My 2008 2.0L Sport needs it’s wheels refurbished. It has some kerbing damage but the main thing is corrosion in particular in the valve areas. I have read all sorts of horror stories about powder coating and now I’m not sure what is best powder coated or painted. Has anyone had experience of either? Also I live in West Cornwall and my options for getting either of these processes carried out will be limited. Has anyone used a company in the Penzance/Truro area for wheel refurbishment?
Thanks
The Polished Wheel lCompany Wadebridge - 100% recommendation - have used them previously and finished product is superb .
Despite the horror stories I have had one set of MX-5 wheels and two sets of Ford wheels powder coated with no problems. Only use powder coaters who specialize in alloy wheels, not the local blacksmith. My powder coaters are in Herts.
Current wheels were powder coated by a previous owner about 5 years ago; they look absolutely rank now. They were powdercoated gold with a clear coat on top. The clear coat has lifted. Done by a wheel specialist. This is one of the better ones.
powder coated wheels do like nice, here is mine
Saz the reason the wheels look rank is that lacquer over polished is a poor finish & no one will warrant the longevity of finish.
I will only use Lepsons in Kent for wheel refurbs & they blast, repair & powder coat. They do a great job for reasonable money, helped by the fact they do in excess of 30,000 wheels a year. They’ll collect & deliver, the alternative is to book the car in & they store, sort the wheels out then refit.
http://www.lepsons.com/
I have had two sets of Mk3 Sport wheels refurbished.
The summer wheels
And the winter wheels
Both sets turned out very well with absolutely no problems (apart from me kerbing one of the summer wheels in France last year)
The powder coat finish is much better than the original finish, particularly on the inner rims.
No problems with my powdercoated wheels either. Nor on several motorcycle wheels I’d had done over the years.
As long as they are powdercoated by a professional who knows what they are doing then there isn’t a problem. Stay away from the ones who specialise in garden gates and you’ll be fine.
my powdercoated rims
The problem though is they all claim to know what they are doing, then they overheat the wheel…