Diamond Cutting Wheel Repairs - Leicestershire/East Midlands

MDBB152

Active Member
Apr 29, 2022
24
15
After being a clumsy arse (A lot of help from a tractor driver as well) I’ve now got a Seat Leon Cupra 19” wheel with a nasty case of ’Curbing’ rash on the outer rim so am after any recommendations for a decent repairer please,
loads on Google but I’ve no idea if any good or not, if they were powder coated I’ve got a couple of places but not diamond cut.
ideally East Midlands if possible - Thanks
 

MDBB152

Active Member
Apr 29, 2022
24
15
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oldgitdave

Active Member
Mar 27, 2022
508
238
UK
Maybe a bit closer: Mitch's or this one Diamond Alloys

I've used the latter but not for diamond cut alloys and found them really good. Both have good reviews though. Good luck with it (y) . It's always a choker when you damage an alloy on your pride and joy!
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,414
1,298
Lepsons is considered on some forums to be the best wheel refurb company. They’re probably too far from you as they’re in Gillingham Kent, although getting your wheel couriered to them might be an option.


Another is The Wheel Specialist who do have a branch in Nottingham. They have been featured on Wheeler Dealers in the past (the Mike Brewer / Edd China TV programme) and they have lots of information on their website on diamond cut alloys and the refurb process.


Link specifically diamond cut alloys on The Wheel Specialist website;


I‘ve not used either of the above companies so can’t vouch personally for the quality of their work.
 

Lozzy15

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Mar 24, 2015
570
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Ilkeston, Derbyshire
Maybe a bit closer: Mitch's or this one Diamond Alloys

I've used the latter but not for diamond cut alloys and found them really good. Both have good reviews though. Good luck with it (y) . It's always a choker when you damage an alloy on your pride and joy!

I have a friend at work who used Diamond Alloys a few years ago and he was really happy with the results.
 
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Fencer60

Active Member
Jun 5, 2022
103
70
Meon Valley, Hampshire, UK.
The Wheel Specialist

I'm in a very similar situation to Marklcfc after some berk pulled out of his drive from behind a parked removal van.

The Wheel Specialist was recommended to me, so I went and I had a chat with them. Lovely, helpful people, and incredibly busy. I went in three weeks ago and I can't get my car in until the end of August. It's a three day process, too. I'm in Hampshire, though, but they do have other branches.

They also recommended a proper alignment service in Southampton run by a guy who takes pride in his work.
 

SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,414
1,298
I'm in a very similar situation to Marklcfc after some berk pulled out of his drive from behind a parked removal van.

The Wheel Specialist was recommended to me, so I went and I had a chat with them. Lovely, helpful people, and incredibly busy. I went in three weeks ago and I can't get my car in until the end of August. It's a three day process, too. I'm in Hampshire, though, but they do have other branches.

They also recommended a proper alignment service in Southampton run by a guy who takes pride in his work.

I think the fact that they’re very busy is probably a good sign - IMHO an in-demand company is normally a good indication that their work is of a high quality.
 
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MDBB152

Active Member
Apr 29, 2022
24
15
I’ve been in contact with The Wheel Specialist in Leicester who quoted £144 for diamond cut refurb - now toying with the idea of getting all 4 powder coated instead but now dilemma of what colour…………………………..
 

SRGTD

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May 26, 2014
2,414
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I’ve been in contact with The Wheel Specialist in Leicester who quoted £144 for diamond cut refurb - now toying with the idea of getting all 4 powder coated instead but now dilemma of what colour…………………………..

£144 sounds about right, as £120 was the going rate a couple of years ago for a good quality diamond cut refurb of a 19” alloy.

I‘d get them powder coated as I dislike diamond cut alloys with a passion 😠;
  • poor durability of the clear coat (lacquer) on the diamond cut face - bare alloy doesn’t provide a good surface for the clear coat to adhere to. It only takes a small stone chip in the clear coat and if it’s not touched in soon after, white worm corrosion will set under the clear coat on the diamond cut face. It’s probably a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ diamond cut alloys will succumb to white worm, particularly if they’re on a car all year round that used as a daily driver (diamond cut alloys and winter road conditions isn’t a good combination). White worm can be removed by refurbishing the wheels, but it usually comes back again 12-24 months later.
  • more expensive to refurbish than a powder coated alloy, and because the diamond cutting refurb process involves cutting a layer of alloy off the face of the wheel, they can only usually be refurbished a maximum of two times - more than twice and structural integrity of the wheel might be compromised.
  • easily damaged by over zealous or inexperienced tyre fitters and poorly maintained tyre changing equipment.
I do wish car manufacturers would get over their obsession with fitting diamond cut alloys to many of their cars!

Seeing the pictures of @stugee106 ’s alloys that were refurbished in a smoked chrome powder coat, that would be my colour of choice - posts numbered #15 and #21 in the discussion thread at the link below. I think @MaverickCoop has also got the same alloys in smoked chrome on their Cupra - post #19 in the same discussion thread;


Other colours I’d consider are anthracite or gunmetal grey. However on a Mystery Blue car, those colours might be a little too dark, although I think with anthracite you can get different shades ranging from light through to dark. Alternatively, if you’re feeling brave you could go for a copper or bronze colour 🤔.
 
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MDBB152

Active Member
Apr 29, 2022
24
15
Finally got may arse into gear and had the wheel redone - used a company in Leicestershire McMillan Alloys,
saw one of their vans pulling into the Bentley/Lamborghini dealership as I drove past so called them, sent a WhatsApp pic over and £60 later finished job, well happy with it and highly recommend them.
 

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SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
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Finally got may arse into gear and had the wheel redone - used a company in Leicestershire McMillan Alloys,
saw one of their vans pulling into the Bentley/Lamborghini dealership as I drove past so called them, sent a WhatsApp pic over and £60 later finished job, well happy with it and highly recommend them.
£60 is incredibly good value. Many places would be charging twice that - or even more - for a top quality refurb of a 19” diamond cut alloy.
 
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