Alloy Damage

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S_94
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Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

Afternoon all.

Did my first clean for about 9 months today and unfortunately noticed some damage to my front right alloy. I know for certainty I’ve never hit/scratched any of my alloys as I’m so paranoid when it comes to parking.

I’ve heard some horror stories regarding diamond cut alloys so I’m always sure to be careful when parking.

I’m assuming it might have been a stone chip / general wear and tear and now white worm has started? Bit gutted as it’s noticeable and looks like it’ll get worse. Under the assumption not much can be done?

Some pictures:
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OomStu_ZA
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by OomStu_ZA »

I have a similar small scratch on one of my rims hecause the installer struggled with getting the tyre wall over the rim during install (Michelin PS4 as well). It can be repaired but as always it costs money.
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

OomStu_ZA wrote: Sat Apr 03, 2021 4:25 pm I have a similar small scratch on one of my rims hecause the installer struggled with getting the tyre wall over the rim during install (Michelin PS4 as well). It can be repaired but as always it costs money.
That's a shame. I was worried about that when swapping the tyres over but that was done quite a while ago and luckily there was no damage at that point.
SRGTD
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by SRGTD »

@S_94; it’s never nice to discover alloy damage. Has anyone else driven your car that might have caused the damage? e.g. your local VW dealer if your car was back at the dealership for servicing or warranty work or have you had new tyres fitted or a puncture repair during that 9 month period? As @OomStu_ZA had suggested, the damage could’ve been caused by a careless tyre fitter, or possibly a poorly maintained tyre changing machine.

Diamond cut alloys can be refurbished, and looking at the extent of your damage your wheel could easily be refurbished back to new factory condition. A good quality refurbishment of a diamond cut 18” alloy would cost around £80-£90 plus VAT. I don’t know where you’re located in the UK but Lepsons are meant to be one of the best alloy wheel refurb companies - they’re based in Gillingham, Kent and get good reviews on other VW forums. Link to their website below;

https://www.lepsons.com/

Hope you get it sorted and it’s soon back to new condition.
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

SRGTD wrote: Sat Apr 03, 2021 5:37 pm @S_94; it’s never nice to discover alloy damage. Has anyone else driven your car that might have caused the damage? e.g. your local VW dealer if your car was back at the dealership for servicing or warranty work or have you had new tyres fitted or a puncture repair during that 9 month period? As @OomStu_ZA had suggested, the damage could’ve been caused by a careless tyre fitter, or possibly a poorly maintained tyre changing machine.

Diamond cut alloys can be refurbished, and looking at the extent of your damage your wheel could easily be refurbished back to new factory condition. A good quality refurbishment of a diamond cut 18” alloy would cost around £80-£90 plus VAT. I don’t know where you’re located in the UK but Lepsons are meant to be one of the best alloy wheel refurb companies - they’re based in Gillingham, Kent and get good reviews on other VW forums. Link to their website below;

https://www.lepsons.com/

Hope you get it sorted and it’s soon back to new condition.
Nobody else has driven it and it hasn't been into VW since last May. I cleaned it a few times between May-August and it definitely wasn't damaged at that point. I'm now wondering if I might have caught it on the curb outside my house by accident without noticing, I do always park that side of the car facing the curb so it could have happened. :roll:

Good to know the damage could be repaired and at that price it's definitely better than a brand new one (currently £243.50). I'm based in South Wales so will have to have a look around and see what I can find. Thanks for the advice SRGTD. :)

Will update on what happens next...
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by monkeyhanger »

If it's a long term keeper rather than PCP for 3 years, rinse and repeat, i'd get the set of wheels powder coated, whiteworm corrosion is almost inevitable at 2.5 years old with diamond cut. If it'll be going in against another, I doubt the dealer would mark your p/x value down for it, are you likely to scrape again? What you should do, while you decide is get that scrape covered with clear lacquer so the bare metal doesn't corrode.
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

monkeyhanger wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:47 am If it's a long term keeper rather than PCP for 3 years, rinse and repeat, i'd get the set of wheels powder coated, whiteworm corrosion is almost inevitable at 2.5 years old with diamond cut. If it'll be going in against another, I doubt the dealer would mark your p/x value down for it, are you likely to scrape again? What you should do, while you decide is get that scrape covered with clear lacquer so the bare metal doesn't corrode.
Honestly have no idea at this point if I'll be keeping once the PCP is up, love the car but have been looking at some GTI TCR's. After this I'll be parking further away from the curb so hopefully not...

I've had a quote from a company The Wheel Specialists (think they have a few branches around the UK) for £120.

