Alloy wheel
 

Hello and thank you for reading this message.

One of my 2006 V50 alloy wheels needs replacing. The tyre keeps going down, near brand new tyre and re-tested by Kwik Fit. Also happened with the previous tyre. Kwik Fit suggest that the alloy wheel of that age has a coating that wears away leading to air escaping slowly.

I am searching for a second hand wheel. Please see attached photo. The logo in the middle of the wheel is blue compared to quite a few that have a black central logo.

Where would be the best place to look? BreakersYard appears to have been swamped by retailers selling new parts instead of quotes coming from scrap yards.

Thank you for your help.

There's normally a few going on eBay, although there's nothing to say they won't suffer from the same problem.
Have you looked into getting it reconditioned?

As far as I'm aware, the logo in the middle is just a cap that you can push out and swap into a new wheel, so don't worry if you find one with a slightly different colour.

Thank you for your reply.

There are a few on ebay with tyres so there is at least some confidence that the wheel is still ok.

What happens with wheel conditioning? Where would I get that done and is there a broad cost estimate? The second hand wheels on ebay are about £65.

Thank you.

I believe they strip them, prime and then repaint and apply a protective top coat. Probably slightly more expensive than getting a second hand one, but atleast you know it'll last.

I appreciate this is not near you, but here's a link to a company that explains the process (I've never used them and have no affiliation):

http://jpalloys.co.uk/services/alloy-refurbishment/

£100 quid a wheel to do properly most places. Don't get just one done though as car will look like it's been in an accident. If you're not doing all 4, just buy a second hand wheel. The coating argument is 'true' but also somewhat bull****. as they can scrub it back and use plenty of adhesive and it will give a seal. More likely, if the above hasn't worked, there maybe a fisure(hairline crack) in the alloy. So I'd want another wheel anyway.

Thank you for the replies.

I used a company/franchise called 'The Wheel Specialist' and had all 4 of my 15 year old wheels acid dipped, powder coated and baked for £360.00 they look superb now and NEVER leak any air.

With leaky alloys; a small friendly tyre place should spend a bit of time cleaning up the 'bead' on the inner rims with a flap-wheel and paint a thin coating of rubberised sealant around the bead - then fit the tyre - I've had good success with this sealing leaky wheels in the past.

As above, just tell a different tyre place as Kwik fit are crap your problem and they will clean the rim and apply a bead sealer.