2016 Cupra 2016 alloy wheel choice/refurbs

[perryqhill]

Hi all. I've had my Cupra for 3 and a half years now and we've got the diamond cut standard alloys on which are pretty disgusting with lots of kerbing from the missus. I'm not sure what they're called but they're the diamond cut ones with the grey color in the recessed areas.

I've seen ones painted black before and I'm not keen. I'm unsure whether to go with a straight refurb or whether powder coating is an idea - maybe a sparkling silver or a graphite etc. Has anyone got pictures of these alloys that have been refurbished to give me an idea of what they look like?

 

[Seriously?]

Personally I'd always go for a powder refurb in the colour of your choice; you only get a limited number of recuts if you get them refurbed back to diamond and any damage to the lacquer, including stone chips, will eventually see the dreaded white worm reappearing.

 

[H Rafiq]

Is a powder refurb all round expensive? I have exact same alloys as perryqhill. I had mine refurbed but they’ve got kerbing again. I’ll go down the powder coating route now I think if it’s more durable. What colours best, a dark grey perhaps?

 

[Seriously?]

Bottom line is, no finish is immune from kerbing. Powder does tend to be better for shrugging off stone chips though.
I think you'll find in most places, powder coating is cheaper than a recut of a diamond turned wheel.

 

[SRGTD]

Powder coating is definitely more durable than diamond cut. It won‘t stop kerbing damage though, but it will be easier to DIY repair (or get a SMART repair) for kerb damage on a powder coated finish; diamond cut alloys usually require a full refurb.

Kerb damage aside, diamond cut alloys are also quite susceptible to white worm corrosion because of the poor(er) durability of the finish compared to powder coated alloys - do an internet search on ‘white worm corrosion’ and you’ll see plenty of images (some are quite spectacular). The diamond cut bare metal face of the spokes / rim of the alloy wheel doesn‘t provide a good ‘key’ for the clear ‘protective’ lacquer coat to bond to, so all it takes is a small stone chip to the lacquer and the bare metal is exposed to the elements, which if left unrepaired, water and (in winter) road salt solution enters at the point of damage and creeps over the face of the alloy under the lacquer. The only way to really remove white worm is a full professional refurb typically costing in the region of £120-£140 plus VAT per wheel (that was the typical price a couple of years ago, so it may well cost more now). The refurb may last 2-3 years before white worm comes back.

Also, with diamond cut alloys, because of refurb process involves recutting the face of the wheel by removing a layer of alloy, wheels can only be refurbished twice - more than twice, and too much metal may be removed which would compromise the structural integrity of the wheel. Tyre fitters also seem to have an uncanny knack of damaging diamond cut alloys when removing and refitting tyres.

I dislike diamond cut alloys with a passion and given the choice, I’d always go for alloys with a powder coat finish. As for colour, IMHO shades of grey (e.g. anthracite, smoked chrome, graphite, gunmetal) usually work quite well with most car colours. With gloss black it’s difficult to keep them looking clean (similar to trying to keep a black car clean) - shortly after washing, they tend to take on a brown-ish appearance from brake dust deposits. Also with black alloys, it can be difficult to see the design of the wheel unless you’re standing close to the car.

 

[Railwayman]

Is a powder refurb all round expensive? I have exact same alloys as perryqhill. I had mine refurbed but they’ve got kerbing again. I’ll go down the powder coating route now I think if it’s more durable. What colours best, a dark grey perhaps?

Just had two CUPRA copper finished alloys refurbished for £120 plus vat each. Excellent finish, all powder coat. I’d curbed them (very slightly) and scratched the copper coating off in a couple of places. If you touch a kerb the coating will come off, but they definitely look better and last longer in my opinion. The guys did say that they have to strip the wheel completely (acid dip) and start again to make them look like new, and mine definitely look like new wheels.

 

[perryqhill]

I'm definitely considering either a graphite or a sparkly silver, even considered a light bronze but on a red car may be a bit ott. Would just like to see some different colours on a mk Cupra.

 

[tracktoy]

I did this back in 2018 (bought second hand powder coated wheels)

This is the Graphite on the car

 

[Railwayman]

I'm definitely considering either a graphite or a sparkly silver, even considered a light bronze but on a red car may be a bit ott. Would just like to see some different colours on a mk Cupra.

I’d recommend going ott! Attached is a photo of my refurbished wheel.

 

[tracktoy]

well if you want to go OTT how about a bold color against the body paint

 

[H Rafiq]

I did this back in 2018 (bought second hand powder coated wheels)

This is the Graphite on the car

View attachment 38319

This colour looks good. Similar to stock. Looks like stock 2-tone still cuz of the shadows.

