How Much Does It Cost to Refurbish Alloy Wheels?

Alloy wheels can make your car look great and perform brilliantly. But, over time, they are susceptible to wear, tear, and damage from everything from kerbs and potholes to the weather. You can restore the appearance and performance of alloy wheels by refurbishing them, but will this really save you the expense of buying new ones?

Here, we’ll take a look at the average cost of refurbishing alloy wheels, key influencing factors, tips for picking the right service, and more.

In This Guide:

How much does alloy wheel refurbishment cost?
Factors that influence refurbishment costs
Different types of alloy wheel refurbishment
Can you refurbish alloy wheels yourself?
How to choose the right alloy wheel refurbishment service
Is alloy wheel refurbishment worth it?
Protect your refurbished wheels with the right insurance
FAQs

How much does alloy wheel refurbishment cost?

Let's get straight to the main question: how much to refurbish alloy wheels?

Well, the cost of alloy wheel refurbishment can vary widely depending on the method, the extent of damage, and your location. But we can get closer to useful figures by looking at some broad averages:

Average costs by refurbishment type

In general terms, when you book your wheels in for refurbishment, you can expect to pay around:

£40–£60 per wheel for minor cosmetic repairs
£60–£100 per wheel for powder coating
£90–£150 per wheel for diamond cutting
£70–£120 per wheel for structural repair or welding

Price per wheel vs full set pricing

If you book all four wheels in for alloy wheel refurbishment, you might be eligible for a bulk discount. For example, a diamond cut refurbishment might cost £120 per wheel if you get them refurbished individually, but only £400 if you get the full set done at the same time. So, it's always worth asking if full-set pricing is an option.

Cost differences by region and garage type

Where you book your wheels in for refurbishment can make a surprising amount of difference to how much you pay. For example, vehicle repair services, including alloy wheel refurbishment, tend to be a lot more expensive if you live in London or the South East. So, if you live in these regions, then — even when factoring in petrol expenses — it could be worth your while to drive to another region to get your wheels done. However, bear in mind that not all regional garages will be cheaper, so make sure to get a quote when booking your appointment.

Factors that influence refurbishment costs

To narrow down your potential alloy wheel refurbishment cost even further, let's take a look at some of the factors that influence the cost of refurbishing alloy wheels:

Wheel size and style

Larger wheels and those with intricate designs tend to cost more to refurbish due to the extra time and materials involved.

Type of damage

Minor scuffs and scratches are cheaper to repair than bent or cracked alloys, which may require welding, a suitable alloy wheel filler, or specialist work.

Finish

Standard silver finishes are the most affordable. Custom finishes like gloss black, gunmetal, or bespoke colour matching can increase the cost.

Mobile vs in-garage service

Mobile refurbishers are very convenient, which can make them more expensive. Meanwhile, in-garage services may offer more thorough repairs and equipment options, as they usually have all the requisite tools and parts close at hand.

Different types of alloy wheel refurbishment

Alloy wheel refurbishment costs can vary depending on the type of work you want done. Let's take a look at some of the more common services offered by refurbishers:

Cosmetic touch-up

This is perfect for surface-level alloy wheel damage, such as scuffs and light scratches. Cosmetic touch-ups usually involve sanding down the affected area, repainting, and lacquering to a smooth finish. The process is fast, often taking less than an hour per wheel. This is also usually the most cost-effective way of refurbishing alloy wheels. However, it's not effective for more severe alloy wheel damage.

Powder coating

This is a more comprehensive process, in which wheels are stripped, sandblasted, coated in powder paint, and then heat-treated. The result is a durable, uniform finish that resists corrosion.

Diamond cutting

Diamond cutting involves using a lathe to 'cut' the face of the wheel to create a high-shine, metallic finish on the alloy wheel. This provides a premium look, but it can only be done a limited number of times, as the process removes a layer of metal each time.

