Alloy Refurbishment

996 comrades! I've put a post up in the general discussion area about Alloy Refurbishment as I thought it was more of a general discussion topic - that said the specifics of my post are about getting the 18" sports design (GT3 style) alloys refurbed from my 996 C2 Cab. I'd welcome any comments - ideally on the original thread but however will do. http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=119212 (that's an attempt at a hotlink to original thread but I'm about web-literate as your average giraffe!)[ ] Much appreciated.

This is from the suppliers page of the FAQ section. Not all these will handle Sport Design split rims, but would be worth calling: Wheel Refurbishment: Wicked Wheels (National): http://www.wickedwheels.co.uk Specialised Paintwork (Reading "" R19): http://www.specialisedpaintwork.com Cool-It (R26): http://www.coolitautomotive.com/ Elite Wheels & Tyres (Reading - R19): http://www.elitewheels.co.uk Pristine Alloys (Milton Keynes): http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk Diamond Styling (Sevenoaks, Kent): Tel - (01732) 779100

Understand Diamond Styling are good. Not used them, but a friend did to get the magnesium alloys for his 930 restored. Not cheap (about £250/corner), but they did a very good job.

Another option would be to get some exchange ones already refurbed from someone like Jasmine Porschalink.

Just had mine done ,but they did not split them I was advised not to get then split as bolts can come loose ,I am happy enough as I paid only £220 for all four .I was going to PX them for after market ones from Jasmine they only offered £250 and I had protential sales for them on PH at over £500 as they where ,but deceided just to keep them and get them painted as I said for what I paid I am happy enough ,most companies charge about £200 a corner to split and refurb PS I am in Glasgow so possibly not a option for you

Thanks for all of the feedback guys ...I am sure I will get things organised with the help of that information. Contrary to others I have been advised to get the rims split. The reason given was that the newly lacquered rim would be heat cured and that the heat would have a detrimental effect on the "loctite -type " material used with the bolts.....this ultimately resulting in bolts becoming loose etc. Which rumour /story is to be believed??[&:] My motive in having them split was purely to make a good job of it in that all of the corrosion seems to originate from the joint face and by just overpainting etc its bound to reappear. So far I have had quotes of £300 for splitting/diamond turning/lacquering and upto £950 for the same thing but the work carried out in Germany ....both the above for 4no wheels......will post details of the finished job when complete.

Paid £800 for mine including vat, all 4 wheels split, 1 repair, all 4 diamond cut + centers sprayed & tyres off then new fitted back on afterwards 100% perfect job

Kitchens and Blade any before and after pics? Anyone any infor on Jasmines Refurbished wheels? I wonder doesn the original centre cap be a perfect match to the new spray paint on refurbs?

Blade, who carried out the work for you ? Has anybody had their wheels customised?......eg. wheel centres paint as per body colour with poloshed rims?[ ]

Just got my Sport Design wheels back from Specialized Paintwork jsut behind Reading OPC. £540 for all four, very good job. Timely and professional I did a lot of research looking for someone to do the wheels and experience with these wheels is everything. Very happy with the service and end result. Cheers Stu

Stu can we see some pics?

I can do this for you. Have a look here

I haven't taken any pictures yet. Before they had several slight scuffs & some of the paint was bubbling on the spokes. Now you would not tell they were not brand new. I have a brand new rear & the refurbed wheels look identical. Noel from cool-it (R26) got them sorted for me as they had to be split & sent to 2 different places, he uses a good tyre man who put the new tyres on for me as well I got them back rubbered up & ready to roll

Nick, looks good - what sort of cost are you looking at for all 4?

Sorry not up to how to post on the site but if you give me your emails i could sent before and after pics .mine where really bad esp the rears .as I said before for what I paid happy with the results splitting the rim will always give a better result but a bit unsure of the problems that could have had to be fair the rims are only put back on at about 20 lb ft and your wheels are 96 lb ft so I guess your rims could loosen off easier ,sory not tec could be talking through a hole in my head

I think the main question you need to ask yourself is do you want the rims polished & anodised or re-diamond cut & lacquered ??? obviously polished is cheaper but I wanted them to look like new originals, which they do [ ]

That wheel looks very impressive Nick. You wouldn't by chance have a shot of a 996 with black centered wheels all round?

