Alloy wheel refurbishment in Lincoln

In detail

What does a full alloy wheel refurbishment involve?

A proper refurbishment is the difference between a wheel that looks tidy from a few feet away and one that is genuinely sound underneath. Everything below happens in the Saxilby Tyres workshop in Lincoln - we do not send wheels out to a third party and hope for the best. If you would rather talk it through than read about it, call 01522 468109 and we will tell you what yours need.

Is it worth refurbishing alloy wheels rather than replacing them?

Usually, yes. A single replacement alloy from a main dealer often costs several times what refinishing the same wheel costs, and aftermarket copies rarely match the rest of the set once they have weathered a winter. Refurbishment at Saxilby Tyres starts from £75 per wheel. On older or discontinued models it is frequently the only way to end up with four wheels that actually match, because the original part is no longer made. The exception is a wheel that is cracked through the mounting face or badly buckled at the barrel, and we will tell you if that is what you have.

What does the refurbishment process involve?

Four stages: strip, repair, coat and refit. Tyres come off first, then the wheels are chemically stripped and machine-blasted back to bare alloy. Only at that point can anyone see what they are really dealing with - filler and old lacquer hide a lot. Kerb damage is dressed out and rebuilt to the original profile, cracks are TIG-welded by a qualified welder, and buckled rims are straightened and checked true. Powder primer, colour and lacquer then go on in turn, with each layer oven-baked rather than left to air-dry.

What colours and finishes can I have?

Almost any colour, in gloss, satin, matt or metallic. Factory silvers and greys, gloss and satin blacks, anthracite, bronzes and shadow chrome effects are all everyday work at Saxilby Tyres, and we can match an existing finish or order in almost any RAL colour. The choice is about what you want the car to look like rather than what happens to be in stock.

Can you diamond cut my wheels?

Yes. Wheels that left the factory with a bright machined face go through the same strip, repair and powder primer as any other, then the face is skimmed back to bright alloy on a lathe and the wheel is sealed under powder lacquer. Diamond cutting starts from £100 per wheel. If a face has been cut too many times, or the damage runs deeper than a cut can remove, Saxilby Tyres will suggest a solid colour instead.

Can you paint the brake calipers at the same time?

Yes. Saxilby Tyres refinishes brake calipers as well as wheels - wet spraying is our usual method for calipers, and they can be powder coated instead where the job suits it. Mention it when you book, as calipers need the car in rather than just the wheels.

How do I look after the finish afterwards?

Wash the wheels with ordinary car shampoo rather than the acidic cleaners sold for shifting brake dust, keep a pressure washer lance back from the rim edges instead of holding it against them, and re-check the wheel nut torque after the first fifty miles or so. Powder coat is tough, but it is not indestructible. Treated sensibly, the finish will comfortably outlast the tyres on them.

How long does a refurbishment take, and what does it cost?

Most sets of four are done on a 3 day turnaround, and refurbishment starts from £75 per wheel. Light kerb damage is included in that; heavier damage - chunks out of the rim or deep gouges - may be charged as extra. Weld repairs and unusual colours can take a little longer, and we will say so when we quote rather than after the wheels are already in pieces. Solid-colour refurbishments at Saxilby Tyres carry a 1-year guarantee against peeling, bubbling and corrosion under the finish, and diamond-cut wheels are guaranteed for 6 months, as the machined face is protected by lacquer alone. Guide prices are alongside, quotes are free, and a photo of the damage is usually enough for a firm price the same day - call 01522 468109 or send it through the contact form.

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