Diamond cut - Fit for purpose?

dry run

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I currently have AMG diamond cut alloys (18"). However, I'm wondering if D/C alloys are fit for purpose given our UK climate and road conditions.

I have owned my car for just under a year and although the alloys were perfect when I bought the car (believe me I looked), I have had to have 2 of them re-furbed due to no fault of my own (no curbing or strong cleaning products).

My previous E class had 19" wheels (painted) and save for some carelesss kerbing, I never had to have them re-furbed in the 4.5 years that I owned it.

Any thoughts?
 

KennyN

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DC alloys are a waste of time on our salt covered roads , mine on the CLS were refurbished at three years old (18K) and were needing done again two years later. At £100 per alloy for a refurb i didn`t bother and just sold them and went for a new larger set for £500 that weren`t DC.

The ones on the BM are still holding out fine at two years old but i fear it is just a matter of time before the white worm starts , and when it does they will be getting coated as some of the new types of , shadow chrome, finishes are quite nice.

K
 

Craiglxviii

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No not really. Too many collapsed verges, too many potholes.
 

Rory

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One of my kids had a cheap special edition Golf and oddly that had diamond cut alloys. Amazingly she didn't kerb them and the finish started to go just under 3yrs old, but VW refused to replace them, despite forums saying others had had them replaced.

I'd intended to get them powder coated but the car got rear ended and written off. She decided on a SEAT Ateca to replace it - that had diamond cut wheels too! Then the dealer offered us a "WLTP" special model, and that had powder coated wheels, so I jumped at it.
 

malcolm E53 AMG

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The main problem with diamond cut wheels and lacquer deterioration is the use of ‘hand car washes’ they tend to use aggressive wheel cleaners. You will always get some deterioration due to use ie stone chips etc but if you keep them waxed it helps. Any brush with a kerb will always cause damage so take care when parking, those are my rules and generally it works
 

Blobcat

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As per above, no
 

Craiglxviii

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vtaylor78

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Am I right in saying you can only have DCs refurbished twice ?
 

Blobcat

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You could get them powder coated
 

A.J.

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Even my powder coating needs re-doing after just two years. :( Mind you I am very fussy ! :rolleyes:
 

Frosty149

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My new (to me) E coupe has 19” d/c’s and I’ve just had them refurbed in all black, however, there is so little tyre side wall, I’ve already (a week!) damaged two rims.
My previous coupe had 18” same d/c’s and lasted well.

I’m thinking of going back to 18’s tbh.
 

JBell

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No not really. Too many collapsed verges, too many potholes.

Throw in the fact lacquer on any edge is far too thin and the slightest chip anywhere will let moisture in and lift the lacquer giving the marbled effect

Even my powder coating needs re-doing after just two years. :( Mind you I am very fussy ! :rolleyes:

Wasn't a good job then, powdercoat should last many years

Am I right in saying you can only have DCs refurbished twice ?

Yes as when they do it the lathe takes some material off, after that you have to either spray or powdercoat them
 

vtaylor78

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I’m also in to 2 1/2 years of powder coating, and I’m not entirely happy with them.
Thinking of having them re-done at a different place.
 

noonboots

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Bare metal needs to be etch primed in order for paint to "stick" properly. Etch primer contains acid that eats into the surface of the metal and cannot peel off. Lacquer alone will never last long on bare metal. Hence the problems with diamond cut wheels.
 

John Laidlaw

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Am I right in saying you can only have DCs refurbished twice ?
Indeed that is correct ( depending how much the repairer skims off you might get 3 at a push) as above prep and powder is the best option
 

LesTaylor

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I’ve always liked the idea of fully chromed wheels, I think my wheels would look great chromed, but I’m guessing the cost and the longevity of the finish are alway questionable...oh what to do as my wheels are in need of attention...
 

noonboots

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I’ve always liked the idea of fully chromed wheels, I think my wheels would look great chromed, but I’m guessing the cost and the longevity of the finish are alway questionable...oh what to do as my wheels are in need of attention...
Look into getting them hydro dipped. Might be a cheaper option.
 

LesTaylor

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Look into getting them hydro dipped. Might be a cheaper option.

I’ve not thought of that, I will look into it...I’m not a lover of colours on wheels, black wheels in particular do nothing for me, but each to their own...
 

Craiglxviii

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I’m actually considering having my diamond cut wheels refurbed “clean” then powder coated in dark silver.
 
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