How do you refurbish an alloy wheel?

Whether through age, hitting potholes and kerbs or wear and tear, alloy wheels will likely need refurbishing at some point. With 20+ years of experience, the specialist technicians here at Alloy Logic are experienced and skilled in all areas of alloy wheel refurbishment. If you’ve kerbed your car or have spotted unwanted corrosion, there are several techniques used to repair damaged alloy
wheels. While it is possible to attempt repairs yourself, we recommend coming to specialists such as us at Alloy Logic as the process requires expert techniques and attention to detail to produce the best results. So, how exactly do you refurbish an alloy wheel? Here’s everything you need to know…

Why would I need my alloy wheels refurbished in the first place?

There are an infinite number of reasons why you may need your alloy wheels refurbished. If any of these have happened to you, or you spot any of these warning signs, alloy wheel refurbishment is absolutely necessary. If you don’t refurbish your alloys, the results could be highly dangerous and could lead to blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems, increased fuel consumption and more. Here are some of the reasons why you may need your alloy wheels refurbished…

• KerbingKerbing your wheels, as well as making you grit your teeth, is one of the most common reasons for alloy wheel refurbishment. As it stands, there are an estimated 13 million cars on the road in the UK with kerbed wheels! High-impact collisions with kerbs will leave scratches and chips in your alloy wheels causing damage to your car, an unsightly appearance and depreciate your vehicle’s value if not refurbished.
• PotholesNext to kerbing, potholes are the second most common reason for alloy wheels needing to be refurbished. Hitting a pothole at speed can cause dents and cracks to your alloys which can lead to punctures, flat tyres and much more. If you have hit a pothole too fast or hard, we recommend finding a safe place to stop to investigate the damage before taking your vehicle to a garage as soon as possible.
• CorrosionWhile alloy wheels don’t technically rust, they can be prone to corrosion over time, particularly if scratches are left untreated. Scratched alloy wheels remove and damage the protective finish which is designed to prevent corrosion. If scratches and damage are left to worsen over time, they can cause irreversible corrosion. Not only this, but corrosion can spread and cause further damage to
  other areas of your vehicle.

Alloy Wheel Refurnishment on Financed Cars

When you lease a car with the aim of returning it at the end of your financial agreement, the company you brought it from will look to resell the car once you’ve returned it. The value at which they can sell it is dependent on the state of the vehicle and, aside from the value decreasing through things such as age and mileage, several aspects may stop them from receiving maximum profit, such

as damage to your alloy wheels. If you return a car where you haven’t properly maintained and repaired your alloy wheels when they have incurred damage, the car company will have to charge you to rectify them – a charge which could see you paying out for repairs.

We have seen a few companies allow very minor damage and fair wear and tear to pass without charge, and if there is no damage the company will receive maximum payment on the resale and avoid spending money themselves. Whatever stage of your financial agreement you’re at, if you’ve noticed any warning signs that your alloys are damaged or have actively clipped a kerb or similar, it’s cost-effective for both you and the car dealership to have your alloys inspected and repaired by experts ahead of your final inspection.

How do I know if my alloys need refurbishing?

Unless you’ve actively hit a kerb, or pothole or know of some other damage to your alloys, you may not realise that your alloy wheels need refurbishing. Here are some of the warning signs to look out for that indicate that your alloys should be looked at by experts.

• Your steering is vibrating and/or shaking.
• You’ve noticed handling problems when driving.
• There is visible damage to your alloy wheels.
• Your tyres are deflating, or tyre pressure has dropped.
• Increased fuel consumption.If you continue to drive on alloys that need refurbishing, you are putting yourself, your vehicle, and others at risk. As well as making your car look good, alloy wheels provide additional structural integrity and can enhance your driving experience, which is why it’s so important to make sure that they are functioning as they should to avoid dangerous situations.

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How do you refurbish alloy wheels?

Painted Alloy Repair

Our mobile workshops can come to your home at a time that is convenient to you and carry out alloy wheel refurbishment for any damage to re-finish the wheel back to its former glory.

Our process includes the best quality paints and materials for a long-lasting finish. We start by removing the alloys from the car so we can do the work inside our mobile workshop. We then break the tyre bead which pushes the tyre back away from the rim edge to gain the best access around the rim for the repair.

All damage is removed using various sanding techniques and the rest of the wheel is keyed up ready for refinishing. We stock nearly all manufacturer colours and can order any colour required. All our wheels are finished with what we consider the best quality clear coat on the market. We can change the colour of your wheels onsite and offer high gloss, satin and matt finishes as well as various special FX.

