Refurbished alloys gone wrong!

[Rmo]

Hi all

A couple of weeks ago I got my CSL style alloys refurbished and done in gloss black from a local, reputable company along with a gloss black wrap on the roof.

The wrap is faultless, however my alloy paint has started peeling!
I have contacted them however I'd like to know what your experiences are in terms of the work that should have been performed.

The tyres were not removed and the inside of the alloys were as filthy as when I dropped them off, meaning that hadn't been touched. The gloss black was just applied just to the front surface - is this right?
Secondly, the paint that's started flaking is showing how thin this is. I have no idea how thick paint should be but it is very 'flakey'.
Lastly, I wasn't told about any special care that needed to be taken - I have used Meguirs gold shampoo and that's about it along with a sponge.

Any input on your experiences/advice on how to approach this would be appreciated! Thanks

 

[goldbcfc]

sounds like they wasn't stripped properly, not enough coats added and probably not enough lacquer if its already coming off. Ive had alloys done for as little as £20 per wheel fine before at city powder coating in Birmingham so it looks like poor technique has been used

 

[Smartbear]

They've just been tarted up on the outside face as opposed to a full refurb, doesn't sound like powder coat either if the tires didn't come off (powder coat goes in an oven to melt & cure)
What did they explain to you they were going to do?
Rob

 

[Marlon]

As Rob says: What exactly did they say they were going to do to the alloys, and also how much did you pay?

 

[Rmo]

Thanks for the responses guys.

The link below shows where I got them done and what is advertised. My understanding was that this was a full refurbishment, no shortcuts as per their website. I also rang twice to confirm this was a full service.

http://www.expressionautomotive.co.uk/alloy-wheel-refurbishment.html

I paid £225 + VAT for 4 alloys refurbed in gloss black.
They have responded to say they will rectify the peeling paint - should I insist the whole wheel is done? As I said it was untouched and filthy so the alloys definitely didn't get a good clean. I have made the assumption the tyres didn't come off because there was no residue on them, and the wheel nut hadn't moved

 

[patriot66]

It says 'powder coat' on their home page. You cannot just powder coat the front face of an alloy wheel. You need to remove tyre, valve, weights etc and then strip back to alloy. Then repair dents and scuffs etc prior to powder coat process. I would get straight back onto them. :x

 

[PerryGunn]

Thanks for the responses guys.

The link below shows where I got them done and what is advertised. My understanding was that this was a full refurbishment, no shortcuts as per their website. I also rang twice to confirm this was a full service.

http://www.expressionautomotive.co.uk/alloy-wheel-refurbishment.html

I paid £225 + VAT for 4 alloys refurbed in gloss black.

If it was a full refurbishment the interiors should be spotless, the process should go something like
- remove tyres/wheel weights/valves
- check for out-of-true or cracking
- chemical strip (min. of several hours in a chemical bath)
- washed to remove chemicals
- shot blasted
- remediation of buckles/cracks
- powder coated (colour coat)
- heated in oven & then cooled
- powder coat (lacquer coat) although some companies will do a spray lacquer
- heated in oven & then cooled
- valves / tyres replaced and wheels balanced

 

[Any1else]

I got 4 18 inch alloys done two months ago - tyres off, acid stripped, degassed, primed, powder coated, laquered, tyres refitted and wheels balanced for £240. Thought that was a good price for a full wheel refurb.

Sounds like you got the touch up refurb but paid for the full refurb.

 

[ChrisN53]

I'd be insisting all four wheels are actually refurbished this time around! i.e. what you paid them to do!

 

[ekimj10]

Unread postby Any1else » Mon Jul 11, 2016 2:48 pm

I got 4 18 inch alloys done two months ago - tyres off, acid stripped, degassed, primed, powder coated, laquered, tyres refitted and wheels balanced for £240. Thought that was a good price for a full wheel refurb.

Sounds like you got the touch up refurb but paid for the full refurb.

That is a very good price, I've paid £50 a wheel for a front face clean up to repair scuffs, re-spray, where the tyre is deflated and not removed, this being done from inside a van parked on my drive, the inside of the rim is not touched. Agree with Any1else this sounds like what's happened.

 

[PerryGunn]

I've paid £50 a wheel for a front face clean up to repair scuffs, re-spray, where the tyre is deflated and not removed, this being done from inside a van parked on my drive, the inside of the rim is not touched.

Remember that you pay extra for the convenience of the 'Man in a van' coming to you - that sort of job should be much cheaper if you take the wheels to an industrial unit/workshop and leave them there for a couple of days....

 

[goon]

Get a refund and go elsewhere!

 

[Scooba_Steve]

^ I second this. I would be happy to argue that I had been misled and was unwilling to have an further work carried out.

 

[PerryGunn]

Get a refund and go elsewhere!

^ I second this. I would be happy to argue that I had been misled and was unwilling to have an further work carried out.

...and hopefully you paid by credit card so that you can take it up with them if the refurbishers are awkward about it...?

 

[Rmo]

Get a refund and go elsewhere!

^ I second this. I would be happy to argue that I had been misled and was unwilling to have an further work carried out.

...and hopefully you paid by credit card so that you can take it up with them if the refurbishers are awkward about it...?

I will email the company tomorrow armed with the confirmation that what I thought I should have got was correct!

Unfortunately I only have an American Express credit card and they don't accept amex, so I paid via Debit

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You have chargeback with debit which isn't as good. If you have to go down the legal route then you'll have to let them attempt to fix the problem.

 

[Rialas]

You have chargeback with debit which isn't as good. If you have to go down the legal route then you'll have to let them attempt to fix the problem.

I wouldn't let them touch my wheels again after that.

 

[Scooba_Steve]

You'd have to be prepared to argue that and may well take a costs hit if it's deemed unreasonable.

 

[goldbcfc]

Check out city powder coating in Birmingham I'd never pay excess of £200 again for refurbing wheels. Here it costs £20 per wheel or £30 if tyres still on. I've had 4 sets done before people start saying there no good I was sceptical my self for years before using them. So sent my mate there first after he paid £300+ somewhere else and they went crap after 2yrs. I will continue going to these guys for that price I could refurb them each year If I wanted

check their facebook page out

 

[Rialas]

You'd have to be prepared to argue that and may well take a costs hit if it's deemed unreasonable.

They masked up the tyres, and sprayed over the wheels, I guess without rubbing the paint hence why they're flaking.

That cost should have covered a proper strip down and powder coat. I couldn't give them a second chance.