Can Corroded Alloy Wheels Be Refurbished?

What Corrosion on an Alloy Wheel Actually Is

Alloy wheels are protected by their finish. Once that finish is broken - by a kerb, a stone chip, a poor previous repair, or simply age - moisture reaches the metal underneath. What follows is a white or grey powdery oxidation that spreads out beneath the lacquer.

That is why it so often looks like the lacquer is lifting rather than like rust. The damage is happening under the clear coat, which is also why wiping it does nothing.

Where It Starts

Around kerb damage, because the finish is already broken there. Along the rim edge where the tyre seats, which is why a slow puncture can be an early warning. Around the valve. Behind the spokes where brake dust sits and never gets washed off.

And on the inner faces, which almost nobody looks at. It is worth getting down and looking at the inside edge of a wheel occasionally, particularly on a car that has done a few winters.

When It Can Be Refurbished

When it is in the finish and the surface of the metal, which is the great majority of what we see. The corrosion is removed, the wheel is prepared properly and a new finish goes on.

The important part is that it has to come out, not be covered. A finish applied over corrosion will lift, usually within a season, and then you are paying twice.

When It Cannot

When it has gone beyond cosmetic. Corrosion that has eaten into the bead seat so the tyre will not seal reliably, or that has gone deep enough to affect the structure of the wheel, is not a refurbishment job.

We do not repair cracked or buckled wheels, and a wheel that has corroded to the point of being structurally doubtful belongs in the same category. We will tell you if that is what you have rather than making it look better and handing it back.

The Slow Puncture Clue

If a wheel keeps losing pressure and no puncture can be found in the tyre, corrosion at the bead seat is a common cause. The tyre is not sealing against a pitted rim.

That is worth knowing because it turns an annoyance into a diagnosis. If a tyre fitter has told you they cannot find anything wrong with the tyre, the wheel is the next thing to look at.

Stopping It Coming Back

Deal with kerb damage when it happens rather than in two years, because broken finish is where it starts. Wash the wheels regularly, including the inner faces and behind the spokes, especially over winter when the roads are salted.

And when you do have them refurbished, have it done properly rather than covered over. The work is guaranteed for a year, which is a commitment we could not make if we were painting over the problem.