Thanks monkeyhanger, any recommendations on what lacquer to buy?
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by monkeyhanger »

S_94 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 11:25 am
monkeyhanger wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:47 am If it's a long term keeper rather than PCP for 3 years, rinse and repeat, i'd get the set of wheels powder coated, whiteworm corrosion is almost inevitable at 2.5 years old with diamond cut. If it'll be going in against another, I doubt the dealer would mark your p/x value down for it, are you likely to scrape again? What you should do, while you decide is get that scrape covered with clear lacquer so the bare metal doesn't corrode.
Honestly have no idea at this point if I'll be keeping once the PCP is up, love the car but have been looking at some GTI TCR's. After this I'll be parking further away from the curb so hopefully not...

I've had a quote from a company The Wheel Specialists (think they have a few branches around the UK) for £120.

Thanks monkeyhanger, any recommendations on what lacquer to buy?
Any clear coat automotive paint. If you buy a VW touch up pen set, you get your colour and a clear coat.

How careful are you normally? If this is a once in 5 years event, get it repaired, if you're likely to scrape it again, you might be better just buying a new wheel at the end of your PCP if your dealer is going to drop your p/x value down against your next one (unlikely).
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

monkeyhanger wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 12:09 pm
S_94 wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 11:25 am
monkeyhanger wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 7:47 am If it's a long term keeper rather than PCP for 3 years, rinse and repeat, i'd get the set of wheels powder coated, whiteworm corrosion is almost inevitable at 2.5 years old with diamond cut. If it'll be going in against another, I doubt the dealer would mark your p/x value down for it, are you likely to scrape again? What you should do, while you decide is get that scrape covered with clear lacquer so the bare metal doesn't corrode.
Honestly have no idea at this point if I'll be keeping once the PCP is up, love the car but have been looking at some GTI TCR's. After this I'll be parking further away from the curb so hopefully not...

I've had a quote from a company The Wheel Specialists (think they have a few branches around the UK) for £120.

Thanks monkeyhanger, any recommendations on what lacquer to buy?
Any clear coat automotive paint. If you buy a VW touch up pen set, you get your colour and a clear coat.

How careful are you normally? If this is a once in 5 years event, get it repaired, if you're likely to scrape it again, you might be better just buying a new wheel at the end of your PCP if your dealer is going to drop your p/x value down against your next one (unlikely).
Cheers mate.

I'd like to say normally extremely careful. So I think I'll go for the repair option... and stay away from curbs. :roll:
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

Had the Alloy repaired yesterday (picked up today). Was done by a company called The Wheel Specialist, have to say the service was brilliant and the Alloy has come out looking brand new. Really pleased with the end result. Total cost of repair was £120.
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SRGTD
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by SRGTD »

That looks better! 😎. £120 is about the going rate for an 18” diamond cut alloy.

I think that Wheeler Dealers (Mike Brewer & Edd China) used a branch of The Wheel Specialist to refurbish a set of alloys on one of the cars that featured in their TV series.
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

SRGTD wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:40 pm That looks better! 😎. £120 is about the going rate for an 18” diamond cut alloy.

I think that Wheeler Dealers (Mike Brewer & Edd China) used a branch of The Wheel Specialist to refurbish a set of alloys on one of the cars that featured in their TV series.
Thanks mate! :) Was originally quoted £150 which I think was on the higher end of the price scale. Was informed it was more likely to be between £100-120 so in the end can't complain.

Love a bit of Wheeler Dealers, surprised I haven't seen that episode! :lol:
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by SRGTD »

S_94 wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:51 pm
SRGTD wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:40 pm That looks better! 😎. £120 is about the going rate for an 18” diamond cut alloy.

I think that Wheeler Dealers (Mike Brewer & Edd China) used a branch of The Wheel Specialist to refurbish a set of alloys on one of the cars that featured in their TV series.
Thanks mate! :) Was originally quoted £150 which I think was on the higher end of the price scale. Was informed it was more likely to be between £100-120 so in the end can't complain.

Love a bit of Wheeler Dealers, surprised I haven't seen that episode! :lol:
It was a good few years ago;

https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/me ... y5779%5D/0
S_94
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by S_94 »

SRGTD wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:58 pm
S_94 wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:51 pm
SRGTD wrote: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:40 pm That looks better! 😎. £120 is about the going rate for an 18” diamond cut alloy.

I think that Wheeler Dealers (Mike Brewer & Edd China) used a branch of The Wheel Specialist to refurbish a set of alloys on one of the cars that featured in their TV series.
Thanks mate! :) Was originally quoted £150 which I think was on the higher end of the price scale. Was informed it was more likely to be between £100-120 so in the end can't complain.

Love a bit of Wheeler Dealers, surprised I haven't seen that episode! :lol:
It was a good few years ago;

https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/me ... y5779%5D/0
Cheers mate, will see if I can find the episode online. :)
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Re: Alloy Damage

Post by Andy Beats »

Have I read right, that a brand new alloy is £243.00?
Is that 18"?
Seems really cheap, they charge more than that for an armrest.
If it's right I'd maybe consider that instead of a repair, just because it's more convenient swapping a tyre over than sending a wheel away.
Then sell the damaged one on ebay.
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