Repairing alloy scratches + body chip

[aab203]

Hi,

The passenger side wheels have had a few runs in with curbs over the last few months (see attached pics). What would be the best (and economical) way to repair them?

Also, I noticed a chip on the rear of the car, which is a bit annoying. Any suggestions of how I can repair this too?

Thanks!

[tem]

Originally Posted by aab203

Hi,

The passenger side wheels have had a few runs in with curbs over the last few months (see attached pics). What would be the best (and economical) way to repair them?

Also, I noticed a chip on the rear of the car, which is a bit annoying. Any suggestions of how I can repair this too?

Thanks!

Can I suggest you contact your dealer.
They normally have a list of repairers, who do not charge premium rates and carry out excellent repairs.

tem.

[Quacker]

I agree. There are many companies that travel to dealers that specialise in alloy wheel refurb, small dent removal and sundry other services.

As far as the paint chip goes, I would just buy the touch-up paint at the dealership and apply it myself.
If it is a lease car that is to be replaced when three years of age, and particularly if its a contract hire car, then I would leave the wheels be until a few weeks or a couple of months before the car is swapped out. Its inevitable that it will collect more scrapes and dings over time and the important thing in these cases is to return a tidy car that will not be substantially penalised for rectification work at an inflated cost.

Even badly corroded and damaged alloy wheels can be refurbished to as-new by specialists for a reasonable cost.

[thesecretsanta]

I had a door length scratch and a couple of dents removed from my XC90 a few weeks ago by Stuart at Findlay Sprayworks ( www.findlaysprayworks.co.uk ) . Based near Epsom, but travel around.
Done a fantastic job, can't see anything's ever happened. Cost was well under half of what Volvo wanted to charge me, and he came and it did the work on our drive.
Would highly recommend, they're on checkatrade as well for more reviews

[AB-UK]

A few years ago I had two small trolley dings in the door of my Mk1 XC90.
Volvo dealer said it would cost £500+ for ding removal and respray - feathering in to the other panels etc., hence the expense.
Instead I used a "paintless dent repairer" who came to my home and repaired the dings on the drive. He was a perfectionist - when I thought it had been done completely, he said he wasn't satisfied and carried on.
The repair included polishing the area so that the paint scratch was covered. Absolutely no sign of ding or paint damage.
Cost - £40.

[familymangreg]

I have damage to the edge of one alloy. I tried a mobile alloy wheel repair chap who came out, but couldn't repair it as the wheels are diamond cut. He could have rubbed it down, strayed and lacquered, but he didn't recommend it as it wouldn't look right against the rest of the wheel. The choice now is to have the wheel repaired by a firm who have the machines to re-cut the wheel (more expensive than a standard repair), or have all wheels resprayed without the diamond cut finish. At this stage the former option is cheaper, but I'm going to live with it for now.

:wq

[aab203]

Thanks all

Area all the Volvo wheels diamond cut (I don't really know what this means!)? I have the 19" Momentum wheels (although on my Inscription).

Might give the Findlay Sprayworks people a look up as they might do my area.

I'm not that bothered about the wheels as I'm sure these are somewhat unavoidable (at least in London more so I guess) but being OCD, if the price is reasonable then I'll look into it.

The chip in the paint is annoying as I have no idea where it came from. I only noticed it when inspecting the car after returning on holiday (using valet service) and was about to complain they damaged the car only to notice it in the photos I took at drop-off!

[familymangreg]

Originally Posted by aab203

Thanks all

Area ll the Volvo wheels diamond cut (I don't really know what this means!)? I have the 19" Momentum wheels (although on my Inscription).

Might give the Findlay Sprayworks people a look up as they might do my area.

I'm not that bothered about the wheels as I'm sure these are somewhat unavoidable (at least in London more so I guess) but being OCD, if the price is reasonable then I'll look into it.

The chip in the paint is annoying as I have no idea where it came from. I only noticed it when inspecting the car after returning on holiday (using valet service) and was about to complain they damaged the car only to notice it in the photos I took at drop-off!

Referencing the Volvo price list and spec, momentum wheels are described as:

19" 10 Spoke Turbine Alloy Wheels with 235/55 Tyres

and Inscription as:

20" 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels (Diamond Cut/Light Grey) with 275/45 Tyres

So you are lucky, your wheels should be able to be fixed as a standard alloy repair.

In terms of what diamond cut wheels are, google puts it better than I:

"A small part of the actual alloy is machined off to create this finish. It is then lacquered over to prevent corrosion. You will be able to see if your wheel is diamond cut if on close inspection you see very fine lines created by the cutting machine and the appearance is very shiny."

Essentially, it gives the extra shiny finish.

:wq

[aab203]

Thanks. A potential further, unexpected, benefit of swapping my wheels then

[Philip Fisher]

You must have found some monster curbs to damage the 19in alloys. The tyres on mine really protrude and protect the wheel. I have been in and out of potholes. Up and down kerbs and into a very narrow multi story curving ramp in Sheffield where the wheels rubbed all the way up and 32k miles later I havent got a single scratch on any of my wheels......