How Much Does It Cost to Refurbish a Rim
If you are considering refurbishing a rim, you’ll want to know the likely cost, how long it takes, and whether repair or replacement is more sensible. Typical prices vary by size and damage, with extra charges for speciality finishes, so understanding the specifics of the damaged area can save time and money. Here’s what to contemplate next.
How much does a wheel refurb cost
Let’s look at what a wheel refurb will cost for a set of rims, how long the work typically takes, and what complete wheel refurbishment actually includes.
Alloy Wheel Refurbishment in Stoke-on-Trent & Leek
Based in Leek, just a short drive from Stoke-on-Trent, we offer full alloy wheel refurbishment services across Staffordshire and surrounding areas.
Prices vary by wheel type and size. Typical alloy wheel refurbishment costs start from around £80 per wheel for standard finishes, and around £115 for diamond-cut alloys. Larger or speciality wheels may cost slightly more. Diamond-cut and special finishes add extra cost.
The typical turnaround is a few days to a week, with longer delays if repairs or special finishes are required.
How much does it cost to refurbish a set of rims
How much will it cost to refurbish a full set of rims?
We typically see standard alloy wheel refurbishment priced around £80 per wheel for up to 20 inches and approximately £90 for 21 inches and above, so a complete set usually costs around £300–£340.
Diamond-cut alloys start at roughly £115 each, reflecting the extra machining required for repairs on kerb damage.
Prices for alloy wheel refurbishment vary depending on the damage: straightening, welding, or other repair work adds cost, as do speciality finishes or centre cap replacement.
You can often save by doing all four together rather than one-off repairs.
All figures include VAT; however, please confirm exact quotes for your wheel type, size, and any additional services you may need for repairs on damaged alloys.
We are proud to be transparent with our pricing; you can view full pricing on our alloy wheel repair services.
How long does refurbishment take
After outlining typical costs and package savings, we should examine the actual duration of refurbishment so you can plan without surprises.
Turnaround typically ranges from a same-day quick fix to several days, depending on the complexity of the work required. Simple cosmetic refurbs or repainting a single alloy often take 24–48 hours, keeping repair costs low.
Larger wheels, more extensive corrosion, or straightening and welding due to a buckle add time, extending jobs to 3–5 days. Diamond-cut alloy finishes require extra machining and curing steps, so expect a longer processing time to address any kerb damage.
If we refurbish all four wheels together, workshops often batch jobs, so the overall time remains efficient even if individual wheels require extra work.
We recommend confirming exact lead times and any parts needed before booking.
What is full wheel refurbishment?
Full wheel refurbishment restores your wheels by cleaning, sanding, repairing damage, and applying a new finish. We typically see costs ranging from about £50 to £120 per wheel, depending on the damage and size.
In practice, we strip the wheel, assess corrosion and curb damage, then repair alloy faults, such as bending, cracks, or scuffs, before sanding and priming.
Standard refurbishment for up to 20″ averages around £80, while 21″ and above is approximately £90. Diamond-cut alloy work is nearer £115.
Repairing all four can reduce the per-wheel cost to roughly £300 for smaller wheels or £340 for larger ones.
Extras like non-standard colours, centre caps, or tyre removal due to a pothole incur additional fees.
We recommend a full inspection to confirm the scope and final price.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a rim
While we often prefer repairing a damaged rim when the damage is minor, the cheaper option really depends on the wheel type, size and extent of damage.
We’ll usually opt for repair for cosmetic issues: repairing a scuffed alloy wheel averages around £89, which is well below the cost of replacing a rim, which can exceed £200 for premium or large wheels.
For standard alloys, refurbish costs range £50–£120, so if damage is limited, repair or refurbishment is economical.
If multiple wheels need alloy wheel repair, doing all four saves money, roughly £300 for up to 20″ wheels.
However, structural damage, complex two-piece wheels, or rare finishes may make it sensible to replace a rim despite a higher upfront cost.
Can car rims be refurbished?
If your rims show scuffs, bends or faded finishes, we can usually refurbish them rather than replace them, and doing so typically costs between £50 and £120 per wheel, depending on size and damage.
We can restore most wheels. One-piece wheels, up to 20 inches, typically cost around £80 each, and 21-inch-plus wheels are around £90.
Two-piece wheels cost more, typically ranging from around £87. Diamond cut alloy wheel refurbishment requires specialist machining and starts at around £115, making it a pricier option.
Repairs, powder coating, and colour matching add to the bill, and centre cap or tyre services may incur additional costs.
Refurbishing all four can save money, roughly £300 for smaller wheels and £340 for larger ones.
Can I refurbish wheels myself?
Are you wondering whether you can tackle wheel refurbishment yourself, or if you should leave it to professionals for damaged alloys? You can, but there are trade-offs.
A DIY scuff repair typically costs around £89 per wheel for materials, including sandpaper, putty, primer, and paint and involves cleaning, sanding, filling, priming, and painting. We must follow safety steps: gloves, a respirator mask and goggles.
DIY suits minor curb rash or superficial accidental damage, and it’s satisfying and cost-effective for simple jobs. However, extensive damage, structural issues or speciality finishes are best left to professionals, who offer longer-lasting, higher-quality results and can quote for services like diamond cutting or non-standard colours.
Before starting, we recommend getting local specialist quotes to compare costs and decide whether to DIY or go pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Refurb a Rim?
How Much Does It Cost to Refurb a Rim?
We’d typically charge from about £57 to £90 per alloy wheel, depending on size and type, with two-piece wheels from £87, diamond cutting or special colours extra, and repairs or caps adding further costs.
Is It Worth It to Refinish Rims?
Yes, we think it’s worth it: refinishing rims restores appearance, can improve resale value, fixes safety issues, and’s cheaper plus greener than new wheels; we’d opt for professional work with a warranty for peace of mind.
How Much Does It Cost to Rebuild a Rim?
We estimate rebuilding a rim typically costs £60–£96 per wheel depending on damage, size and services; two-piece wheels start higher, and extra repairs, diamond cuts or non-standard finishes add fees we’ll quote after inspection.
Is It Cheaper to Repair or Replace a Rim?
It’s usually cheaper to repair a rim than replace it; we’ll often refurbish scratches, straighten bends or weld cracks for far less than new wheels, though severe structural damage or speciality finishes might justify replacement.
Summary
To summarise, we’ve seen that refurbishing a rim usually costs £50–£120 each, about £80 for standard alloys up to 20″ and £90 for larger wheels, with a full set typically £300–£340. Turnaround time is often a few days, depending on the extent of the damage and the finish, and full refurbishment includes repairs, refinishing, and protection. Weigh the repair versus replacement by damage, cost, and safety, and consider DIY only if you have the right tools and experience to fix dented or buckled wheels.