 

[Zx7R]

Hi all. I've had my Cupra for 3 and a half years now and we've got the diamond cut standard alloys on which are pretty disgusting with lots of kerbing from the missus. I'm not sure what they're called but they're the diamond cut ones with the grey color in the recessed areas.

I've seen ones painted black before and I'm not keen. I'm unsure whether to go with a straight refurb or whether powder coating is an idea - maybe a sparkling silver or a graphite etc. Has anyone got pictures of these alloys that have been refurbished to give me an idea of what they look like?

I've got mine for 7'th year, couple of years ago I decided to fix scratches at my detailers. He got the wheels painted with a gunmetal gray, not silver color but grey one. The similar color is in the inner parts of the spokes. The intention was to have as original look as possible, and so it does. Now after couple of years I have scratched the wheels again - will re-do the paint

The car is dirty, don't pay attention to it, but the scratches are gone with refurbishing. It also did cost me much less than I thought it would be - for all 4 wheels less than a cost of new original wheel.

 

[tracktoy]

I've got mine for 7'th year, couple of years ago I decided to fix scratches at my detailers. He got the wheels painted with a gunmetal gray, not silver color but grey one. The similar color is in the inner parts of the spokes. The intention was to have as original look as possible, and so it does. Now after couple of years I have scratched the wheels again - will re-do the paint

The car is dirty, don't pay attention to it, but the scratches are gone with refurbishing. It also did cost me much less than I thought it would be - for all 4 wheels less than a cost of new original wheel.

On a different note I have just changed my pilot super sports to the Continetalk sport contact 7 how have you fund them

 

[Zx7R]

On a different note I have just changed my pilot super sports to the Continetalk sport contact 7 how have you fund them

Some historical intro:
When I bought the car (from the dealership) it came with pZeroes, finished those in a year and a half - terrible experience. Wheel hopping all the time, and finished in less than 20K.
Then I put Mischelin PS4S - an excellent tire, excellent grip and all, but they are a bit square on the edges - it was touching a bit the upper parts of the wheel arcs, I thought to go and rise a bit the car. But, due to the corona lockdowns, the car was sitting almost with no move in the underground parking, so it was not urgent. After 5 years the PS4Ss became dry, even though there was plenty of meat on them, after 40+K! I guess if they were not that dry, it would be enough for more years to drive, but - no grip, and I don't want to find myself on some turn in a ditch

I've change to the conties as my friend suggested. I am very happy with them - the grip is amazing, in the rain the grip is also excellent, the tire itself rounder on the edges, so I didn't need to rise my car. Very happy. They also for some reason did cost cheaper than PS4S, like about 10-15%.

 

[tracktoy]

Some historical intro:
When I bought the car (from the dealership) it came with pZeroes, finished those in a year and a half - terrible experience. Wheel hopping all the time, and finished in less than 20K.
Then I put Mischelin PS4S - an excellent tire, excellent grip and all, but they are a bit square on the edges - it was touching a bit the upper parts of the wheel arcs, I thought to go and rise a bit the car. But, due to the corona lockdowns, the car was sitting almost with no move in the underground parking, so it was not urgent. After 5 years the PS4Ss became dry, even though there was plenty of meat on them, after 40+K! I guess if they were not that dry, it would be enough for more years to drive, but - no grip, and I don't want to find myself on some turn in a ditch

I've change to the conties as my friend suggested. I am very happy with them - the grip is amazing, in the rain the grip is also excellent, the tire itself rounder on the edges, so I didn't need to rise my car. Very happy. They also for some reason did cost cheaper than PS4S, like about 10-15%.

Thank you, Yes I needed some new tyres and the test results looked very good.

 

[perryqhill]

I like the graphite and gunmetal. I like the bronze too but want something that looks almost standard. I've just done a bit of searching and found a video from a few years ago where someone has had something called 'black chrome' and I quite like that too.

 

[nelly201]

Just had two CUPRA copper finished alloys refurbished for £120 plus vat each. Excellent finish, all powder coat. I’d curbed them (very slightly) and scratched the copper coating off in a couple of places. If you touch a kerb the coating will come off, but they definitely look better and last longer in my opinion. The guys did say that they have to strip the wheel completely (acid dip) and start again to make them look like new, and mine definitely look like new wheels.

Good morning, Railwayman. Could I ask where you had your wheels refurbed? A local specialist in Norfolk wouldn’t touch mine as they had issues with the copper finish. Any advice appreciated. Shaun.

 

[Railwayman]

Good morning, Railwayman. Could I ask where you had your wheels refurbed? A local specialist in Norfolk wouldn’t touch mine as they had issues with the copper finish. Any advice appreciated. Shaun.

Hi, Full Moon Alloys at Preston Lancashire. Best to have two done at the same time as the copper is a slightly lighter finish. The satin black is exactly the same though.

 

[nelly201]

Thank you.