Bodywork · Hackbridge, South London

Alloy wheel refurbishment priced per wheel, after inspection

Wheels are quoted properly once rather than guessed at over the phone. A wheel that looks like a light scuff on a driveway can have a corroded bead seat and a buckle you will never see by eye, and a wheel that looks ruined is often an hour of preparation and a new finish. We take the tyres off and assess both faces before pricing anything, from £65 per wheel depending on the finish and the damage. Diamond cut, powder coated and painted finishes are all covered, and we will tell you when a wheel is not worth saving.

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From £65 per wheel · Same day – 3 days
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm

Wheels on a stand in the prep area at KITH Cars Garage & Bodyworks, Hackbridge

From £65 per wheelWritten quote before we start

Same day – 3 daysTypical time in the workshop

3 monthsWorkmanship warranty

17 areasCollection across South London

Assessed with the tyre removed

Both faces and the bead seat are inspected before the price is set, so the quote accounts for what the tyre was hiding.

Corrosion stripped, not painted over

Lifting lacquer and flaking paint come back to bare metal first. Coating over corrosion always fails again, usually starting from the same edge.

Drop the wheels in loose

If you have another car or a set of spares, bring the wheels on their own. It keeps your car on the road and generally means a quicker turnaround.

Finish and gloss agreed first

Colour, sheen and whether the spokes are changing are all settled before the old coating comes off, so nothing is a surprise when the wheels go back on.

In the workshop

How we handle alloy wheel refurbishment at Hackbridge

Assessment happens with the tyre off, which is the only way to see the inside of the rim. Corrosion on the bead seat is the usual reason a wheel loses a few psi a week, and it is completely invisible with a tyre fitted. The barrel is checked for cracks, particularly around the spoke junctions and the valve hole, and each wheel is checked for runout rather than eyeballed, because a buckle large enough to be felt through the steering is usually far too small to see.

Preparation decides how long the finish lasts. Where the old coating has lifted it comes off back to clean metal rather than being feathered and sprayed over, because paint or powder laid across corrosion lifts again from the same edge within a year or two. Diamond cut wheels bring a further decision at this point. Machining takes material off the face every time it is done, so a wheel already cut more than once may not have enough left to take another pass, and we will say so rather than removing metal from a wheel that then has to be replaced.

You choose the finish before anything is stripped, gloss level included, because a satin black and a gloss black in the same colour look like different wheels once they are on the car. Wheels are photographed as they arrive, tyres go back on with the sensors checked, each wheel is balanced, and everything is tightened to the torque figure for your car. We will not cosmetically refinish a cracked wheel and we will not weld one for road use. If a wheel fails the inspection you hear about it before any work starts, and you have lost nothing.

Bodywork

Alloy Wheel Refurbishment: what’s involved

Most alloy wheels have one of two finishes. Painted or powder coated wheels have a solid colour coating, usually silver, grey, black or gunmetal, over the whole wheel. Diamond cut wheels have a bright, finely machined face produced on a lathe and sealed with clear lacquer, often with painted sections between the spokes. They look different and are repaired differently, so the first step is identifying which you have.

Powder coating is a full refurbishment: the wheel is stripped and repaired, then the powder is applied electrostatically and cured in an oven, giving a thick, tough finish in almost any colour. Diamond cutting machines a very thin layer from the face and re-lacquers it; because it removes metal, a wheel can only be re-cut a limited number of times. Wheels that are cracked or badly buckled are checked for safety first, and sometimes need replacing rather than refurbishing.

Signs your alloys need refurbishing

Kerb rash

Scuffs and gouges on the rim edge from parking. Once through the coating, corrosion can start underneath.

White patches under the lacquer

Milky corrosion creeping under the clear lacquer is common on diamond cut wheels and spreads over time.

Flaking or bubbling paint

Corrosion under the coating, often starting at the rim edge, around the spokes or at the wheel bolt holes.

Slow puncture with no obvious cause

Corrosion on the bead seat, where the tyre seals against the rim, can let air escape slowly.

