you get on....

Jim