Repairing gutter rash on 18" charleston alloy

[spiff]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anybody has any experience repairing the 18" Charleston Alloy rim? I've got it on my MkV Jetta and I'm having difficulty finding a place in WA that has the specific lathe it requires. I'm told that Alliance Rim Repairs (one of the more popular places) sends it to QLD to be done. Anyone know of a place that does it?

Basically, i picked up a few scratches going through a roundabout and tried to sand it down, but because the lip near the tyre is curved, it hasn't come out right. I've had places quoting me $95 - $140 to machine it but it won't come out the same. Alliance offered to do it for $300 - sent to QLD - so I'm just looking at alternatives for now (maybe saving on some of the cost by contacting the east coast companies myself).

spiff
p.s. i've got a thread in the mkv forum but i thought i'd try a more specific forum in case non-mkv owners have the info. sorry if this is considered double posting.

[rayray086]

Pictures of the damage?

[tofo17]

When my wife bingled our MkV Jetta the 18" Charlestons were scuffed pretty well (and some pre-existing curb rash). They were repaired by Depulu Wheels http://www.depuluwheels.com/index.html

They've got a great reputation and did an amazing job, you would not know they were ever damaged.

I'll be back to them soon for some more curb rash on the Charlestons and to do a factory refinish on my 17" Classixs!

They are down near the Gold Coast, which is handy for me, and do arrange shipping etc.. Check out the website.

Cheers,
tofo

[spiff]

Thanks tofo! I'll get in touch with them right away. May I ask how much you were charged roughly? I only need one rim done.

rayray, I took some pics last night. Horrible in the dark light. Will get some with a proper camera today.

I was talking to a friend and he was suggesting it's not worth repairing..just selling them off for a couple of hundred less mentioning there's gutterrash on one wheel (together with the vw sports pack), and upgrading my coilovers, new wheels etc.

[spiff]

Pictures of the damage?

I've added the pics here.
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...?do=view&g=743

Also found someone who repaired similar rims, but they powder coated it black, so I haven't a clue whether after sanding + putty'ing, whether it needs to be painted silver or just polished like mad before a clearcoat.

There's a VW rim called "Bioline" that's apparently similar to our Charleston rims.

[Preen59]

Dude that's not worth worrying about. Not on a machine finished rim.

Just leave it and try not to look at it! haha.

[spiff]

Hhahaha. I try to be a perfectionist. It's expensive.
But I think I may have to do that.
If I leave it, I think I might want to clean it up and put the clearcoat back on though.

Just wondering, any idea if it's painted before clearcoated, or just clearcoated?
I know the inside of the spokes are painted (the VW dealer even told me it's not the same colour as platinum gray).