[Sussex] Alloy wheel repair

[HHGull]

I’ve bought a new car and could do with a repair/refurb of the alloys.

There are various mobile companies that will come to your home and claim to be able to repair to a good standard. Has anyone got any experience of using one of these services and / or can make a recommendation?

Thanks in advance.

 

[pasty]

https://nortr3nixy.nimpr.uk/showthread.php?365865-Kerbed-Alloys&highlight=Alloy

 

[Pickledegg]

Kerbed.co.uk

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

 

[Weststander]

The people who home visit can’t properly refurb diamond cut wheels or deep chips.

Mobile Tyres of Providence Place, Brighton send the wheel to a specialist in Kent. Returned a few days later.

 

[spongy]

Anyone who offers a mobile service will never be as good as someone with a workshop.

I personally wouldn't trust anyone who says they can do it in a day either.

If they're proper then then it should be a 2 day job at least. And have a spare set of wheels you can use so you don't lose use of your car whilst they do it.

I have used wheels r us in hassocks a few years and they were good. Changed from standard alloy colour to anthracite and they did a fantastic job. Still in perfect condition 3 years later apart from the wife kerbing the nearside rear trying to park one day! Cost £50 a wheel back then. Not sure what they'd cost now though.

 

[Knocky's Nose]

Use a proper company, not some noddy in a van. This is a specialised skill needing proper machinery and tools.

The best around (and the company the 'high end' trade uses) is Lepsons. I've used them plenty of times and they are consistently good. Not the cheapest, but not ridiculous either.

http://www.lepsons.com

Second to them, a little cheaper and a little less reliable on the quality is Spit and Polish. Just had a set of Mercedes AMG wheels done by them to give them a try - and the job was 7.5/10. Price was about 65% of Lepsons price, which goes to prove you get what you pay for. I do know a lot of trade use them.

https://spitandpolish.co.uk

Both companies do a collection and delivery service.

My personal recommendation would be to contact a good local car dealer who has his wheels refurbed at either of these places and let them send yours up with theirs. They'll get trade price anyway, and just offer them a drink on top for the inconvenience?

 

[Weststander]

Use a proper company, not some noddy in a van. This is a specialised skill needing proper machinery and tools.

The best around (and the company the 'high end' trade uses) is Lepsons. I've used them plenty of times and they are consistently good. Not the cheapest, but not ridiculous either.

http://www.lepsons.com

Second to them, a little cheaper and a little less reliable on the quality is Spit and Polish. Just had a set of Mercedes AMG wheels done by them to give them a try - and the job was 7.5/10. Price was about 65% of Lepsons price, which goes to prove you get what you pay for. I do know a lot of trade use them.

https://spitandpolish.co.uk

Both companies do a collection and delivery service.

My personal recommendation would be to contact a good local car dealer who has his wheels refurbed at either of these places and let them send yours up with theirs. They'll get trade price anyway, and just offer them a drink on top for the inconvenience?

Great advice. I used one of those two, with the wheels removed and couriered from Brighton by Mobile Tyres, as mentioned above.

 

[kingcole]

I’m in the market for an alloy repair too, but also will soon need a set of 4 expesnive tyres too. Is someone likely to offer an inclusive service that may save a few quid too?

 

[spongy]

I needed a 4 new tyres when I had mine done.

I used Camskill to buy tyres and had them delivered to the refurbishers, they just fitted them when they were done as that's part of the job. You should find a better deal on tyres online from Camskill, Blackcircles or pneus-online etc. Than from a tyre shop. You'll also save on fitting.

I managed to get 4 Goodyear F1 Eagle Asymetrical 3 tyres 205/40/18 for under £400 when I bought them.

 

[pasty]

[MENTION=22912]HHGull[/MENTION]

Following our pm exchange, here's a before and after picture

 

[spongy]

[MENTION=22912]HHGull[/MENTION]

Following our pm exchange, here's a before and after picture

View attachment 100953

View attachment 100954

How long was the "after" photo taken once they were done?

Zooming in there still seems to be some corrosion left where the spokes meet the inner rim and the main surface of the inner rim is still blotchy and stained.....

What was their process? Just a clean up or a complete strip and re-paint?

 

[pasty]

How long was the "after" photo taken once they were done?

Zooming in there still seems to be some corrosion left where the spokes meet the inner rim and the main surface of the inner rim is still blotchy and stained.....

What was their process? Just a clean up or a complete strip and re-paint?

Photo is about a month after, so poor quality photo and dirt makes them look not quite as good as they did when they came back. There was no corrosion left on them. They did an acid dipping on them.

 

[spongy]

Photo is about a month after, so poor quality photo and dirt makes them look not quite as good as they did when they came back. There was no corrosion left on them. They did an acid dipping on them.

Phew! I didn't want to call that a shit job of it was the same day they were done. If that was the first day back photo id have sent tyem back or demanded a refund!

Brake dust is a bitch to clean properly. The acid in wheel cleaner destroys the wheels paint and lacquer. If you want clean wheels then you have to **** them up to keep them clean. #paradoxical

But you need some new centre caps or at least gel overlays. It's ok having refurbed wheels but complete the look!

 

[pasty]

Phew! I didn't want to call that a shit job of it was the same day they were done. If that was the first day back photo id have sent tyem back or demanded a refund!

Brake dust is a bitch to clean properly. The acid in wheel cleaner destroys the wheels paint and lacquer. If you want clean wheels then you have to **** them up to keep them clean. #paradoxical

But you need some new centre caps or at least gel overlays. It's ok having refurbed wheels but complete the look!

You're not wrong on the last point Been looking for the centre caps for a while, but they're proving quite hard to find. It's a '94 MX5 Eunos Roadster, Japanese import, and we're trying to keep as faithful as possible to the original design. We've seen lots of caps for sale with a different design, but can't find these ones.

 

[spongy]

You're not wrong on the last point Been looking for the centre caps for a while, but they're proving quite hard to find. It's a '94 MX5 Eunos Roadster, Japanese import, and we're trying to keep as faithful as possible to the original design. We've seen lots of caps for sale with a different design, but can't find these ones.

Have a look online. A lot of people make the gel overlay stickers to stick over the worn badges on your car. I've bought plenty in my time. Although manufacturers are now stopping it by taking companies to court for copyright issues.

Find a seller on eBay who can make them. Send a message to them and ask if they can reproduce to a decent quality.

I have ford ones on my car but rather than silver/blue I have black/blue. I've even managed to get the ST logo reproduced that lays into the original chrome back.

Think outside the box. If you do ever find OE ones they'll cost a frigging fortune!

 

[Official Old Man]

It's been a while but thought I'd post this for others. Groupon deal dropped into my in box today. No recommendation from me, just passing it on.
https://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/auto-wheel-repairs-1