Alloy Wheel Refurbishment in Mitcham, South London
Professional powder coating and kerb damage repair for sets of four. We strip, repair, and refinish your alloys to a factory standard — not a cosmetic cover-up.
That kerb scuff is costing you more than you think
You know the feeling. You misjudge a tight parking space, hear that horrible scraping sound, and get out to find a fresh gouge across your alloy. Or maybe it's been there for a while — a slow creep of corrosion that's been spreading under the lacquer since last winter.
Here's what most people don't realise: alloy damage doesn't stay static. Exposed aluminium oxidises within weeks of losing its protective coating. Road salt accelerates the process dramatically. What looks like a cosmetic issue in October can be deep structural pitting by March.
And when it comes to selling or part-exchanging your car, dealers know exactly what damaged alloys mean. They deduct £100–£200 per wheel from their offer — sometimes more on premium vehicles. A full set of four refurbished wheels at £300–£400 can recover £400–£800 in part-exchange value alone.
The question isn't whether to get them done. It's whether to do it now, before the damage spreads further.
Signs Your Alloys Need Attention
- Visible kerb scuffs or gouges on the rim face
- Corrosion bubbling or lifting the lacquer
- Dull, oxidised finish that won't clean up
- Paint chips exposing bare aluminium
- Pitting or cratering on the wheel surface
- Flaking or peeling clear coat
- Planning to sell or part-exchange the vehicle
What We Repair
Alloy wheel damage falls into three broad categories. Understanding which type you have determines the repair approach — and how urgently it needs addressing.
Kerb Rash
Most common damage
Scuffs and gouges from catching the kerb when parking. The aluminium alloy tears and deforms, leaving rough, oxidised edges that corrode further over time if left untreated.
Corrosion & Pitting
Environmental damage
Road salt, brake dust, and moisture attack the protective lacquer and eat into the alloy beneath. Once corrosion takes hold, it spreads under the surface coating invisibly until it breaks through.
Scuffs & Paint Chips
Surface-level damage
Minor surface damage from road debris, car park incidents, and everyday use. Left alone, chips expose bare metal to moisture and the oxidation process begins within weeks.
Our 5-Step Refurbishment Process
A proper refurbishment isn't a respray. It's a full strip-and-rebuild process that addresses the damage at its root, not just its surface.
Strip & Degrease
Every wheel is fully stripped of its existing paint, lacquer, and any corrosion. This is non-negotiable — applying new coating over old damage simply hides the problem temporarily.
Repair & Fill
Kerb damage is machined back, gouges are filled with specialist aluminium filler, and the surface is shaped to match the original wheel profile. This is where the skill lies.
Blast & Prime
Shot blasting removes any remaining surface contamination and creates a mechanical key for the primer. A high-build primer is applied and cured before any topcoat.
Powder Coat
Electrostatically charged powder is applied and cured at 200°C in an oven. The result is a finish that's significantly harder and more chip-resistant than conventional wet paint.
Lacquer & Inspect
A clear lacquer topcoat is applied for UV protection and gloss depth. Every wheel is inspected under workshop lighting before it leaves — no exceptions.
Why powder coating outperforms wet paint
Conventional wet paint is applied at room temperature and cures through solvent evaporation. Powder coating is electrostatically applied and cured at 200°C, creating a cross-linked polymer finish that bonds to the metal at a molecular level. The result is a coating that's 2–3 times harder than wet paint, significantly more resistant to stone chips, and far less susceptible to UV degradation. For wheels — which face constant abrasion, heat cycles, and chemical exposure — the difference in durability is substantial.
Transparent Pricing
All prices are for a full set of four alloy wheels, including strip, repair, powder coat, and lacquer. No hidden charges for standard kerb damage.
- Full strip and degrease
- Kerb damage repair
- Shot blast and prime
- Professional powder coating
- Clear lacquer topcoat
- Quality inspection
- Full strip and degrease
- Kerb damage repair
- Shot blast and prime
- Professional powder coating
- Clear lacquer topcoat
- Quality inspection
- Full strip and degrease
- Kerb damage repair
- Shot blast and prime
- Professional powder coating
- Clear lacquer topcoat
- Quality inspection
Diamond cut finishes and severe structural damage may incur additional charges. We'll always confirm the full cost before any work begins.
When to Book
Alloy damage rarely gets better on its own. These are the situations where acting sooner makes a measurable financial difference.
Kerb damage visible from 3 metres
Act soonExposed aluminium oxidises quickly. What starts as a surface scuff becomes deep pitting within a season of road salt exposure.
Corrosion bubbling under lacquer
Act nowOnce corrosion lifts the lacquer, moisture gets under the coating and spreads laterally. The longer you wait, the more metal is lost.
Selling or part-exchanging the car
Before valuationDealers deduct £100–£200 per damaged wheel from part-exchange offers. A £300 refurbishment on a set of four can recover £400–£800 in valuation.
Wheels looking faded or dull
When readyUV degradation of the lacquer is gradual but irreversible. Once the clear coat fails, the colour beneath oxidises and the wheel needs a full strip regardless.
The Most Expensive Mistake We See
Customers who use touch-up paint or DIY alloy repair kits to "tide them over" until they can afford a proper refurbishment. The problem is that these products seal moisture under the surface, accelerating corrosion beneath the repair. By the time they come to us, what would have been a standard refurbishment has become a significantly more complex job — and sometimes the wheel is beyond economic repair entirely. The £10 touch-up kit ends up costing £150 more in the final refurbishment bill.
How We Work
We don't do cosmetic cover-ups. Every wheel that comes through our workshop in Mitcham goes through the full five-step process — strip, repair, blast, coat, lacquer — regardless of how minor the damage looks on the surface.
The reason is straightforward: a refurbishment that doesn't address the underlying damage will fail within 12–18 months. The lacquer lifts, the corrosion returns, and the customer is back where they started — except now the damage is worse. We'd rather do the job properly once than have you back with a complaint.
We work on all alloy sizes from 16" to 22" and above, and we can match virtually any factory colour. If you want to change the colour entirely — a popular choice on BMW and Mercedes alloys — we can do that too.
Before any work begins, we'll inspect your wheels and give you a clear quote. No surprises when you come to collect.
Full strip — no shortcuts
Every wheel is stripped to bare metal before any repair or coating. We don't coat over existing damage.
Structural repair included
Kerb damage is machined and filled as standard. We don't just paint over gouges.
Oven-cured powder coat
Cured at 200°C for a finish that's 2–3x harder than wet paint and far more chip-resistant.
Colour matching & custom colours
We match any factory colour or can change to a new finish entirely — gloss, satin, or matte.
Our Work: Before & After
Drag the slider to compare results. Every wheel shown went through the full five-step process.
Complete wheel restoration — kerb damage repair and refinishing
Diamond cut alloy wheel restoration to showroom condition
Professional powder coating and refurbishment
Severe kerb damage repaired and refinished
Diamond cut alloy wheel repair — precision restoration
Ready to Restore Your Alloys?
Bring your car to our Mitcham workshop for a free inspection and quote. We serve customers across South London — Croydon, Tooting, Streatham, Sutton, and Wimbledon. Most refurbishments are completed within 2–3 working days.
IQ Tyres · Mitcham, South London · Mon–Sat 8am–6pm