Nick525DSport

Hello all, I am based in the UK, just had all 4 wheels refurbed for ?53 inc VAT which sounded like a bragain, however I am really disapointed with the finish, the wehhls are 172 19" and like 99% of BMW genuine alloys should have a really shiny clearcoat finish, however where they have sprayed them thay actually feel slightly matt, I would not say rough but definitely not smooth, they are not pitted just not shiny, anyone had theirs done with a similar result?

I am going to have trouble getting the dealer to accept they are not up to standard as they said they will never be as good as factory spec, I accept this but these are WAY off, not even close, I could look at 5 year old ones that have a better finish, I wanted them to be shiny as they look better and are easier to clean.
Any thoughts?

littlemouse

Any way of getting any pics showing the finish?

Nick525DSport

Sorry bot its dark her in the UK now and cannot upload at the moment anyway, as an example its like comparing high gloss trim to aluminium brushed steel, but not quite as bad!

noonehome

I've not had good luck with wheel repair from the dealer. Ultimately I removed the wheels and took them to someone who dismounted the tires, stripped the existing finish and powder coated them. It cost about $125 per wheel but they look like new.

TranPlan

I think the 172s use a special bright silver paint. This paint is not available in the US due to it containing lead.

Several years ago, I had some style 32s on a 1999 540 sport (which used the same bright silver paint) refurbished by the BMW dealer (actually, they send it out for repair). The results on my wheels sounds like what you are describing.

You may be able to get the right paint in the UK, but it does not seem like they used it. I think it is called "brilliant silver".

Good luck.

Dav530d

I've been looking for this paint for a while, interested in the outcome...

Nick525DSport

Well guys I went back to the dealer and they had another go today by machine polishing them, it made a reasonable difference, then when I got home I dit it again myself using Menzerna final finish polish with a DA polisher, this made a big difference, then I waxed and used auto glym to seal them and they are about 90% shiny with a few areas where the paint will not come up but overall look pretty good but a lot of extra work but still not like new.

I think whoever said powder coating is right and thats the only way to get them back to original spec, by stripping chemically and then powder coating the whole wheel which I will get done next time. I just expect the dealer to offer this service as they seem to manage with the cars the sell used to have them mint!