Hi all, I had been toying with the idea of having my wheels refurbed for a few years now, mostly due to damage from tyre fitters. I had some scrapes on the inside of the alloys from the stick on weights being removed (thanks K&P tyre of Ewell). More recently I had two new tyres fitted at SG Smiths in Croydon and that left the outer rim of my wheel with only what I can describe as Crocodile teeth. I also then curbed a wheel and decided it was time to book it in.

 

Before's showing my bodge with some paint. I should also add I had a ChipsAway "refurb" done which I could of done myself with a rattle can!

 

You can see on the right where they took chunks out of the rim and on the lower left inside of the rim, where they tried to remove the stick on weights with a screwdriver. This is the rim that had a Chipsaway spray.

 

 

 

 

This is the curb damage just after applying some touch up paint, I wanted to hide it a bit and stop dirt getting in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, after the refurb I was greeted to this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quick pic of the new Falkens wearing Megs Endurance Gel

 

The alloys after refurbed were treated to CQuartz UK Edition sealant (can't recall the name of it!). I decided the nut covers didn't match and I found a pic on here with a vRS colour decal on the alloy. I sourced some cheap black nut covers and some decals. The only issue is the covers don't fit the locking nut so I need to investigate that but they look better and worth the effort. Very pleased with the decal. I also got some Rimblades to try out, bit sceptable so I only fitted them to the offside, will see how it goes.

 

 

With the decal, nut covers and Rimblade (still not 100% on the them but had to give them a go!)

 

No Rimblade

 

 

If I'm honest I wasn't 100% happy with the refurb as there was the odd white spec under the clearcoat and a few "dimples" in the clearcoat but it wasn't enough for me to have them redone again (they offered to repaint them). It would have meant another day off work and more traveling, should have been picked up before though.

 

Anyway, that's all for now folks!!!!

Much better!

Wow :-(

I am surprised (or unsurprised) with chips away.

Was that the finish chips away promised u?

Mind I ask where is your TWS?

How much?

I thought TWS were very good...

Very nice indeed mate - trust you are very happy with the end result and look on the car 

It was TWS East Grinstead, they even used black stick on weights! Cost £305 for all 4 in a day.

 

Chipsaway said they could not match the paint, so I had both sides on the car done so they didn't look odd. When you start to question things like a fibre or bit of dirt in the lacquer or specs of blue paint from the previous job they play it all down as its down to the environment, never going to be perfect etc.... All they do is blow over it with silver paint.

 

My only main problem now, is where to get my tyres done next time! TWS will do tyres but only if they don't have much other work on.

It was TWS East Grinstead, they even used black stick on weights! Cost £305 for all 4 in a day.

 

Chipsaway said they could not match the paint, so I had both sides on the car done so they didn't look odd. When you start to question things like a fibre or bit of dirt in the lacquer or specs of blue paint from the previous job they play it all down as its down to the environment, never going to be perfect etc.... All they do is blow over it with silver paint.

 

My only main problem now, is where to get my tyres done next time! TWS will do tyres but only if they don't have much other work on.

Not worth pursuing Chips Away for some sort of partial refund then?

That's a good TWS price - I am thinking of getting mine done at local TWS for £300.

Its what u get what u paid for.

I paid for cheap worn tyres and almost every time my alloys are scratched.

Less or no damage from a dealer - but then dealer prices :-(

U just have to shop around and u will then settle for one u happy with ...

The worst damage was at my local dealer, did'nt bother going back cos they will either deny it or get their in house bodger to make it even worse. I may e-mail a few mobile fitters and see if they will guarantee NO rim damage when changing!

Forgot to mention it was Shadow Chrome.

I have never had a scratch on an alloy from fitting tyres.. You need to find somewhere else to fit tyres, somewhere that can actually fit them by the sounds of it.

The worst damage was at my local dealer, did'nt bother going back cos they will either deny it or get their in house bodger to make it even worse. I may e-mail a few mobile fitters and see if they will guarantee NO rim damage when changing!

Yeah - I understand when its expensive and the stealers still botch it up :-(

There is no excuse for a tyre fitter to damage an alloy wheel, none at all.

 

I'd have been pursuing the tyre fitter for the cost of the refurb.

 

Glad you are happy with them, they certainly look good now.

 

Not sure I could live with the old odd grey locking nut cap in contrast to the other gloss black ones, think I'd be sticking with the originals!

Colour is really nice, dark colour suits the neptunes alot better. I had a Blackline with Black Neptunes so would probably say that.

My 2p worth...I don't like the decals personally and id go without the rimblades. They'll look terrible anyway when kerbed...also they'll probably just serve to harbour road grime ans tarnish the clearcoat anyway.

I took the blades off today!

I took the blades off today!

Because?

Its your car, if u like em - don't let anyoneelse tell u other wise!

I didn't like the way they trapped water around the edges and they looked a bit uneven.

Ok

I had mine refurbed 12 months ago by TWS in Leeds

In Black Chrome

Very nice.  I have the same on mine done in Cwmbran TWS.  They are very good here too.

what colour are the alloys on the blue octy estate seem to suit the car really well

Shadow Chrome....I was'nt sure at first, but its really grown on me now!