Alloy wheels make your car look great and help it perform better, but they can get damaged during everyday driving. From scraping against kerbs to hitting potholes, your wheels face many challenges on the road. At Alloy Fix, we’re experts in alloy wheel repairs and refurbishing alloy wheels, but we’re often asked whether all types of wheel damage can be fixed. Let’s look at different kinds of wheel damage and when alloy wheel refurbishment is the right choice.

 

Common Types of Alloy Wheel Damage

 

Kerbed Alloys and Curb Rash

This is probably the most common damage we see at our workshop. It happens when your wheel scrapes against a kerb while parking or turning. You’ll notice scratches or scuffs along the outer edge of the wheel. The damaged area typically shows up as scratches, scuffs, and sometimes minor material loss along the rim edge. While this type of damage looks bad, it usually doesn’t affect how your wheel works.

Good news: This type of damage is perfect for our wheel refurbishment services and can be completely restored to look like new.

 

Dented or Bent Alloy Wheels

Bent or dented wheels typically happen when you hit something hard, like a deep pothole or a high kerb at speed. Unlike kerb rash, this kind of damage can affect how your car drives, causing vibrations, steering problems, or uneven tyre wear.

At Alloy Fix, we can repair many bent wheels using state of the art equipment. Our technicians are trained to assess whether a bent wheel can be safely straightened or if it needs to be replaced.

 

Cracked Alloy Wheels

Cracks in alloy wheels are more serious and represent a safety risk. These can vary from tiny hairline fractures to large breaks. Cracks usually come from hitting road hazards or from stress on the wheel.

Small cracks are sometimes hard to spot, especially when your wheels are covered in brake dust. That’s why regular cleaning and inspection of your wheels is important.

 

Corroded and Oxidised Alloys

While alloy wheels don’t rust like iron-based metals, they do corrode. This usually appears as white marks rather than the reddish-brown rust you might be familiar with. Corrosion happens when the protective coatings alloy wheel manufacturers apply gets damaged, exposing the metal underneath to the elements.

This problem is especially common in winter when roads are treated with salt, which can speed up corrosion if it gets through any cracks in your wheel’s protective finish.

 

What Can Be Refurbished and What Cannot?

 

Suitable for Refurbishment

Kerbed Alloys: Our diamond cut and powder coating processes can completely restore wheels with surface damage. We’ll sand down the affected area, use fillers where needed, and refinish the wheel to look brand new. When we refurbish your alloys, we ensure every detail is perfect.

Minor Dents and Bends: Wheels with minor to moderate bends can often be successfully straightened through our specialised processes. Rather than replacing the entire wheel, our technicians can restore the wheel to its original shape through controlled reforming. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has recognised certain straightening processes as reliable and safe when done correctly.

Surface Corrosion: Our alloy wheel refurbishment process can effectively treat early-stage corrosion that hasn’t gone too deep. We remove the corroded material, treat the area, and apply new protective coatings to prevent future damage.

 

When Replacement Is Necessary

Please note: Not all damaged wheels can be safely refurbished. In some cases, replacement is the only safe option:

Significant Structural Damage: Wheels with severe structural damage, including major bends, extensive cracking, or significant material loss, generally cannot be safely refurbished. Attempting to repair severely compromised wheels might not restore their original strength.

Extensive Cracking: Any wheel with significant cracks presents a serious safety risk. While minor hairline cracks can sometimes be repaired through professional welding, wheels with extensive cracking or multiple fracture points typically require replacement rather than refurbishment. We always prioritise your safety over attempting a repair that might not be 100% reliable.

Advanced Corrosion: Corrosion that has progressed deeply into the wheel structure, particularly in critical areas such as the tire bead seat, represents a serious safety concern. Advanced corrosion can compromise the wheel’s ability to maintain proper tire sealing and withstand normal stresses. In these cases, we’ll recommend replacement for your safety.

 

Why Choose Alloy Fix for Your Wheel Refurbishment?

At Alloy Fix, we take pride in our expert assessment and honest advice. Our technicians are trained to evaluate all types of wheel damage and recommend the most appropriate solution, whether that’s refurbishing alloy wheels or replacement.

We offer:

• 3-Year Warranty: We’re the only company in the UK to offer a 3-year warranty on all powder coating and diamond cut wheels. This shows our confidence in the quality of our work.
• Expert Technicians: Our team has successfully restored thousands of wheels to factory condition. We can fix up to 99% of all buckles and welds with our alloy wheel repairs service.
• Loan Wheels Available: We understand that leaving your car might not always be an option. That’s why we offer loan wheels, so you can drive away the same day.
• High-Quality Materials: We use only the best materials and equipment for our wheel refurbishment services, giving your wheels a finish that’s even better than factory standard.

 

Our Refurbishment Process

When you bring your wheels to us for alloy wheel refurbishment, we follow a comprehensive process:

1. Assessment: We carefully examine the damaged area to determine if refurbishment is suitable.
2. Preparation: We strip the old finish and prepare the wheel surface.
3. Repair: Our technicians repair any damage, from minor scuffs to more serious issues.
4. Finishing: We can either paint the wheels or apply our premium powder coating for superior durability.
5. Diamond Cutting: For diamond cut finishes, we use our state of the art lathe to create that distinctive reflective surface before applying a protective clear coat.

 

How to Prevent Alloy Wheel Damage

The best way to avoid costly repairs is to prevent damage in the first place. Here are some tips:

• Be Careful Around Kerbs: Take extra care when parking or manoeuvring near kerbs.
• Watch Out for Potholes: Slow down when approaching potholes or bad road surfaces.
• Regular Cleaning: Clean your wheels regularly to remove brake dust and corrosive substances like road salt. This helps you spot early signs of damage or corrosion before they become serious problems.
• Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure: This provides cushioning against impacts and can reduce the chance of damage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How long does alloy wheel refurbishment take?

For most standard refurbishments, we can complete the work within 1-2 days. More complex repairs might take a bit longer. We offer loan wheels so you can continue to use your car while we work on your wheels.

 

How much does it cost to refurbish your alloys?

The cost depends on the type of damage, the size of your wheels, and the finish you choose. Contact our friendly team for a free quote, and we’ll give you a clear breakdown of the costs involved.

 

Will refurbished wheels be as strong as new ones?

When done professionally by our expert technicians, refurbished wheels maintain their structural integrity and safety. For cosmetic damage and minor structural issues, our repairs restore both appearance and function to like-new condition. However, please note that for certain types of severe damage, we’ll always recommend replacement if we believe repair won’t provide the necessary safety level.

 

Final Thoughts

While many types of alloy wheel damage can be successfully refurbished, safety should always be your primary concern. At Alloy Fix, we provide honest assessments and high-quality alloy wheel repairs for suitable damage types, but we’ll never compromise on safety by attempting to refurbish wheels with serious structural issues.

If you’re unsure about the condition of your wheels, contact our team for a professional assessment. With our industry-leading 3-year warranty and expert technicians, you can trust Alloy Fix to keep your wheels looking great and performing safely for years to come.

Ready to refurbish your alloys? Visit our alloy refurbishment page or contact us today for a consultation!