The Main Benefits of Alloy Wheel Refurbishment

If you have alloy wheels, you understand how important they are as part of your vehicle. As well as looking great, alloy wheels significantly enhance your car’s performance including better handling, more resilience against high-impact shocks and, as they are lighter than other types of wheels, contribute towards a lower fuel economy for your car. Chosen for their fantastic performance ability and appearance, alloy wheels are a smart choice and could last for up to 10 years if properly cared for. However, there may be an occasion whereby you’ve hit a pothole, clipped a kerb or noticed that your steering feels different. In this instance, you should call alloy wheel refurbishment experts. We at Alloy Logic have 20 years of experience within the motoring industry and know that the impact of alloy wheel damage can be dangerous and irreversible, possibly leading to blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems and increased fuel consumption if not addressed properly. So, if you’ve been wondering what the main benefits of alloy wheel refurbishment are, here’s our handy guide for everything that you need to know.

Before we look at the benefits, what causes alloy wheels to need to be refurbished?

> Kerbing

There are currently an estimated 13 million cars on the road in the UK with kerbed wheels! Therefore, hitting a kerb when driving is the number 1 reason for alloy wheel refurbishment. When this happens, your alloy wheels will become scratched, chipped, bent and could depreciate the appearance and value of your vehicle. > Potholes Potholes follow closely behind kerbing as a reason for alloy wheels needing to be refurbished. If you hit a pothole at speed, your alloy wheels could become dented and cracked, which can lead to punctures, flat tyres and much more. If a pothole has damaged your alloys, you should find a safe place to stop to investigate the damage before taking your vehicle to a garage as soon as possible. >Corrosion Although alloy wheels don’t technically rust, they can be prone to corrosion over time. If your alloy wheels are scratched, this means that the protective finish, which is designed to prevent corrosion, is removed. If scratches are left to worsen over time, this can cause irreversible corrosion. What’s more, corrosion can spread and cause further damage to other areas of your vehicle.

So, now that you know what causes damage to alloy wheels – what are the main benefits of alloy wheel refurbishment?

1. Better Driving Experience When your alloys are damaged, your driving experience will be impacted. A vibrating and shaking steering column is a key sign that your alloys have suffered damage. This occurs because your tyres are making uneven contact with the surface of the road. Shakiness in the steering column could indicate that your front rim is buckled, while vibrations in your seat could suggest that your rear rim is damaged. Refurbishing your alloy wheels means that you will enjoy a better driving experience with no shaking or vibrating.

2. Improved Road Safety When your alloy wheels are damaged, you will undoubtedly notice handling problems with your vehicle. Damaged alloys can significantly impact the tyre pressure, steering and performance of your car, which could lead to an accident or other dangerous situations to arise. Driving on damaged alloys is not advised and creates unnecessary risk. If you don’t refurbish your alloys, the results could be highly dangerous, which is why alloy wheel refurbishment is essential to your road safety.

3. Maintain Vehicle Aesthetics When you’ve clipped a kerb or hit a pothole, there will be visible damage to your vehicle’s alloy wheels. This type of high-impact shock will cause scratches, dents and more to appear on your alloy wheels. If you’re anything like us, you’ll likely take pride in the appearance of your vehicle, which is why alloy wheel refurbishment is essential to maintaining your vehicle’s aesthetics. We can reinstate your alloy wheels to near-new condition so your vehicle looks good on the road once more.

4. Economical Fuel Consumption If you’ve noticed that you’re filling up more regularly, this could be a sign that your alloy wheels are damaged. When your alloy wheels aren’t functioning as they should, your engine has to work twice as hard to keep your wheels spinning and your vehicle moving, meaning that your fuel consumption will be higher and more costly. Alloy wheel refurbishment ensures that your wheels are functioning as they should for the most economical fuel consumption.

5. Increase Vehicle Value When alloy wheels are damaged, they will depreciate the performance and appearance of your vehicle. Therefore, it’s understandable that your vehicle’s value will depreciate with alloy wheel damage. Whether you are selling your vehicle soon, in the future or have a financed vehicle, alloy wheel refurbishment can significantly increase your vehicle’s value. Reinstating your alloy wheels to a near-new condition both prolongs your wheel’s lifespan, enhances the aesthetics and boosts performance – all attractive to potential buyers.

6. Cheaper Option Alloy wheel refurbishment is significantly cheaper than replacing your wheels overall. If you leave alloy wheel damage to worsen, this is the reality you’ll face. As well as costing more, alloy wheel replacement takes longer than alloy wheel refurbishment, therefore, you’ll face a more disruptive process if alloy wheel replacement is needed. What’s more, alloy wheel refurbishment helps your wheels to last longer and prolongs the need for a replacement during vehicle maintenance.

7. Pass Your MOT 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. Alloy wheel refurbishment can make sure that your vehicle will pass its 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.

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 donewe 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.

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.

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. Find out more about Smart Repair on Diamond-Cut Wheels.

How much does alloy wheel refurbishment cost?

The average cost of alloy wheel replacement varies depending on several factors and we recommend getting in touch for a quote tailored to you. However, please see the below price guide for alloy wheel repairs and replacements.

Item	Price range – low	Price range – high	Average UK cost
Single wheel refurb (up to 20”)	£54	£106	£80
Single wheel refurb (21” +)	£60	£120	£90
Set of 4 alloy wheels (up to 20”)	£216	£384	£300
Set of 4 alloy wheels (21” +)	£250	£430	£340

(Taken from Checkatrade’s Alloy wheel refurbishment cost guide)

How long does alloy wheel replacement take? 

We can replace your alloy wheels within one-two hours, however, the precise length of time a job takes may depend on the size of the wheel and the exact process we use.

How many times can an alloy wheel be refurbished?  An alloy wheel can typically be refurbished around two to three times. We recommend speaking to us about whether your alloys can be refurbished or not.  In conclusion…  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 or aged 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 to know more about alloy wheel refurbishment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!