Hi. A tire shop did some minor damage to the clearcoat of my polished aluminum wheels. Ferret II is a '95 MTX SE (so the V-6) with the nice seven-spoke brushed aluminum wheels with the insides painted a darker, soft grey. Very pretty wheels. Here's a link that's pretty close to what type of wheel they are: http://seattle.awrswheelrepair.com/gallery.html
The damage done is fairly minor (from weights they weren't supposed to put on the outside), and there's already curb rash and dings here and there, but they're willing to cover haivng the wheels clear-coated since it was made very clear they weren't to put weights outside. I would pay the cost of curb rash, etc., the repairs prior to the clear-coat going on.
Is it a good idea to do this or would I best stick to factory-finished wheels? I don't mind how they look too much as they are, and the tire shop would give me a break of about $90 toward the tires I bought.
I did go by a wheel-repair shop, and they said they could only paint the aluminum (a "soft dusting" of paint), after taking off the clearcoat. I don't think I want them painted; I like the pure alloy look, and that place only offers a year warranty. There's a place that would refinish without painting (Seattle - Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists), but they're a national franchise that works out of a large truck. For some reason that makes me a little nervous; also, I can only find one review about them on the web. (The link above is to their website.)
What do you think? Is refinishing with Seattle AWRS is a good idea? They have a lifetime warranty, but my gut's saying maybe it's better not to have this done and to take the price break and move on.
I've put off the decision and should probably call the Tire shop today (Friday) or they may rescind all offers.
Thanks! Lynn
The damage done is fairly minor (from weights they weren't supposed to put on the outside), and there's already curb rash and dings here and there, but they're willing to cover haivng the wheels clear-coated since it was made very clear they weren't to put weights outside. I would pay the cost of curb rash, etc., the repairs prior to the clear-coat going on.
Is it a good idea to do this or would I best stick to factory-finished wheels? I don't mind how they look too much as they are, and the tire shop would give me a break of about $90 toward the tires I bought.
I did go by a wheel-repair shop, and they said they could only paint the aluminum (a "soft dusting" of paint), after taking off the clearcoat. I don't think I want them painted; I like the pure alloy look, and that place only offers a year warranty. There's a place that would refinish without painting (Seattle - Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists), but they're a national franchise that works out of a large truck. For some reason that makes me a little nervous; also, I can only find one review about them on the web. (The link above is to their website.)
What do you think? Is refinishing with Seattle AWRS is a good idea? They have a lifetime warranty, but my gut's saying maybe it's better not to have this done and to take the price break and move on.
I've put off the decision and should probably call the Tire shop today (Friday) or they may rescind all offers.
Thanks! Lynn