Dull or stained finish

Brake dust baked on over time, or damage from harsh acidic wheel cleaners.

Vibration at speed

Can point to a buckled wheel or balance problem. We check the wheel runs true before refurbishing it.

Visible crack

A crack in the rim or spoke is a safety issue, not a cosmetic one, and needs assessment before anything else.

When should it be done?

Refurbish wheels once the finish has been broken, not just when they look bad. Kerb damage and chips let water and road salt reach the aluminium, and corrosion then creeps under the surrounding paint or lacquer, which is why diamond cut wheels often develop spreading white patches. Wheels losing air slowly through the bead should be done promptly. Many owners refurbish all four together so they match, or have it done before selling or returning a lease car.

Kerb rash that has broken through the paint or lacquer
White or milky corrosion spreading under diamond cut lacquer
Tyres slowly losing pressure through corroded bead seats
When fitting new tyres, as the tyres are coming off anyway
Before a sale or lease return

How we refurbish alloy wheels

Inspect and identifyWe identify the finish, assess the damage and check each wheel for cracks and buckles, then quote per wheel.
Remove tyres and weightsTyres and balance weights are removed, and tyre pressure monitoring sensors are taken out and kept safe.
Strip or prepareFor a full refurbishment the old coating is stripped; for a cosmetic repair the damaged area is sanded back.
Repair the damageKerb damage is filled and shaped, corrosion is removed and the bead seats are cleaned so the tyre seals properly.
Apply the finishPowder coat is applied and cured in an oven, or paint is applied and cured. For diamond cut wheels, the face is machined on a lathe after the colour coat, then sealed with clear lacquer.
Refit tyres and balanceTyres are refitted with new valves where needed and each wheel is balanced with new weights.
Refit and hand overWheels are refitted and tightened to the manufacturer's torque setting. We recommend a torque check after about 50 miles.

Finishes and materials

Powder coat gives the most durable finish and comes in a wide range of colours. Diamond cut wheels are machined and sealed with clear lacquer to protect the bare aluminium, and painted sections are matched to the original finish as closely as possible. New valves are fitted where needed, and wheels are balanced with new weights before they go back on the car.

Powder coat primer and colour coat
Clear lacquer for diamond cut faces
Wheel paint matched to the original for cosmetic repairs
New tyre valves where required
New balance weights

How long it takes

Same day – 3 days

A cosmetic kerb rash repair on one or two wheels can often be done in a day. A full powder coat or diamond cut refurbishment of a set usually takes 2–3 days, as the wheels need stripping, coating and curing. Tell us when you book if you need the car back by a particular day.

What’s included

Inspection for cracks and buckles before work starts
Tyre removal and refitting
Repair and refinishing of the wheel
Balancing with new weights
Refitting and torquing to the correct setting
3-month workmanship warranty

Worth knowing

What people get wrong about alloy wheel refurbishment

Having new tyres fitted first

The tyres have to come off to refurbish the wheels, so new rubber fitted the week before means paying to have it removed and refitted. Do the wheels first, or have both done in one visit.

Trusting your eye on a buckle

A distortion big enough to cause a vibration at motorway speed is usually invisible standing over the wheel. It only shows when the wheel is spun, which is why the check comes before the quote rather than after the refinish.

Sanding a diamond cut face at home

The machined pattern is cut on a lathe and cannot be reproduced by hand. Sanding through the lacquer to tidy a scuff commits the wheel to a full re-cut or a change to a painted finish.

Acid wheel cleaner on a new finish

Strong acidic cleaners attack lacquer and bare machined aluminium. A pH-neutral cleaner and a soft brush will keep a refurbished set looking right for years longer.

Instant quote

Price your alloy wheel refurbishment now

Enter your reg and we’ll look up your car, then price the job from our own labour rates and the book time for your model. Nothing is booked until you say so, and the written quote comes before any work.

Free, about 30 seconds, no sign-up
Parts, labour and VAT included
3-month workmanship warranty
Collection and delivery across South London

“It’s rare to find a garage you can truly trust. Fair price, brilliant customer service.”Thinushan K. · ★★★★★ Google

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Questions

Alloy Wheel Refurbishment: your questions answered

How long will I be without the car?

