Should You Refurbish or Replace Your Alloy Wheels? The Honest Answer

You've scraped your alloy wheels against a kerb. Again. Or maybe they're just looking tired—corroded, faded, generally scruffy. So now you're wondering: is it worth refurbishing them, or should you just buy new ones?

Let's work through this properly, because the answer isn't always obvious.

The Money Question

Cost is usually the first thing people ask about, and honestly, it's a good place to start. Refurbishment is significantly cheaper than replacement in most cases.

At IQ Tyres, we charge £300 for a set of four 16-18 inch wheels, £360 for 19-20 inch wheels, and £400 for 21 inch and above. That's for a complete refurbishment—stripping, repairing, powder coating, the works.

Compare that to replacement. New alloy wheels start at around £100 each for basic aftermarket options, but can easily run to £300, £500, or more per wheel for quality brands or OEM replacements. For a full set, you're looking at £400 to £2,000 or more. Premium wheels or manufacturer original equipment? Even more expensive.

So refurbishment typically costs 50% to 80% less than replacement. That's a significant saving, and for most people, it's the deciding factor.

But cost isn't everything. Sometimes replacement makes more sense, even if it's more expensive. We'll get to that.

What Refurbishment Actually Involves

Professional refurbishment isn't just a quick spray of paint. It's a comprehensive process that addresses both cosmetic and structural issues.

We start by removing the wheels and inspecting them thoroughly. We're checking for structural damage—cracks, severe bends, anything that might compromise safety. If we find serious structural issues, we'll tell you honestly that replacement is the safer option.

Assuming the wheels are structurally sound, we chemically strip all the old paint, lacquer, and corrosion. This gets right back to bare metal, giving us a clean surface to work with.

If there are minor bends or buckles—common from hitting potholes—we straighten them using specialist equipment. This restores the wheel's true roundness, which is important for balance and smooth running.

Any cracks or more serious damage can often be welded and reinforced, though there are limits to what's safe to repair. We won't compromise on safety just to save you money.

Next comes surface preparation—sanding and smoothing to create the perfect base for the new finish. This step is crucial. Rush it, and the final result will be poor.

Then we apply powder coating. This is a dry finishing process that's far more durable than standard paint. The powder is electrostatically applied and then heat-cured, creating a tough, long-lasting finish that resists chips, scratches, and corrosion better than factory paint.

After curing, we do a final quality check and balance the wheels before refitting. The result should look as good as new—often better, because powder coating is tougher than many factory finishes.

What Can Be Fixed (And What Can't)

Understanding what refurbishment can and can't fix helps you make the right decision for your wheels.

Kerb Damage

This is the most common problem we see. You've scraped the wheel rim against a kerb, leaving scratches, scuffs, or gouges. Refurbishment handles this perfectly. We strip away the damaged surface, smooth it out, and apply a fresh finish. The wheel will look like it never happened.

Corrosion

Alloy wheels corrode over time, especially around the rim where moisture and road salt accumulate. It starts as white spots or patches and can spread if left untreated. Refurbishment removes all the corrosion and applies a protective coating that prevents it from coming back.

Paint Peeling or Fading

UV exposure and harsh weather deteriorate the wheel's finish over time. The paint or lacquer peels, fades, or becomes dull. Refurbishment strips the old finish completely and applies a fresh, durable coating that will last years.

Minor Bends

Hit a pothole hard enough, and your wheel can bend slightly. This affects balance and can cause vibration or uneven tyre wear. Most minor bends can be straightened during refurbishment. We're talking about bends that don't compromise the wheel's structural integrity—small deformations that can be safely corrected.

When Replacement Is Necessary

Some damage is beyond safe repair. Severe cracks that go deep into the wheel structure can't be reliably fixed. The wheel's integrity is compromised, and welding won't make it safe for road use.

Major bends—significant deformation from a serious impact—often can't be straightened safely. Even if we could bend it back, the metal has been stressed and weakened. It's not worth the risk.

If large chunks are missing—say, a significant portion of the rim has broken away—there's not enough material left to work with. Welding can fill small gaps, but it can't rebuild entire sections.

And if a wheel has been repaired multiple times already, it's probably time to replace it. Every repair weakens the structure slightly, and there's a limit to how many times you can fix the same wheel.

Beyond the Money: Other Reasons to Refurbish

Environmental Impact

Refurbishing wheels is more environmentally friendly than buying new ones. Manufacturing new alloy wheels requires significant energy and raw materials—mining and processing aluminum, casting or forging the wheels, applying finishes. Refurbishment uses a fraction of that energy and creates far less waste.

If you care about your environmental footprint—and more people do these days—refurbishment is the better choice.

Keeping Your Original Wheels

If your car has factory-fitted wheels, refurbishment lets you maintain the original equipment. This matters for several reasons.

First, resale value. Some buyers prefer cars with original wheels, especially on premium or classic vehicles. Aftermarket wheels can actually reduce value, even if they're good quality.

Second, authenticity. If you care about keeping your car as the manufacturer intended, original wheels matter.

Third, fit and quality. OEM wheels are designed specifically for your car. Aftermarket wheels might fit, but the offset, weight, and design might not be quite right. Original wheels are always the right specification.

Customization

Refurbishment offers an opportunity to change your wheels' appearance. Powder coating comes in a huge range of colors—you're not limited to the original finish. Want to go from silver to black? Anthracite? Bright color? It's all possible.

This gives you a fresh, personalized look without the cost of buying new wheels in a different style.

How Long Does It Last?

A professional refurbishment should last three to five years or longer with reasonable care. Powder coating is more durable than standard paint, resisting chipping, fading, and corrosion better than most factory finishes.

How long it actually lasts depends partly on how you treat your wheels. If you're careful parking, clean them regularly with appropriate products, and avoid harsh chemicals, you'll get maximum life from the refurbishment.

To keep refurbished wheels looking good, clean them regularly with pH-neutral wheel cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes, which can damage the finish. Be careful when parking near kerbs—obvious advice, but kerb damage is the main reason people need refurbishment in the first place. And consider applying a wheel sealant for extra protection against brake dust and road grime.

Our Process at IQ Tyres

We use professional powder coating techniques to ensure a durable, long-lasting finish. The process includes a free damage assessment and quote—we'll tell you honestly whether refurbishment is viable or whether you'd be better off replacing the wheels.

We completely strip the old finishes using chemical stripping, not just sanding over the top. We straighten and repair any damage that's safe to fix. We apply high-quality powder coating in your choice of color, then heat-cure it for maximum durability. And we balance the wheels before refitting them to your car.

Most refurbishments take three to five days, depending on how busy we are and how much work the wheels need.

So, Is It Worth It?

For most people, most of the time, yes. Refurbishment costs significantly less than replacement, produces results that look as good as new, and is better for the environment. If your wheels have cosmetic damage or minor structural issues, refurbishment is almost always the right choice.

Replacement makes more sense in a few specific situations. If your wheels have severe structural damage that can't be safely repaired, you need to replace them. If you want to upgrade to larger wheels or a completely different style, obviously you need to buy new ones. And if the cost of refurbishment approaches the cost of budget replacement wheels—which can happen with very cheap aftermarket options—the economics might favor replacement.

But for the vast majority of cases, refurbishment offers the best combination of cost-effectiveness, quality, and practicality. Your wheels will look fantastic, your car's value will be preserved, and you'll have money left over for other maintenance or upgrades.

And honestly? That's a pretty good outcome.