Diamond cut refurb

[micky.]

My lovely AMG alloys had been refurbed before I bought my car a couple of years ago, but now even though I've never kerbed them, they've got quite a lot of white oxidation splodges around the outer edges and hub. I have a local place who I haven't used before (Star Alloys in Preston, who come well recommended) who said they could fully refurb them back to near factory condition for £380, which seemed fair. But they said the oxidation will come back in a couple of years, as the lacquer coat is never going to provide as much protection as paint, especially on the salty M6 in winter. They were happy to do the diamond cut finish, which costs more, and as they said, they get more repeat business from this finish as it doesn't last as long. But they recommended full powder coating instead, which has a longer guarantee and is £100 cheaper. I've agreed to this and I'm booked in later this week, but I'll miss the brilliant diamond cut finish. Any thoughts on this from anyone?

 

[dry run]

After second time refurb of diamond cut, I went down the painted route - never looked back!

 

[micky.]

After second time refurb of diamond cut, I went down the painted route - never looked back!

Very nice, they do look smart, nice callipers too. I’ve gone for gun metal to match the existing factory paint behind the diamond cut.

 

[harrye500]

Very nice! Dry Run where did you get your Calipers done?

 

[alexanderfoti]

It is true, but I also believe its down to the finish.

I recently had 4 wheels refurbed, that had a diamond cut rim.

I bought 2 of the wheels brand new, 7 years ago.
I had the remaining 2 refurbed to match the new wheels, at the same time.

When they went off for refurb, the new wheels had very little, if any, corrosion underneath the clear lacquer
The old wheels, that had been re-done were far worse.

but yes, a paint will last much longer than a diamond cut.

 

[s5tuart]

I had my wheels powder coated after experiencing the same as you with my wheels.
I personally think it looks better, but I would say that wouldn't I?
Mercedes Himalayan Grey. Very sparkly in the sun.

 

[EmilysDad]

very nice Stuart .... I do like the CLS estate shooting brake

 

[dry run]

Very nice! Dry Run where did you get your Calipers done?

They were done by my local bodyshop "Colourtech" in Portsmouhj. They did all 4 wheels, all 4 calipers (inc decals) removed the chrome side strips and fitted a "panamercana" grill (that I bought) for about £600 if I remeber correctly.

 

[SmartAmg]

Good choice, powder coating is much better, just go for the shiniest Silver they do, they'll look great.

 

[rorywquin]

I’ve been dithering for a while about getting mine done. 3 wheels are corroding around the hubs. Everything I’ve read or heard says that powder coating is the best option. I’ll probably look for a light gunmetal to match the paint currently on the wheels.

 

[s5tuart]

Good choice, powder coating is much better, just go for the shiniest Silver they do, they'll look great.

Mine are MB Himalayan Grey and I think they enhance my black car. I can't get the sparkle in a photo but if you slightly enlarge the pic you'll see all the little highlights which are actually sparkly in the sunshine

 

[s5tuart]

very nice Stuart .... I do like the CLS estate shooting brake

Thank you. Sadly not as practical as the E Class estate but much prettier in my opinion. It does me for what I need to carry around but my old W210 (T210?) had room inside for the Ark Royal!

 

[Benz17]

Visually is there that much difference between diamond cut, and powder coating.

I also have diamond cut turbine alloys, no corrosion on my 2017 car, but some kerb damage, car and wheels have been ceramic coated, and I wash the car myself, so no acid cleaner being sprayed on wheels, not sure if this prevents corrosion.

I am also getting the alloys refurbished, at lepsons, was going to go for diamond cut, but now having second thoughts, have some thinking to do.

Are just the face diamond cut.

 

[s5tuart]

Visually is there that much difference between diamond cut, and powder coating.

I also have diamond cut turbine alloys, no corrosion on my 2017 car, but some kerb damage, car and wheels have been ceramic coated, and I wash the car myself, so no acid cleaner being sprayed on wheels, not sure if this prevents corrosion.

I am also getting the alloys refurbished, at lepsons, was going to go for diamond cut, but now having second thoughts, have some thinking to do.

Are just the face diamond cut.

As far as I know the turbine wheels only have the rim and the flat face of the spokes diamond cut. The rest is painted I think.
I think my wheels look better powder coated but they were beginning to corrode in places. The one in your pic looks perfect so I'd be tempted to leave it until they start to corrode.

 

[Benz17]

Thanks for that, that picture was taken 2 years ago, all four does have some slight kerb damage, I am also in two minds at the moment to go ahead with refurb, as there is no corrosion.

These are the current pictures, what would others advise, wait until corrosion starts, or get them refurbished due to kerb damage.

 

[micky.]

Thanks for that, that picture was taken 2 years ago, all four does have some slight kerb damage, I am also in two minds at the moment to go ahead with refurb, as there is no corrosion.

These are the current pictures, what would others advise, wait until corrosion starts, or get them refurbished due to kerb damage.

They look fine to me, although your pics aren’t particularly hi res on my iPad. They look much better than mine do at the moment. The blokes at Star were pretty emphatic that diamond cutting will look amazing for a while, but wont last. Hence the powder coat has a two year warranty, while the diamond cut finish only has one year.

 

[Mr Greedy]

I had mine diamond cut around the first lockdown. That was a scorching 6 months, with very low working from home mileage and very dry weather.
Alloys were ceramic coated, washed carefully in the bath with PH neutral car shampoo. Dried, and they were waxed for good measure.
They still corroded in 6 or 7 months.
Diamond cut, especially refurb, just doesn't last, which is why lots of alloy refurb companies offer between 3 and 6 months on their work. The odd place offers 12 months. But you can only get them refurbed (cut) twice, so if it's the second time, you can get them redone under warranty any way.

Wish I'd just gone standard paint/powder coat.

 

[richlumb]

Freshly done diamond cut I’ve coated with Gtechnic C5 and given a coat of wheel wax on top the C5. Wheel was 4 1/2 years old and the only one to white from the laquer , so seal the wheel and wax a couple of times a year and they will last longer than expected

 

[JBell]

Powder Coat them in "Hi-Power Silver" (Unless you are changing the colour), the marbling is a result of chips in the lacquer followed by water ingress.

The UK climate is too damp for Diamond Cut wheels

 

[rorywquin]

Powder Coat them in "Hi-Power Silver" (Unless you are changing the colour), the marbling is a result of chips in the lacquer followed by water ingress.

The UK climate is too damp for Diamond Cut wheels

Presumably designed in a country with a climate similar to ours.