Welding or structural repair

This kind of service is good when alloy damage includes cracking or bending. Welding and structural repairs can be complex to accomplish and require expert handling. The service provider should test your wheels for structural integrity both before and after the repair.

Can you refurbish alloy wheels yourself?

In theory, you can refurbish your alloy wheels yourself if you have the knowledge, skills, and resources to do so. However, it's best to properly learn how to do it before you get to work on your wheels — otherwise, you might cause additional surface damage or even compromise the structural integrity of your wheel set.

DIY kits: are they worth it?

You can buy DIY alloy wheel refurbishment kits for between £20–£40. They typically include filler, sandpaper, primer, paint, paint stripper, and lacquer. It's worth noting that while these kits can help with minor surface damage, they rarely give the kind of results you'd see if you opted for a professional alloy wheel refurbishment service.

Risks and common mistakes

A bad DIY repair could reduce the value of your car or even compromise safety. Here's what to watch out for:

Incorrect sanding or prep
Poor paint matching
Uneven lacquering
Overlooking (or not properly assessing) structural issues

How to choose the right alloy wheel refurbishment service

It's important to pick the perfect alloy wheel refurbishment service. You can check the quality of providers by asking questions and checking guarantees.

Questions to ask the provider

These questions will help you determine whether or not the provider is offering a good, cost-effective service:

Is the work completed in-house or subcontracted?
Which techniques and finishes do you offer?
Do you provide a warranty or guarantee?
Can you show examples of previous work carried out?

Warranty and guarantees

Reputable services tend to include a 6 to 12-month guarantee. This provides peace of mind, particularly for premium finishes like diamond cutting.

Is alloy wheel refurbishment worth it?

So, is it worth it to get your alloy wheels refurbished? Is it a good idea, or should you save your money?

Well, it depends on what you're planning to do with the car and how important the car's appearance is to you. If you like a shiny, sleek-looking car, then a good alloy wheel finish will be great for you. If you're not so bothered about appearances, and your wheel set is perfectly safe to drive on, then alloy wheel refurbishment might be a cost you can do without.

There are, of course, other situations that impact the cost-efficiency of alloy wheel refurbishment:

Impact on resale value

Refurbished alloys can make a vehicle look newer and better cared for, which increases its appeal (and therefore its value) to potential buyers.

Cost-benefit vs buying new wheels

What about buying new wheels? Could that be a better, more cost-effective option in the long term?

A full set of new alloy wheels can cost £400–£1,000 or more. Refurbishment, by contrast, can restore all four wheels for less than half that price. Plus, if sustainability is important to you, refurbishment is a much more sustainable option that helps to reduce waste and resource consumption.

Protect your refurbished wheels with the right insurance

Alloy wheel refurbishment can be a cost-effective way to improve the appearance and value of your vehicle. With prices ranging from £40 to £150 per wheel (depending on method and damage), it’s a flexible option for most budgets. Just be sure to choose a reputable provider and consider your goals (whether structural or cosmetic) carefully.

After investing in alloy wheel refurbishment, it’s wise to protect your shiny wheels with good insurance. Some insurers offer alloy wheel cover as an add-on to standard policies. This can cover the refurbishment cost of accidental damage, scuff repairs, or even replacement in more severe cases.

FAQs

How long does alloy wheel refurbishment take?

Most standard refurbishments take 1 to 3 hours per wheel. More complex repairs that require structural work or welding may take longer, depending on workload and drying/curing time. However, many providers now offer next-day collection or keep wheels overnight, especially for powder coating or diamond cut processes.

Will the refurbished wheels look brand new?

That depends on the service that you opt for. If you go for a good, professional service, then yes, even 'smaller' procedures like cosmetic and powder-coated refurbishments can often restore the original finish completely.

How often can you refurbish alloy wheels?

Again, this depends a lot on what you're having done. If you just want to patch up the existing finish of your wheels with paint or powder coating, you can continue to do so almost indefinitely. However, if you want a diamond cut finish, then you can only repeat the process a few times, as a layer of metal is removed from the alloys each time.