Diamond cut refurb or not?

[AEKostas]

Another option (I think posted by @Spider10 ) is to get them painted in the appearance of diamond cut. I can't find a link to the thread now, but I personally thought that looked like a good compromise, not noticeably to the passing eye, unless you really got down on hands and knees to inspect.

This looks very interesting; how widely available might such a service be?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I just can’t get my head around paying out for something that I know will not last.

Think of it as maintenance rather than a purchase! If there’s no damage to the wheel then a recut and polish takes a tiny amount of material from the wheel and so can be refurbished several times. Fingers crossed they didn’t remove much last time.

Just a thought, if you can’t cut them again, and want to keep some black on the wheel to tie in with the black details on the car, then some re-finishers will mask the wheel and paint the face high gloss silver (instead of diamond cutting).

 

[Spider10]

Not me sorry mine are shadow black and the originals are diamond cut

 

[Scooby_Doo]

Took photos with my iphone but files too big, I've reduced the ones below but all 4 wheels are in the same condition. I can forward all photos if you're interested.
All hole chamfers intact and original polished/himalaya grey finish so never been refurbished.

I sold my 19" Turbines a few weeks ago. They were off my 2018 C class , they were off the car most winters , hadn't been kerbed , but had only ever been cleaned with car shampoo and water, they were in absolutely mint condition . My replacement car was ex demo and the centre caps were already showing signs of corrosion on the edges , probably becase the crap used to clean the wheels wasn't washed off properly.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

I sold my 19" Turbines a few weeks ago. They were off my 2018 C class , they were off the car most winters , hadn't been kerbed , but had only ever been cleaned with car shampoo and water, they were in absolutely mint condition . My replacement car was ex demo and the centre caps were already showing signs of corrosion on the edges , probably becase the crap used to clean the wheels wasn't washed off properly.

Same here really. Not one kerb mark on any wheel and I’ve never once used anything other than a very diluted shampoo wash on the wheels.

 

[GrahamT]

Lol.....and today is first day of four days off.....and I'm drinking lager at 6.30 watching my son cricket training on a village cricket green by the sea!....and it's warm and sunny...How much more British can you get?......time for another.....that will fix the grumpyness!
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You could drink a decent real ale instead of that fizzy boy's near beer

 

[HappytalkAgain]

You could drink a decent real ale instead of that fizzy boy's near beer

I’m guessing he drinks a Lager-Top.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I do drink bitter...and other ales...but I prefer lager and only really drink anything else in the winter.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Why is there a Goldfish in your Lager ? I must try that one day

 

[23 Romeo Tango]

I'd be sticking as close to original as possible without actually diamond cutting again.
My vote went on brilliant silver.

Between my wife and I we've had quite a few cars with black wheels and loved them, but of late when looking at a replacement car I'm finding myself steering away from them. As mentioned a few times already black can (certainly without a diamond cut edge) blend/mould into the tyre making it a dull area of the car.

Not that it will help as it's a totally different colour car, but my wifes GLC has black gloss turbines. I wish they weren't black, but she wouldn't have them any other way.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

I'd be sticking as close to original as possible without actually diamond cutting again.
My vote went on brilliant silver.

Between my wife and I we've had quite a few cars with black wheels and loved them, but of late when looking at a replacement car I'm finding myself steering away from them. As mentioned a few times already black can (certainly without a diamond cut edge) blend/mould into the tyre making it a dull area of the car.

Not that it will help as it's a totally different colour car, but my wifes GLC has black gloss turbines. I wish they weren't black, but she wouldn't have them any other way.

Cheers for that. Really appreciate your efforts.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

Confession Time:

Just dropped the car at Dumfries. I’ve opted for the diamond cut face and black inners. Back to original. If it gives me 24 months of happy washing I’ll be delighted. Maybe longer, who knows?

The wheels and Night Pack combo was what we loved about the car when we got it and although I know silver would almost certainly look better for longer we can explore that option further down the line.

If we get 2 more years the car will be 8 years old so will decide at that time.

Thanks for all opinions and votes. Much appreciated.

Will post photos next weekend.


We got a Ford Ka as a curtesy car. Daughter and I went to Starbucks on the way home. First time I’ve driven a manual since 2009. Quite enjoyed it too.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Confession Time:

Just dropped the car at Dumfries. I’ve opted for the diamond cut face and black inners. Back to original. If it gives me 24 months of happy washing I’ll be delighted. Maybe longer, who knows?

The wheels and Night Pack combo was what we loved about the car when we got it and although I know silver would almost certainly look better for longer we can explore that option further down the line.

If we get 2 more years the car will be 8 years old so will decide at that time.

Thanks for all opinions and votes. Much appreciated.

Will post photos next weekend.


We got a Ford Ka as a curtesy car. Daughter and I went to Starbucks on the way home. First time I’ve driven a manual since 2009. Quite enjoyed it too.

Good decision Ant. In my experience the damage is done when tyre fitters and mechanics take the wheels on and off with metal sockets, and popping the centre caps in and out being the worst.

With that in mind, take care when fitting the centre caps first time, maybe lube them up with some soapy water or similar and tease them in rather than use a bump of the fist as is standard practice by fitters.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

We got a Ford Ka as a curtesy car. Daughter and I went to Starbucks on the way home. First time I’ve driven a manual since 2009. Quite enjoyed it too.

I love driving a small low-powered hatchback. Making progress by maximising anticipation and maintaining momentum - and also wringing it’s neck - is both a valuable skill and lots of fun, all whilst keeping up with the flow of faster traffic!

 

[ToeKnee]

I did my wheels dark gunmetal as I don't like black wheels on a black car and anthracite was still too dark for my liking.

For those that asked here's a picture of the dark gunmetal, excuse the colouration on the discs, only just cleaned the wheels.

 

[BigJase88]

Confession Time:

Just dropped the car at Dumfries. I’ve opted for the diamond cut face and black inners. Back to original. If it gives me 24 months of happy washing I’ll be delighted. Maybe longer, who knows?

The wheels and Night Pack combo was what we loved about the car when we got it and although I know silver would almost certainly look better for longer we can explore that option further down the line.

If we get 2 more years the car will be 8 years old so will decide at that time.

Thanks for all opinions and votes. Much appreciated.

Will post photos next weekend.


We got a Ford Ka as a curtesy car. Daughter and I went to Starbucks on the way home. First time I’ve driven a manual since 2009. Quite enjoyed it too.

Is it the white ford ka cause i have taken that whip for a spin before

 

[HappytalkAgain]

In my experience the damage is done when tyre fitters and mechanics take the wheels on and off with metal sockets, and popping the centre caps in and out being the worst.

Absolutely Rob. I do recall you saying this last year. And @ALFAitalia also eluded to the same points with the location of the damage in the photo (around the nut and centre cap holes).

I’ve requested they leave off the existing centre caps as I’ve ordered replacements. I’ll carefully fit them at home.

 

[HappytalkAgain]

Is it the white ford ka cause i have taken that whip for a spin before

Tis indeed. You used Andy before then? Only just noticed you’re South West Scotland too.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Absolutely Rob. I do recall you saying this last year. And @ALFAitalia also eluded to the same points with the location of the damage in the photo (around the nut and centre cap holes).

I’ve requested they leave off the existing centre caps as I’ve ordered replacements. I’ll carefully fit them at home.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

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Tis indeed. You used Andy before then? Only just noticed you’re South West Scotland too.

Seeing it parked in your garage made me think of the A-team stripping down the unnecessary bits, welding grills, grates, and girders all over it, and then taking down some bad guys. I need help.