advice req on wheel refurb

[ROBO]

I am writing this on behalf of my father, he has recently purchased a E class and thankfully his taste in cars is a lot better than his IT skills.

His car currently has fitted pepper pot alloys which he is looking to refurb, he took them to one place who told him that all they could do was paint them and that the difficulty was that they are machine finished.

In short he lives in Newcastle Upon Tyne and has asked me if anyone can recommend a company in that area, or for that matter advise should there be any company's to avoid.

Your advice and experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Robbo

 

[Boycie]

Best option is to powdercoat/paint them as the so called diamond cut finish does not last very long at all. I have just done an E Class in silver full gloss much harder wearing and looks good as well, sorry cant rec anybody up there but just stay away from man in the van! go to a proper refurbisher.

 

[Howard]

Well , contrary to Boycies advice , i have diamond cut and lacquered lips on my AMG's and have done for over a year now with no milkyness or chipping. It all comes down to how well you look after them ( cleaning / kerbing / protecting ) ....

Again , with regards to the man in the van , one of our members is a 'man in a van ' and i would defy you to find a set of wheels with a better finish than a set that he has done. Honestly , he is a perfectionist ( which is bad for him , but good for us ) as it means that at times he only gets one set done in a day !!

Lots of members have used him for lots of very very nice cars , and have nothing but praise for him , i will definately be going to him when mine need doing .

We currently aren't allowed to name names , and as he is local to Surrey it would be pointless , but he is the best refurber i have seen.

 

[C43AMG]

+ 1

 

[Will]

+2

Will

 

[Roger Jones]

The three refurbishers I asked about the options recommended painting rather than the diamond-cut finish. One of them pointed out that its vulnerability often means a minimal warranty (or no warranty) on the refurb job. I went for a repeat of my original diamond cut in spite of this, and deterioration has set in. Given the reports above, it is obviously possible to do it successfully, but it seems to be a minority experience.

I wonder if the configuration of the wheels has anything to do with it. My W124 Coupé wheels have sharp angles, which is where the weakness is: painted surface meeets diamond-cut surface. Are the AMG wheels similar or are they all smooth curves?

P.S. The original diamond-cut finish on the Coupé wheels was already degrading when I bought it at 19k mikes.

 

[ROBO]

thanks guys, will pass on and keep looking for a suitable company.

 

[GordonTarling]

So many people miss the point with lacquered alloys that it's worth saying it here. Aluminium alloys require an etch primer in applied to the bare metal, in order to allow subsequent coats to adhere properly. I don't know of a clear etch primer (I'm sure someone will prove me wrong!) so lacquers are normally applied directly to the bare metal. Dependant on quality of lacquer, the bond with the alloy will eventually break down and thus the 'rot' sets in. As Howard says, looking after your lacquered alloys will prolong their life but, eventually, that lacquer will start lifting. This is why so many wheel refurbishers won't give any sort of guarantee on this type of work.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

+3

Look closely at the Aston logo....

 

[Boycie]

Just an opinion, i know someone who runs a "man in a van outfit" and even he admits he cant do the same finishes as factory based refurbishers and for that reason he doesnt touch them. They also tend to charge the same sort of prices as the "factory refurbishers" but dont have any overheads. I think i will just stick to buying hot dogs from the back of vans, BUT JUST MY OPINION before you have a go at me!

 

[stats007]

No overheads? Please explain this to my accountant .

I agree powder-coating and diamond polishing isn't practical for a mobile unit which is why I do it elsewhere, however don't tarnish everyone with the same brush based on what your friend can or can't achieve .

 

[Howard]

I think i will just stick to buying hot dogs from the back of vans ....

And speakers that are a ' cancelled order '

 

[Boycie]

Like i said just an opinion, im sure your very good at what you do and im not trying to put you down in any way what so ever.