Anothr Alloy Wheel Question

[daviesm]

Hi,

After the winter my alloys are in a bit of a state. But I know from the last time I cleaned them some of the crap/corrosion seems to be under the laquer. Does anyone know how to clean them properly, what stuff is best or do I need to get them professionally stripped and re-laquered - if that is possible. I want to get them back to pristine condition, but if it is gonna cost, then may consider aftermarket alloys.

My RAV is a 2.0 GX 5 door

All suggestions welcome

Cheers,

Mal

[jen68]

Hi,

After the winter my alloys are in a bit of a state. But I know from the last time I cleaned them some of the crap/corrosion seems to be under the laquer. Does anyone know how to clean them properly, what stuff is best or do I need to get them professionally stripped and re-laquered - if that is possible. I want to get them back to pristine condition, but if it is gonna cost, then may consider aftermarket alloys.

My RAV is a 2.0 GX 5 door

All suggestions welcome

Cheers,

Mal

[daviesm]

Well, I have answered my own question, and so far found a few places that will completely redo the wheels, strip down, shot blast/clean and then repaint and clear coat. Some will do it with the tyres on, drop off the vehicle for a day, others require you to send wheels by courier, with tyres already removed. One of these (Lap-Tab) quotes Quentin Wilson as saying they are the best he has ever used, and they do some great finishes (I like either smokey black or flash chrome look myself).

Smokey Chrome

Flash Chrome

Lap-Tab

There are also some who are mobile and will do the work on site such as Car Medic or Scartches and Scuffs.

Has anyone used any of these services?

Cheers,

Mal

[sjrainsford]

Have had good dealings with LapTab in the past. They aren't cheap but good service. They do work for the likes of Jaguar Cars etc, that's why I used them whilst I was working for Jag.

[jen68]

l think its all down to what youre prepared to pay, as a guide, around here the average cost is £35 per wheel + £35 for shot blasting, most powder coaters will do wheels, standard silver, having a coat of clear powder applied on top of the silver is well worth the expense as the finish has a deeper shine and will last longer, some wheels e.g. multi spoke cant be powdered as the powder is unable to wrap around tight areas this type of wheel design needs to be wet painted, the smokey chrome finish that you mention is usually achieved by wet painting the wheels are etched base coated silver then tinted 2 pack clear lacquered is applied before stoving. You could save a bit if you get the shot blasting done yourself,

[uumode]

l think its all down to what youre prepared to pay, as a guide, around here the average cost is £35 per wheel + £35 for shot blasting, most powder coaters will do wheels, standard silver, having a coat of clear powder applied on top of the silver is well worth the expense as the finish has a deeper shine and will last longer, some wheels e.g. multi spoke cant be powdered as the powder is unable to wrap around tight areas this type of wheel design needs to be wet painted, the smokey chrome finish that you mention is usually achieved by wet painting the wheels are etched base coated silver then tinted 2 pack clear lacquered is applied before stoving. You could save a bit if you get the shot blasting done yourself,

Any idea if the colour is the same silver? i.e. If I only had one alloy done, would it stand out slightly from the other 3? Or is it best to do at least two on one side of the car (even though the other alloy is perfectly OK - so at least the two visible are the same shade of silver.

(kerbed alloy)... but then I guess it would probably be cheaper to buy a new alloy wheel than to refurb two (of which one isn't necessary)