Alloy wheel refurbishment - recommendations?

[420SE]

Folks, I would like to get 4 split rims re-conditioned to their former glory and was wondering if any of you are able to recommend a good place in London or the South East that will do a good job and will guarantee their workmanship.

I would need the rims taken apart, touched up where there are kerb marks and 'sealed' when put back together so there are no air leaks.

I recall that Nav had a problem with a company called BJV, so I now know to stay away from that one, but is there anybody who is decent?

Can anybody recommend?

 

[glojo]

My son is pleased with Pristine refurbished wheels.

John

 

[Will]

I've used BJV before - I think if what you're after is 'cheap and cheerful' they're OK, but I personally would look for a more specialised company if you are refurbing a set of really special wheels

Will

 

[420SE]

Thanks for the initial replies.

These are a 3 piece Japanese import rim (x4) and so I need a specialist who knows what they are doing. A big weakness on split rims is an air leak if not sealed properly after being taken apart, so that's what my main concern is.

I would also like the centre spokes coated black with the lip as it is now...

Here are the wheels by the way:

 

[jimti]

I haven't used these guys, but have read good reports about their work, they might be worth a call

 

[Will]

They're pretty good, the 18" AMG monoblocks on my old C-class were refurbished by Lepsons.

Certainly a good job, looked like new wheels when I bought them

Will

 

[l5foye]

Is it Pristine that refurbishes MB wheels returned under warranty?

 

[GrahamC230K]

The knocking of BJV hurts me as I have had 8 wheels refurbed by them all excellently.

Having spokent o Nav about his experience, his issues were with diamond cutting and he rates and still usees them for their painted finish.

Likewise I have seen good work from Lepsom/ns (spelling?) on a painted wheel but seen very quick deterioration of their diamond cut finish.

From London Lepson/ms in kent might be closest.

 

[television]

Is it Pristine that refurbishes MB wheels returned under warranty?

This was the case a couple of years back, I believe they use others as well now. I have used Pristine but I believe that there are firms doing a better job now, The clear lacquer used by some others is better and last well.

 

[Will]

The knocking of BJV hurts me as I have had 8 wheels refurbed by them all excellently.

Having spokent o Nav about his experience, his issues were with diamond cutting and he rates and still usees them for their painted finish.

Likewise I have seen good work from Lepsom/ns (spelling?) on a painted wheel but seen very quick deterioration of their diamond cut finish.

From London Lepson/ms in kent might be closest.

Wasn't 'knocking' them so much in my original post Graham, I've used them a few weeks back and as I say - for the money they're OK.

I think the trouble is, and I was chatting to them about this, is that they have balooned in size very quickly, mainly because they are so cheap and hence they have a huge turnover of wheels now.

I guess what I am faulting them on is attention to detail, they do refurb 'properly', ie wheels are properly stripped before painting, but the wheels I had done weren't done all that well. It's the finish of the paint/coating I am on about, as well as the preparation.

I did comment on it and they pretty much shrugged it off, I'm not sure I would use them again

I can supply pictures later on if anyone is interested?

Will

 

[GrahamC230K]

Yeah I would like to see as having been so pleased in the past I would use them again. Besides price and location, I used them as quality was not comprimised on my wheels, but if it was, I would go elsewhere.

 

[Will]

No probs, I'll try and get a picture or two up later or over the w/end.

Basically, zero prep other than the basic stripping.
And poor application of the coating - ie runs.

Will

 

[Dieselman]

I guess what I am faulting them on is attention to detail, they do refurb 'properly', ie wheels are properly stripped before painting, but the wheels I had done weren't done all that well. It's the finish of the paint/coating I am on about, as well as the preparation.

This is what KLP had also. The paint wrinkled and lifted off the alloy due to poor prep and probably incorrect primer being used.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Mmm not good. A shame as a complete contrast of service.

I have four alloys sat in my garage at the moment ready for refurb, I'm now not 100% sure who to use. I think I might continue to use them until I get this poor service myself. I'm in no rush but I'll report back if I get round to dropping them off.

 

[jaymanek]

I think we had this discussion before about BJV.... My lorinsers were done badly... the faces were ok but they had not even removed the brake dust from the inside of the wheel before painting, the paint was all bubbly and lumpy on the inside... and on the face the lorinser logo had almost been lost as they had not removed the original paint effectively...

Pristine did my 107 SL 15 Hole alloys and they came back better than new.

 

[Roger Jones]

I've used BJV three times and have no complaints.

From talking around about the diamond-cut & lacquer finish, there seems to be a consensus that it is intrinsically vulnerable. When I first started making general enquiries a few years ago, I visited Pristine in Woburn Sands, and the guy I talked to almost warned me off that finish, pointing out that a painted finish would be far more durable. When I thought I had a problem down at Micheldever Tyres, the manager convinced me that the weaknesses in the newly refurbished wheels were not caused by careless tyre fitting but by the unavoidable weakness of the finish, and went on to say that the firm they use for subcontracted refurbishing will give no more than a three-month warranty on that finish, and that others may give no warranty at all. I'd be interested to know whether there is evidence to the contrary, specifically on refurbished wheels. I do recall that the OEM DC&L wheels on my Coupé were clearly deteriorating when I bought it at four years old and very low mileage.

 

[jaymanek]

yes polished rims are never going to last british weather, no matter how well they are done. I have to refurbish every polished rim i get in my showroom, its a pain in the bum...

some finishes may last a few months longer than others, buts its all relative...

 

[Will]

This is what KLP had also. The paint wrinkled and lifted off the alloy due to poor prep and probably incorrect primer being used.

I'll try and get some pictures later on.

Basically, where the wheels had balance weights on in the past, the old finish was flaking and obviously the alloy under the paint would have shown some corrosion when stripped.

Where they have stripped the wheels, it looks as though they have casually used a grinder to remove this - not particulalrly neatly. No attempt to rectify this before painting - either by smoothing down or filling.

Aside from this, on at least one of the wheels, they have applied the coating too thickly and around the area of the bolt holes the paint had started to run - fortunately not dripping, but definately noticeable.

The colour match isn't 100% - they used the centre cap for reference, I asked if they would need painting for a good match and they assured me not - I would have had them painted to match otherwise.

No phone call to let me know when they were ready, when I phoned them to ask they were apparantly 'all ready', but I had to wait for about 1/2 hour for them to refit the tyres? Not a major problem, but annoying when you are pushed for time (was collecting during lunch time on a work day)

On the car they look OK, I'm probably 80% happy with the finish. If it was a case of not refurbishing because of cost, or using BJV because they are cheap I'd say they were OK - nothing more.

With time, I could (and have) done a better job myself.

If I was taking some expensive wheels to be done, eg split rims or AMGs etc then I would much prefer to pay a little more for a superior job.

Will

 

[ollya]

How about Spit'n'Polish in Kent - seem fairly priced - do free pick up from garages - 3 day turnaround.
I'm fairly certain I'll use them for my 18" AMG III first style.
Any comments ?

 

[Wezzel]

I can definitely recomment Pristine.