Getting my wheels refinished and straightened as I speak!

[Stu]

Yep, right now outside the Alloy Wheel Repair Specialist guy is refinishing and unbending all four of my wheels. I'm really excited to see the results. I walked out to see how the progress was going and how the process worked, and he said that they were actually bent pretty badly on the inside. He said the wheels looked as if they were clamped down way too hard on a tire machine and left some significant bends. Make sure you go to a reputable service center!! I don't know who the original owner went to, but they must be awful if they have the ability to do that to a wheel.

Here's my before:







After:






The pictures speak for themselves. Worth every single penny. The car is so much smoother, and the wheels look nearly new. There are some scuffs that he couldn't get to due to the design of the wheel, but they're not easily noticeable. If you're in the Raleigh area, get Charles Oliver of Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists.

[danewilson77]

What's that going to run?$$$

[Stu]

$800 for all four. Not bad for essentially new 135M's.

[pleasecorrupt]

Couldve had new 135s for that much through Danes eBay share

[billschusteriv]

Nice find Zell. Not a bad price point for wheel repair. I know places that charge more than half that for refinishing and rash repair.

Couldve had new 135s for that much through Danes eBay share

Just about... $980 shipped all tolled... IIRC...

[Stu]

Quick update. He just finished straightening the 2nd wheel I feel bad for him. I got him a big Redbull.

The wheels were clamped seriously improperly when these tires were mounted and really knocked them out of shape bad. But, he's starting the cosmetic refinishing process on the two right now. Two more to go after that. I have a feeling this may be more than $800 but we'll see. Regardless, I'm tipping him.

[danewilson77]

Please explain clamped where? During balancing or when mounted on car.

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[slowCoupe]

I'd be interested to hear about how he does the rash repair and refinishing. Mine are fairly well scratched, unfortunately. Too much time in major cities, it happens.

I've also noticed areas where the paint is simply wearing off, for whatever reason.

[Stu]

Please explain clamped where? During balancing or when mounted on car.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

I took a look at one of the wheels. I'm not sure how a tire mounting machine works, but the way he explained it was that whatever holds the wheel to the tire mounting machine, it held the wheel way too tight. There was sort of a star pattern of dents in inside of the wheel. Apparently it is making it incredibly difficult to straighten, but totally possible.

My theory is, they are low profile runflat tires. Very stiff. They must have been put on at a shop that didn't know how to properly put those on, and bent the wheels as a result. Apparently they neglected to tell the owner.

[danewilson77]

Ok....got it.

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