How long does it take to repair a painted alloy?

The process normally takes about 30-45 minutes per wheel but can vary depending on the damage. Once done we refit the wheel, and you are ready to go.

Acid Strip & Powder Coating

We use powder coating most commonly for wheels that have needed acid stripping. These are wheels that contain corrosion or wheels that have been repaired using DIY or improper techniques.Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a “skin”. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. It takes a few days to complete the repair, but we can come and remove your wheels at your address and convenience to take the hassle away.

Wheel Straightening & Welding

Potholes are the main cause of cracked and bent alloys and can be an MOT failure as well as causing problems to the way your car drives. We can repair most cracks and bends, however, we are currently unable to offer this as a mobile service. We will however collect and deliver the wheels making the process as hassle-free as possible. The cracks are welded, and the wheels are straightened on a purpose-built machine this is included in our acid stripping and powder coating service.

Smart Repair on Diamond Cut Wheels

At Alloy Logic, we employ two main techniques to repair your diamond-cut alloy wheels: with a lathe and smart repair.

What is a lathe repair on a diamond-cut wheel?

We were the first company in East Anglia to have a state-of-the-art lathe capable of repairing diamond-cut alloy wheels without removing the tyres. This process involves damaged wheels being put into our lathe where a very precise layer is shaved away to remove the affected area to leave a diamond cut finish, that is then finished using a specially developed lacquer to protect the wheel.

What is a smart repair on a diamond-cut wheel?

Before mobile diamond cutting, we developed a process to replicate the diamond cut finish using smart repair techniques which could be completed as a mobile service. The process itself consists of repairing only the damaged area by working out the grades and polishing the metal to give the same effect as the diamond-cut finish. We then blend chrome paint through the repaired area and finish
with lacquer to protect the wheel.

How long does powder coating take?

Every wheel that is powder coated gets the full works treatment which consists of the tyre being completely removed and the wheel being stripped back to bare metal in our acid bath.

After the wheel is stripped back we then repair any damage including cracks, bends and kerb damage using different techniques and prepare the wheel for re-coating. The primer is applied in a powder form, we then spray a liquid paint on to give any required colour. Diamond-cut wheels are then put into the lathe for diamond cutting before finishing off with a powder-coated lacquer. Once complete the tyre is refitted and balanced before getting a final once-over in quality control where any imperfections are polished out. We then fit your wheels back to your car ready to go.

Find out more about Smart Repair on Diamond-Cut Wheels here: https://alloylogic.co.uk/what-is-a-smart-repair-on-diamond-cut-wheels-2/
.

How long does alloy wheel refurbishment take?

Depending on the level of damage and number of wheels, a smart repair can take anywhere between one and two hours.

Will damaged alloys fail an MOT?

Yes, damaged alloy wheels can be a contributing reason why your car may fail its MOT. If your alloy wheel has become damaged, cracked, or dislodged it will have an impact on the performance and safety of your vehicle and will therefore be flagged on an MOT test. It’s vital to make sure that your alloys are up to standard so that you, your passengers and other drivers are safe on the road.

Alloy Logic’s Tips for Keeping You Safe On The Road

With over 20 years of experience, we at Alloy Logic are knowledgeable and skilled in all areas of alloy wheel installation, maintenance, replacement and refurbishment. Here are some of our top tips for avoiding alloy wheel damage to keep you safe on the road as well as ensuring that your alloy wheels don’t need replacing or refurbishing for a long time to come.

• • Take care to avoid hitting kerbs and potholes on the road when driving.
  • Consider installing an alloy wheel protector kit on your vehicle.
  • Keep your alloys clean to avoid a build-up of grit, dust, and any other debris.
  • Use proprietary wheel cleaners sparingly.
  • Ensure your tyres are properly inflated.

If damage occurs, make sure you inspect your alloys or have a professional assess them.Whether you’re familiar with alloy wheels or you have had them newly installed on your vehicle, you must carry out important maintenance and repairs if you’ve spotted damage or any of the warning signs. If left to worsen, damaged alloys can cause avoidable and costly further damage to your vehicle and will result in them needing to be replaced in their entirety. By properly maintaining your alloys, you are making sure that your vehicle is safe to be on the road meaning that you are protecting yourself, your vehicle and the general public against potentially dangerous situations.

If you’d like more advice about alloy wheel refurbishment, then get in touch with us today for our trusted advice and recommendations.