Monza Diamond refurb - Is it worth it?

[monte]

How were they powder coated two tone Chowgar??? 

[Mk5 GTian]

I've needed to get mine refurbed for the last 2 years not got round to it yet the idea of getting them back to the proper anthracite diamond cut would be the ideal but the longleivity and change in sharp edges due to extra material cut off worries me and will be going powder coat and smoked chrome seems good as robin has done but will all be down to tne colour the specific refurber uses!

Ian if you do something local ask them if there is a deal to be done for 8 wheels would have to be drive in drive out.

Will do Rich, I'm going to start looking into this when back from my romantic driving weekend! When you say drive in, drive out, do you mean leaving the car there for a day or two whilst they do it?

[Mk5 GTian]

Robin's thread inspired me to get mine powdercoated in smoked chrome, and I don't regret it for a moment.  I love the 18" Monzas and the fact that they're not just any old alloys, but a feature of the Golf GTI.

I'm told that my wheels really catch the light as the car moves, but I'm not letting anyone else drive it so I'll never know!

SRC, let's have a look then! I could get a really good idea from seeing yours as you're a fellow member of the shadow blue brigade! 

[Mk5 GTian]

as much as the original finish looks great... powder coating aint too bad...





 

OMG!  Where did you get THOSE done, and can I ask how much a corner? They look amazing! Can you also put some pics of side profile on the car please?

[RedRobin]

How were they powder coated two tone Chowgar??? 

.... x 2

Most wheel finishers told me that they couldn't guarantee an even and sharp join line between face and insert colours and were very reluctant to do it.

[samdem]

would also love to see a side on pic of them on your car!

[JPC]

I wouldn't have a diamond cut rim on any of my cars... Unless...

They are factory fresh wheels i.e. a refurb company has not done the diamond cutting/powder coating. Most of these wheel refurb companies won't entertain the idea of a warranty with diamond cut wheels. Thats just down the fact diamond cut wheels WILL get white worm very quickly. They are so so delicate and on the wheels its asking for trouble.

Now, on some factory finished wheels from the likes of BBS/speedline etc... they are doing thousands of wheels at a time which changes the landscape of the plant they're painting them in. They have a much better environment to be painting wheels in, and with that comes much higher quality finishes. Thats my idea on why BBS/ OEM diamond cut wheels last 3-4 years without white worm rather than 3 months to 18 months you'd normally see a refurbished diamond cut wheel lasting without white worm.

If a customer comes to me and asks for diamond cut wheels, I always explain this and tell them there is no warranty. 8 times out of 10 they will do for a full powered coat or wet paint finish. ;)

[chowgar]

I suppose I told a little bit of a fib... they took my wheels and treated to remove the existing finish... can’t remember if they chemical dipped or blasted them... then powder coated the whole wheel gloss black then masked off sprayed with the smoked chrome and a lacquer finish over the top...

If I remember it was £100 a corner...

however this all came about as in an emergency and having a dumb moment I called in with a flat to kwik fit and asked for two new front tyres. First time round they did a decent job however put the wrong tyres on, second time round rushed the job and damaged both front wheels round the bolt holes and a couple of random scratches... they initially told me that’s how I brought it in... until I mentioned they were fine when I walked the store manager round the car... There was then a small battle between myself and the local area rep who in the end decided they would pay to have all 4 of them redone with a small contribution from me.

Originally the wheels were to be black inserts with a silver chrome finish to look as close to the diamond cut as possible. The wheel guys had 4 attempts at getting it right and still managed to get it wrong... they had issues with masking round the inserts as the tape really doesn’t like the powder coating so a couple of attempts at that then went to pick the car up on the final attempt and they had sprayed them smoked chrome instead of silver chrome... got in the car drove away and told the guy to get his boss to call Monday to sort all this crap out and no one ever followed it up... Think they were just glad to see the back of me to be honest as it was a bigger job than they originally thought with all the masking etc…

It’s taken a while but I have come round to really liking them… but then again I have no choice without forking out ££££

[Mk5 GTian]

Can I ask which firm did the work Chowgar? And any chance of a side on pic of the wheels on the car please?

Thanks,

Ian 

[SRC]

SRC, let's have a look then! I could get a really good idea from seeing yours as you're a fellow member of the shadow blue brigade! 

Just for you...
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,42652.msg497139.html#msg497139

[samdem]

love them!! my mind is made up!!

[Mk5 GTian]

SRC, let's have a look then! I could get a really good idea from seeing yours as you're a fellow member of the shadow blue brigade! 

Just for you...
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,42652.msg497139.html#msg497139

 Thanks for posting Looks great with the shadow blue, and the colour matches the dark grey on the side skirts! That could save me a few bob! 

[driver rider]

Looks nice SRC.  The company is down the road from me they'll be having a new customer in the near future!