Hi,I've decided to have the 18" alloys on my vrs refurbished and painted matt black. I'm keeping the car a few more years so want a good long lasting job.

I had some wheels refurbished a few years ago and after 6 months they looked rubbish.

I don't want that again.I thought perhaps having one of those mobile refurbishment firms to come out.

In Auto express I think they used a firm called "smart repairs" or something,anyone used them?

I'm in the Sheffield area,Thanks in advance.

Just found a site called "chipsaway" Anyone used 'em?

I had a couple of quotes to repair an alloy from the 'smart' type of refurbishes, they are both dearer than a full wheel refurb (smart repairers generally only paint the outside of the wheel and do not fully remove the tyre to do so) and you only get half a wheel painted.

IMO if you can live without the wheels for a few days you will be better getting them powder coated - although I'm not sure if they can be done matt black (do you really want matt? as I imagine washing brake dust off a matt finish will be a right PITA)

Being the other end of UK to you (Cornwall) had company close to my home. 'The Polished Wheel Company', based at Wadebridge.

Had choice of two companies in refurbishment available, but settled for the most intense treatment.

Different prices for different sized wheels.

First company, break tyre beading away from front of wheel, use acid to remove old paintwork and then respray, replace tyre, that's it. £225.00 for 5 alloys.

Second company, removed tyre, valves and balance weights, placed in acid bath overnight, repaired kerb damage, powdered coated and baked paint in oven.

Then lacquered, rebalanced wheels and had car ready to drive away the following (day) afternoon.

Did an outstanding job, better than originals paint finish, advised me not to use ANY type of wheel cleaner, only slightly soapy warm water, (which does do the job I add.)

5 Alloy wheels paid £293.00 in total.

Needless to say there will be a company near to you, but do look at their finished product on a customers car, to give indication of finish. Google the company for any reviews.

No personal experience, but "The Wheel Specialist" comes up frequently on here. They have branches all over the UK. When I get around to doing mine they are probably the company I will use. With negotiation under £300 ought to be achievable for a tyres off full refurb and powder coat.

My Mate rates The Wheel Specialists in Leeds very highly. He dropped the car off and went into Leeds for the day while they sorted all four alloys out on his wife's Golf Plus.

Not seen the result myself, but he's as picky as i am (LoL!), so if he's pleased i'm betting they are ok.

I might try them out with SWMBO's MX-5, as the refurb the pervious owner had done is in need of re-doing!

Quote:-(do you really want matt? as I imagine washing brake dust off a matt finish will be a right PITA)

Do you think gloss will be easier to clean?I'd not really thought about it.

Quote:-(do you really want matt? as I imagine washing brake dust off a matt finish will be a right PITA)

Do you think gloss will be easier to clean?I'd not really thought about it.

Yes, because with gloss you can polish and or wax them so the brake dust has little to adhere to, with waxed gloss wheels the brake dust will just rinse off with very little effort, obviously wax on a matt surface will make it shiny(er) defeating to object a little.

Personally I am not a lover of black or dark anthracite wheel as you loose all the detail of the wheel, but each to their own

Yes, because with gloss you can polish and or wax them so the brake dust has little to adhere to, with waxed gloss wheels the brake dust will just rinse off with very little effort, obviously wax on a matt surface will make it shiny(er) defeating to object a little.

Personally I am not a lover of black or dark anthracite wheel as you loose all the detail of the wheel, but each to their own

Gloss it is then, cheers,

Paint chip techniques in Mansfield offer plastic coating for about £200. Very reasonable and should last forever. Not sure if they can do matt black though but worth a call.

I had a couple of quotes to repair an alloy from the 'smart' type of refurbishes, they are both dearer than a full wheel refurb (smart repairers generally only paint the outside of the wheel and do not fully remove the tyre to do so) and you only get half a wheel painted.

IMO if you can live without the wheels for a few days you will be better getting them powder coated - although I'm not sure if they can be done matt black (do you really want matt? as I imagine washing brake dust off a matt finish will be a right PITA)

Have you received closure on your refurb nightmare?

Have you received closure on your refurb nightmare?

Partially,

They gave me a full refund as they could not guarantee getting it better the next time round... WTF?!!

I will be looking to get it done again throughout the winter when I am in no rush to get it back (as the winter wheels and tyres will be on).

TBH the wheel is not that bad and most people would probably not notice it, but on the other hand it is not right either!

Partially,

They gave me a full refund as they could not guarantee getting it better the next time round... WTF?!!

I will be looking to get it done again throughout the winter when I am in no rush to get it back (as the winter wheels and tyres will be on).

TBH the wheel is not that bad and most people would probably not notice it, but on the other hand it is not right either!

Unfortunately in my mind anything less than factory finish or better would not be acceptable, you made the right choice to complain.

No personal experience, but "The Wheel Specialist" comes up frequently on here. They have branches all over the UK. When I get around to doing mine they are probably the company I will use. With negotiation under £300 ought to be achievable for a tyres off full refurb and powder coat.

Ive had 3 sets of wheels done at the wheel specialist in manchester!! cant recomend then enough they do an excellent job! had some gloss black wheels put on my wifes cooper s they look really good and still like new 2 years down the line. so much so im thinking of having mine done on the vrs either like you say matt black for something different or black gloss as they are really good. It would be worth you coming to manchester as its not that far for you but well worth it.

I've found a place called "the wheel clinic"in Sheffield,I've heard good things about them.I will get a quote next week.

I also realise I will need new centre and black wheel nut caps. I've found these on e-bay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260796315184&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_922

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TPI-BLACK-WHEEL-NUT-BOLT-COVERS-SKODA-OCTAVIA-II-/170493354274?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Wheels_tyres_Trim_Nuts_ET&hash=item27b2322122#ht_614wt_1158

If they do quote too high and I get new 18" alloys instead,what width are they?

Hi, contact the Wheel Doctor at S****horpe,he has his own website £50.00 per wheel for full refurb powder coated etc.

Metal magic in barnsley is excellant, i had my 17" AMG alloys done by them 4 years ago and it still look like new when i sold he car last year, it was cheap aswell £180 but you have to give them the wheels only it takes a day or two aswell

I've had a quote today,from Wheel clinic in Sheffield,£55 per wheel,great price but they want the wheels for 7 working days-EEK.

So I've decided to buy new alloys and sell my old ones on. It's an extra £37 on my insurance.

I understand the standard 18"alloys are 7.5" wide,but what is the offset?

I've had a quote today,from Wheel clinic in Sheffield,£55 per wheel,great price but they want the wheels for 7 working days-EEK.

So I've decided to buy new alloys and sell my old ones on. It's an extra £37 on my insurance.

I understand the standard 18"alloys are 7.5" wide,but what is the offset?

Offset for an 18" Zenith is ET51, ideal size to replace them is 8J ET42-45 they will sit lovely in the arches. What wheels have you gone for out of interest?

Anyone know of a good wheel refurb company in the Perth/Dundee/Edinburgh area? I could possibly push through to Glasgow/Stirling but would hope to get the wheels done in a day if travelling any distance from my home in Perthshire... Are the mobile companies any good? This too could be an option if they do a decent job.

these are the ones I'm thinking of http://www.performancealloys.com/wheel-details.aspx?ID=2112

The Wheel Specialist really are top notch - same day service with perfect results and a proper shot blast / acid strip jobby.

I couldn't get the alloys I wanted so I'm going down the refurb and sprayed gloss black route