Alloy Rim Refurbishment
Alloy rim refurbishment brings damaged wheels back to a clean finish without buying new ones. Kerb scuffs are filled and smoothed, old paint or lacquer is removed where it has failed, and the rim is painted and sealed. It is a cosmetic job, with a separate check for any structural damage.
From AED 349per rimWritten quote after diagnosis, before work startsConvenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- 1-3 days, depending on the damage and the colour or finish
- Pickup and delivery from your door
- Convenience fee applicable · shown on your written quote
- Diagnosis free with repair
How we do alloy rim refurbishment
- 1
Inspect and decide
We remove the tyres, then check each rim for cracks and runout on a balancing machine. A badly cracked rim is not refurbished, and we tell you so on the quote.
- 2
Strip and repair
Old paint is removed, usually by chemical stripping or blasting, and the bare metal is cleaned. Gouges are filled or welded where appropriate, then sanded to shape.
- 3
Prime, colour and lacquer
The rim is primed, painted in your chosen colour and sealed with a clear coat. It is cured before handling, so the finish hardens properly.
- 4
Refit and balance
New valves are fitted, tyres are mounted and each wheel is balanced and checked for air leaks. The wheels go back on the car with the nuts torqued to the maker's figure.
Signs it is time
- Kerb scrapes along the outer lip of one or more wheels
- Lacquer peeling or bubbling in patches, with bare metal showing underneath
- White, chalky corrosion around the valve and the bead seat
- Brake dust burnt into the finish so it no longer wipes off
- A slow air leak that returns after you inflate the tyre
- A wish to change the rim colour, for instance from silver to black or graphite
What usually causes it
Kerb and pothole contact
The rim edge hits a kerb while parking and the paint and metal are scraped off. Bare aluminium then oxidises, which spreads under the surrounding lacquer.
Lacquer failure
The clear coat on a wheel is thin. Heat, harsh wheel cleaners and sand blasted at speed cause it to lift, and moisture creeps underneath.
Corrosion at the tyre bead
Where the tyre seals against the rim, corrosion forms a rough surface. Air can seep through the roughness, giving the slow leak many drivers see on one wheel.
Bent or cracked rims
A hard hit can bend the rim or crack it. These are safety faults, and are checked before any cosmetic work is done.
In Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman
Rims run hot here, and brake dust baked onto them by summer heat eats into lacquer faster than people expect. A wheel sealant after refurbishment makes later cleaning easier. Low-profile tyres on city roads and tight car parks also mean kerb damage is among the most common cosmetic faults we see.
Questions about alloy rim refurbishment
Is refurbishing cheaper than replacing the rim?
Usually, especially for premium or large-diameter wheels. We give you the repair figure on the quote, and a replacement can be sourced for comparison if you wish.
Can you change the colour of the wheels?
Yes. Common choices are silver, gunmetal, gloss black and matte black. We can match the original finish or paint a new one, but diamond-cut faces need a specific machine.
Will the repair weaken the rim?
Cosmetic filling and painting do not. A rim that is cracked or bent is a safety matter and is assessed first. We will not paint over damage that makes a wheel unsafe.
Do I need to bring the wheels in?
You can, or we can take the whole car with pickup and delivery. The wheels go back on the car before delivery.
How long will the new finish last?
With normal care it holds up well. Avoid harsh acid wheel cleaners, and wash off brake dust regularly. A sealant protects the finish further.
Last updated
Get a written quote
Tell us about your car. You get an itemised quote before any work starts, and you choose OEM, aftermarket or used parts.