Alloy Wheel repair

[loverboy]

Does anybody know if there is anything on the market for repairing stone chips on the face of alloy wheels? The stone chip has left a small indentation which is darker in colour than the rest of the alloy and is rather annoying. I was wondering if there is anything like a liquid alloy that you could just fill the hole up with and then apply some lacquer over the top. I know it is only a stone chip but I have only had the car with its shiny alloys for 2 months. Thanks for any replies .

[robber1]

There are a few franchised companies about now, who come to your home or place of work. I have used one called "Chipsaway". Look in the Yellow pages. Paint damage, no problem. They type your paint code into a computer and out comes the exact colour. Door mirrors, bad dents and scratches on bumpers all blended in with a laquer top coat.Door mirror cost about �45 to paint. Alloys are the same and will cost I reckon for a small repair about �30. Even a gouge is filled and laquered. :o)

[loverboy]

Thanks for that robber1 but what I was really after was something I could purchase so as to do the repair myself. Something like touch up paint for the paintwork on the car only instead of paint repair I would need touch up for an alloy wheel repair.

[derbyram]

Halfords sell Alloy wheel repair kits but I don't know how good they are. Just checked their website www.halfords.co.uk and they cost �24.99 Details :- This kit contains everything you need to repair your vehicle's alloy wheels and plastic hub covers. Complete with step by step instructions you'll find it easy to repair kerb scrapes, scratches and scuffs.* 5-6 repairs per kit * The kit includes a special alloy paint to re-coat both the damaged wheel and the three other wheels to match. This kit is suitable for repairing minor cosmetic damage, not structural defects.

[robber1]

It depend how old your car is or how "perfect" you want it to look. I had the impression that you had a new car. Kits are OK, but I bet the repair or touch up would be noticeable. (Like using touch up paint, its never a perfect job and can look worse). If the kit costs �25 and the result is amateurish, its a waste of money. Dont misunderstand me, this is what I would do, but it doesnt mean I am right.

[loverboy]

Thanks derbyram & robber1 for your answers. I will consider both your views and have a think about it before deciding what action to take.

[Wildfireuk]

As with chipsaway there are plenty of companys about, such as Trimline systems (http://www.trimline-systems.com) who will come to you anywhere in the country and do the repair at your house for no extra cost. Curbed, scratched and even gouged wheels are cheap and effective repairs and you will never know the difference. I called thier national call centre and was contacted within hours of the my first call and had my car done within a few days. You can call or just enter your details on their website and get prompt service. As for self repair kits, I don't know of any product that will repair them spotlessly really. As the silvers on the alloys differ so much between cars I suppose it's very difficult to match with just a single product.

[loverboy]

Thanks Wildfireuk you've given me some options to think over. I may wait till I damage the wheel with a more drastic result such as kerbing. Hopefully I don't but if I do the cost of repair would be more justified.

[matrixalloy]

I am located in Chicagoland area my company deals with on-site wheel repairs. We can repair rims that are scratch, face damage, clearcoat damage. Our color match are great and for what we charge you save hundreds of dollars. Please feel to call me [Telephone number removed as per site policy. - AB Editor]

[loverboy]

Thanks matrixalloy but as I live in the U.K. I don't think there will be much of a saving. Thanks anyway.