It depends on the finish and on how many wheels are being done. If you can only spare the car briefly, say so when you book: we can sometimes work an axle at a time so the car stays usable, or take the wheels on their own if you can get them to us.

Is the finish guaranteed?

Our workmanship carries a 3-month warranty, which covers the coating adhering and the quality of the finish. It does not cover a fresh kerb strike, which is a new repair rather than a failure of the old one. If a refurbished wheel lifts or blisters, bring it back.

When do I find out the actual price?

Pricing starts at £65 per wheel and the final figure depends on the finish, the extent of the damage and whether tyres need removing. You get it in writing once we have seen the wheels. Bring the locking wheel nut key with you, as a missing or rounded key adds time and the cost of a replacement set.

Is it better to refurbish or simply buy replacement wheels?

On a common wheel a sound used original can sometimes cost less than a refurbishment, and we will tell you when that is the case. On anything with a diamond cut face, a factory colour that is hard to source, or a full set that needs to match, refurbishing almost always works out better and leaves you with four wheels that look alike.

What's the difference between diamond cut and powder coat?

Diamond cut wheels have a bright machined face protected by clear lacquer, often with a painted colour between the spokes. Powder coat is a solid, tough colour coating over the whole wheel. Because diamond cutting removes a thin layer of metal each time, a wheel can only be re-cut a limited number of times.

Can you change the colour of my wheels?

Yes. Powder coat or paint can be done in almost any colour, and diamond cut faces can be combined with a new colour between the spokes. Tell your insurer, as a change of wheel colour can count as a modification.

Can you repair a cracked or buckled wheel?

A mildly buckled wheel can often be straightened by a wheel specialist. A cracked wheel is a safety concern, and we won't cosmetically refurbish one; we'll generally advise replacement.

Can I refurbish just one wheel?

Yes, the price is per wheel. Painted and powder coated finishes can be matched closely. Diamond cut finishes vary between manufacturers and age, so a single refurbished wheel can look slightly brighter than the other three, which is why some owners do all four.

Will my tyre pressure sensors be affected?

Sensors fitted inside the wheel are removed before stripping and coating, then refitted with new seals where needed and checked. Cars with indirect systems, which use the ABS sensors instead, may need the system resetting after the wheels are refitted, which we do before handover.

Alloy Wheel Refurbishment near you

We look after alloy wheel refurbishment for drivers right across South London. Pick your area for local prices, directions and collection:

Beddington~6 min away Carshalton~5 min away Cheam~12 min away Coulsdon~17 min away Croydon~15 min away Mitcham~8 min away Morden~12 min away Norbury~18 min away Purley~15 min away Rosehill~9 min away Streatham~20 min away Sutton~10 min away Thornton Heath~15 min away Tooting~18 min away Wallington~6 min away Wimbledon~20 min away Worcester Park~20 min away

Related work we do

Tyre FittingFrom £20 per tyre · 30–60 minutesTyre supply and fitting for all makes, including run-flats and cars with tyre pressure monitoring.Scratch RepairFrom £60 · 1 hour – 2 daysScratches assessed by depth and repaired to suit: machine polishing for marks in the clear coat, and refinishing for scratches through to colour, primer or bare metal.SMART RepairsFrom £300 · 2–6 hoursSMART (small to medium area repair technique) fixes localised paint damage by refinishing only the damaged area rather than the whole panel.Suspension RepairsFrom £125 · 1–4 hoursDiagnosis and repair of knocks, clunks, bouncing and poor handling, including shock absorbers, coil springs, drop links, control arms, bushes, ball joints and top mounts.Car ServicingFrom £155 · 1–4 hoursInterim, full and major servicing for all makes, carried out to the manufacturer's schedule with the correct specification oil.MOT TestingFrom £50 · 45–60 minutesClass 4 MOT testing for cars and light vans at a flat £50, under the DVSA maximum fee of £54.85, with nothing added for booking or admin.