Hey guys. You may have read another thread I posted where my brand new set of Weds SA55M wheels were damaged during install.

The installer is pushing for a local shop to do a repair on them. I went over to talk with them and it sounds like the plan is to completely repaint the wheels.

Have you guys ever done this? I assume the wheel finish is then pretty fragile? The last thing I want is to have to have them repainted every time I swap tires (often for an Evo), but I suspect that's exactly what will happen. Especially on a 1 week old set of wheels.

Original thread here:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...hin-paint.html

 

Paint? Umnnnn no that will not last.

Powdercoating is the correct way to get a lasting/durable color on wheels.

 

Sandblasting would ruin the machined parts of the wheel. I'm not an expert, but I don't think powdercoating is an option on these. Color matching is always difficult when working with powder as well.

 

I think that's the only choice, they are probably painted to begin with.
My question is, how are they going to match the paint?

I've coated wheels, and never had a problem when having tires installed here locally.
There are special machines that are used as not to damage the finish on wheels like yours. Basically there is no "metal to metal" contact like on regular machines, the metal parts have rubber to avoid damaging wheel finishes.
Now I've had customers take wheels to be installed elsewhere and they have issues with chips/scratches.

Sandblasting won't ruin anything and will actually be MUCH better.
What they'll probably end up doing is just scuffing up the wheels and recoating them, might last for a while but not too long.
Absolute best way to have them refinished would be to sand blast them, then paint them.

 

I am no paint expert but wheel paint should not chip off when you're putting on a new set of tires. I question the carefulness of the tire installer.

You should get the paint code of the wheels from the manufacturer. Then find a good painter. A proper paint job is key.

 

if i remember your pictures correctly the damage wasn't TOO TOO bad.. i'd see if they can spot paint or touch it up.. Painting the whole wheel would be a negative for me. OR if it doesn't bug you that much ask the guy for 500 bucks and call it a day.

 

I hate when people damage your things then tell you how they are going to fix it... I would probably not get the whole rim repainted risking them looking like complete crap on account of the scratches. I say put the center caps on and call it a day!

 

I have the SA-55M BBM also and they do chip very easily. The tire place I took them to mount and balance was super careful and only scrated a little on the back on the machine but just a small amount. From me having to move them around a few times they chipped on the face. The chips are small but the paint is thin.

I am hoping powder coating is a good option in the future as I was planning on doing that when I get the car painted in a few years if I still have it.

 

I would get a wheel cap and be done with it.

 

These wheels have bare machined satin-finish alloy showing in every other spoke. If they sandblasted the wheels, they'd have to craft some kind of tool to machine these areas out again.

I do have the center caps, which I had just planned to install along with some kind of search for a matching touch-up paint. But the shop that did it is essentially saying either I have them fully repainted or get nothing for the damage they did. I'm still pushing for them to just refund the mount/balance/alignment cost, but we'll see...

 

Dont let them repaint the whole thing. If the damage is *that bad* on the wheel, then have them replace the wheel (they arent all that expensive to start with). If they refuse to (make sure and find out the cost difference just to prove a point because painting isnt cheap), make the paint shop repair it with color matched paint and only use the paint on the chips, then have them reclear the wheel and sand/buff it. If they attempt to repaint the whole wheel, your blue inlay wont look right and nothing on your wheel will match the other 3.

 

I agree with you that just getting them to refund the alignment/mounting costs is the least they could do. I would NOT have them repaint them. If they are willing to pay for repainting, I don't see why they wouldn't refund you labor costs, especially if they are a reputable shop worried about their name getting tarnished.