Ceramic Polishing

Full factory refurbishment process

Step 1

Removing the wheels from a vehicle

If we have the car on site it will be parked within our secure premises for the duration of the repair. The other option is that spare wheels are temporally fitted so that the car can stay on the road.

Step 2

Removing the tyres, weights & valves

The tyres are removed from the wheels and marked for precision & rotation, and tagged with the customer’s name. (If we spot unsafe tyres we will draw this to your attention. We reserve the right to refuse to refit tyres which are deemed to be unsafe.We then remove all balance weights, valves & sensors (if required).

Step 3

Stripping previous paintwork, grime & dirt

The wheel is then dipped in a special chemical solution to strip away the existing finish and break all dust. After a few hours , the entire wheel is fully stripped back to bare aluminium.

Step 4

Shot blasting - further cleaning of the wheel

The wheel is then sandblasted in a special blasting cabinet for more cleaning, corrosion removal and this also prepares the surface .

Step 5

Wheel inspection

Once the wheel is fully cleaned it is much easier to see if there are any cracks or structural damage. The wheels are then tested on a balancing machine to check for any bends or buckles. At this stage , we will notify you if there is any damage to the wheel deemed to be dangerous, and advise if the wheel can be repaired and if any extra repair cost is involved.

Step 6

Structural repairs - straightening, welding (if required)

We have advanced techniques in the straightening of bent, buckled, dented or cracked alloy wheels. The refurbishment is not always necessary when straightening the wheel. If the damage is only small and on the inside of the rim, then we can repair just that area rather than the full refurbishment.

Step 7

Preparing kerbed surface for polishing

The next step is selective machining to remove all kerb damage from the surface of the wheel. If the damage is very deep it can be filled with aluminium and welded to return it to its original shape.

Step 8

Ceramic polishing

The wheel is than placed in a special polishing machine this process can take from few hours to few days this depends on how good or bad is the alloy wheel surface.

Step 9

Applying powder coat lacquer

A final clear coat is applied to protect the surface from the corrosion.

Step 10

Tyre fitting & balancing

Once the wheel is repaired we fit new rubber valves (if the wheels had metal valves or sensors these are re-fitted as before).

The tyre is then refitted to the wheel and balanced using weights stuck to the inside of the wheel.

Step 11

Fitting wheels to the car

The wheels are fitted to the car and final checks are carried out including tyre pressure and wheel bolt torque and tightening.