Hi, need to resurrect this thread as I'd like any views on the quality of the refurbished wheels (GT3 / Sport Design) from Jasmine. My dilemma I'm sure is a common one: if I could get my hands on a loan set of alloys, then I'd probably opt to have my original wheels refurbed by Pristine Alloys. However, I can't (get a loan set) therefore I'm considering the p/x option, which basically means taking my car to Jasmine, they take off my wheels, remove the tyres, refit them to a refurbed set of alloys, balance them and fit them back on to my car. Drive in, drive out within an hour (ish) - no waiting for 10 days to get my wheels back. Car instantly transformed = BIG smile [ ] Finances: Pristine (via a local agent) are quoting £145 +VAT to refurb each wheel (total = £681.50); Jasmine are quoting £600 +VAT for their service (total = £705). The solution offered by Jasmine is the way I feel I should go. My only reservation is "how good is their refurb" (isn't that the million $ question!). To their credit, they have been doing this 1998 so you'd assume they'd have the whole process sorted by now... (But Confucius say...."man who assume make an ass out of u and me ...") Thanks, Neil.

Neil, Obviously you get to see the Jasmine wheels before they fit them? So you can walk away? I just bough a set of refurbished 18" turbo tech wheels from Jasmine, to replace my GT3 alloys, which by chance are perfect!, I just always liked the 5 spoke turbos! I had major concerns with the quality and Brian in Jasmine was very chilled and relaxed about his quality, however it was no refund if not happy and as I am in Ireland I had to buy first ship then see them, he kindly took some digital shots and emailed them in high quality. Told me 5 OPC's buy refurbished wheels off him, and that after 9 years doing it they have it as sorted as it can be. Still I worried cause I couldn't see them first. Finally bit the bullet as I was changing to Michelin Pilot Sports, bought 4 wheels, and 7mm spacers, and new nuts thrown in by Brian, they arrived to me in Ireland packed in individual boxed in bubble wrap, and now bare in mind people have said I am an anal fussy fecker!, I found them to be grade A the silver paint matches my centre caps perfectly, a big issue before hand, and the rims and paint, and top coat all where flawless. I was very happy with Brian and the wheels. They totally give the car uplift to. I will change the rear spacers to 15mm soon as I love the subtle new way the rims match the wheel arches, but the back ones could go a little wider yet still not look butch. I also bought 285 tyres with rim protectors for the back as opposed to stock 265, these look much better. No issues with the arches. I had the wheels balance 3 times afterwards, final balance from OPC on OPC approved balancing machine removed all shimmy's (had one between 100 -105 mph, on the track your honour!) I will try to upload pics but may just email them to Richard for him to do it. Edit: Pictures added

Cheers for the endorsement. As you say, I can always walk away if I'm unhappy with the wheels that they offer me...

Sheffield Metal Polishing Co Ltd did a great job on my Sports Designs. They didn't split them, but they do look very good. It cost £246 for all 4, including balancing. Few people will want to split them due to the risk of damaging them.

Having raised this thread a couple of months ago thought I would post the final chapter. Decided to go with Jasmine ...convenient goegraphically, sharp price (£140 per corner), no waiting (typically 5/10 days) and recommended by another potential supplier. Yesterday they fitted 4 refurbished Sport Classic 2 wheels......job took one hour and in every way a first class service. The wheels that went on had clearly been split for the work to be carried out...the outer diamond turned, the inners re-enamelled. By my own admission I am a huge fussy a*se when it comes to the car but I can say that the new wheels are much better than the originals that came with the car from my OPC. Happy to supply before /after pics to anyone interested.

I would be very interested in before and after pics please if you could post them up - or email them? Many thanks

Seconded.

I will try and post them here on Fri...could be touch and go as I haven't done that before lol....any problems and I will email.

many thanks indeed - might get mine done soon