Kerbed a wheel on the way into a tight parking space? You are not alone. Kerb rash, flaking lacquer and white corrosion are some of the most common jobs we see roll into the unit here in Scunthorpe, and a good refurb can make a set of alloys look factory fresh again.

The honest answer on alloy wheel refurbishment cost is that it depends on the damage, the finish and whether you want one wheel done or the full set. This guide walks you through the process, the finish options and a realistic price guide so you know what to expect before you ring us.

Why alloys corrode and kerb in the first place

Alloy wheels are protected by a thin layer of lacquer. Once that layer is chipped by a kerb, cracked by heat or worn thin by harsh wheel cleaners, moisture and road salt get underneath. That is when you see the white powdery corrosion creeping out from the rim and the lacquer starting to lift and peel.

Our winters up here do not help. Salt and grit on the roads around North Lincolnshire sit on your wheels for weeks. Left alone a small bit of kerb rash turns into flaking lacquer and pitting, which is why sorting damage early is cheaper than leaving it to spread across the whole face of the wheel.

The refurbishment process, step by step

A proper refurb is not a quick blow over. We take the tyre off, strip the wheel back to bare metal, then repair any kerb damage and corrosion by filling and sanding until the rim is straight and smooth. Skip that prep and the finish will never last, no matter how good the paint looks on day one.

Once the wheel is prepped it gets primed, sprayed in your chosen colour and then sealed with a hard wearing lacquer. We balance and refit the tyre afterwards so the wheels go back on ready to drive. The prep is where the real work is and it is the part cheap jobs cut corners on.

Painted, diamond cut and colour changes

There are two main finishes. Painted or powder style finishes are hard wearing and easy to repair, and they come in any colour you fancy including gloss black, gunmetal, anthracite or a full colour change to match or contrast your car. Diamond cut wheels have a machined shiny face lacquered over the metal, which looks stunning but is more involved to redo and needs a lathe.

Colour changes are one of the most popular jobs we do. Going from a tired silver to a deep gloss black or a satin grey completely changes the look of a car for a fraction of the cost of new wheels. If you are not sure what suits your motor, bring it down and we will talk it through honestly.

Every wheel is different so this is a ballpark guide only. The exact price depends on seeing the wheel, but it gives you a feel for what different levels of damage tend to cost per wheel.

Damage level	Typical fix	Price guide per wheel
Light kerb rash	Sand, refinish and lacquer	35 to 55 pounds
Heavy kerb and lacquer peel	Strip, repair, full refinish	55 to 80 pounds
Corrosion and colour change	Full strip, prep and new colour	70 to 100 pounds
Diamond cut reface	Machine, seal and lacquer	90 to 130 pounds

Making the finish last with ceramic wheel coating

Once your wheels are freshly refurbished they are worth protecting. A ceramic wheel coating adds a tough layer over the lacquer that helps repel brake dust, road salt and water. It makes the wheels far easier to clean and slows down the corrosion that started the problem in the first place.

It is an optional extra, not a must have, but if you have just spent good money getting a set done it makes sense to keep them looking that way. We will give you an honest steer on whether it is worth it for how and where you drive rather than just adding it to the bill.

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