10 July 2026
How Long Does Alloy Wheel Refurbishment Take?
A realistic look at alloy wheel refurbishment turnaround: what happens during the days your wheels are away, what adds time, and why curing and inspection can't be skipped.
Read the guide
The cost of alloy wheel refurbishment depends on size, condition and finish — not a flat rate.
Quick answer
Powder coating starts from £120 for a single 10–18 inch wheel and £408 for a set of four (prices inc. VAT). Diamond cutting starts from £144 per wheel (£480 a set), because the wheel is powder coated and then the face is machined on a lathe. Prices rise with wheel size, a full set works out cheaper per wheel than a single, and structural work such as welding or straightening is added on top once the wheel has been inspected. Full figures are on our price list.
"How much does alloy wheel refurbishment cost?" is the question we are asked most, and the honest answer is: it depends. Price is driven by the size of the wheel, the finish you need, how much damage there is, and whether you are doing one wheel or a full set. This guide explains what actually moves the price up or down so you can budget sensibly — and you can always check our current guide prices per wheel for live figures.
On this page
- Guide prices by wheel size
- What that looks like in practice
- What actually affects the cost
- Cost by finish: powder coating vs diamond cutting vs paint
- What a refurbishment price usually includes
- When refurbishment isn't the right spend
- Refurbishment vs replacement: weighing the cost
- How to get an accurate quote
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Get a clear, honest quote
- Sources
Guide prices by wheel size
These are the guide prices from our price list. They cover a full refinish of a wheel in sound structural condition. Repairs such as welding or straightening are listed underneath and added where a wheel needs them.
| Wheel size | Powder coating — 1 wheel (inc. VAT) | Powder coating — set of 4 (inc. VAT) | Diamond cut — 1 wheel (inc. VAT) | Diamond cut — set of 4 (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10–18 inch | £120 | £408 | £144 | £480 |
| 19 inch | £126 | £432 | £156 | £504 |
| 20 inch | £132 | £456 | £162 | £516 |
| 21 inch | £138 | £480 | £168 | £528 |
| 22 inch | £144 | £504 | £180 | £552 |
All prices include VAT at 20%.
Repairs and extras, added where needed:
- Wheel Welding: £96.00 + £48 per additional weld inc. VAT
- Wheel Straightening: £96.00 inc. VAT
- Nitrogen Inflation: £36.00 inc. VAT
- Loan Wheels: £12 per wheel (£48 for a set of 4) inc. VAT
What that looks like in practice
A few typical jobs, priced from the guide figures above before inspection:
One kerbed wheel (10–18 inch), powder coated
£120 inc. VAT.
A set of four 19-inch wheels, powder coated in a new colour
£432 inc. VAT, against £504 if each wheel were priced singly.
A set of four 20-inch diamond-cut wheels with a refreshed face
£516 inc. VAT, provided each face still has enough material left to cut.
One buckled 19-inch wheel, straightened then powder coated
Around £222 inc. VAT (£96 straightening plus £126 refinish), if the buckle is within safe limits.
If inspection turns up a crack, hidden corrosion or a previous repair, the price changes, or we tell you the wheel should be replaced. That is why the figure is confirmed in the workshop rather than over the phone.
What actually affects the cost
There is no flat rate for a "wheel refurb" because no two damaged wheels are the same. After years on the tools, these are the factors that decide the price every time:
Wheel size
A compact 16-inch wheel takes less material and labour than a 21 or 22-inch alloy. Guide prices step up with diameter.
Finish type
powder coating is usually the most cost-effective full refinish, while a diamond cut finish costs more because the wheel is powder coated and then the face is machined on a lathe.
Condition
Even light kerb scuffs are put right with a full refurbishment of that wheel, because it has to be heated; heavy corrosion, deep gouges or a wheel that has been previously refinished take more preparation.
One wheel or a full set
A single wheel is more expensive per unit; a set of four is better value because the work is batched.
Extras
Tyre removal and refit, rebalancing, new valves, welding or straightening a buckle are separate line items, depending on what the wheel needs.
Colour or finish change
Switching from silver to gloss black, satin or a custom colour is straightforward with powder coating, but a full colour change is more involved than a like-for-like refresh.
Cost by finish: powder coating vs diamond cutting vs paint
After wheel size, the finish you choose has the biggest effect on price. In short:
Powder coating
A tough, baked-on finish that handles UK salt, brake dust and daily wear well. It is normally the best value for everyday wheels and the easiest to refresh later. See our powder coating guide for how it works and what it costs.
Diamond cutting
A precise, factory-style two-tone face. It costs more and a wheel can only be safely re-cut a limited number of times, so it is best reserved for wheels designed for it. Our diamond cut wheels guide explains the limits.
Ceramic ball polishing
A polished, mirror-like finish for wheels where that suits the look. It is priced per wheel, from £294 inc. VAT. Our ceramic polishing guide explains the process.
Whichever route suits your wheels, our published guide prices show the per-wheel and full-set figures by size, so you are not guessing.
What a refurbishment price usually includes
- Stripping and preparation back to a sound surface
- Corrosion removal and surface preparation
- The chosen finish (powder coating, or powder coating followed by diamond cutting and lacquer) and curing
- Tyre removal, refit and rebalancing where the wheel is fully refinished
- A final inspection and finish check before the wheel goes back on
Quoted separately when needed: welding, straightening a buckle, crack assessment, TPMS/valve work, or rectifying hidden damage found during stripping.
When refurbishment isn't the right spend
Cost should never be the only consideration. Refurbishment improves appearance and protection, but it cannot restore strength to a wheel that is structurally compromised. If a wheel is cracked, severely buckled beyond safe tolerance, or corroded to the point it cannot hold a seal, the right advice is replacement — even though that means turning the work away.
Damaged or cracked road wheels are treated as a safety defect at MOT, as set out in the DVSA MOT inspection manual (axles, wheels, tyres and suspension). We inspect every wheel before quoting so you only pay for work that is safe and worthwhile.
Refurbishment vs replacement: weighing the cost
For cosmetic damage, refurbishment is almost always the cheaper route — often a fraction of the cost of a genuine replacement wheel, particularly on premium or large-diameter alloys. Replacement only wins on cost or safety when the wheel is beyond safe repair. If you are weighing it up, our guide on alloy wheel repair vs refurbishment walks through how to choose, and a quick inspection settles it for your specific wheels.
How to get an accurate quote
Be cautious of a firm price quoted before anyone has seen the wheels. Hidden corrosion under the lacquer, damage on the inner barrel, or a buckle you cannot spot from the front can all change the work involved. For a realistic figure: check our price list for the guide band, send clear photos, or book a quick assessment. We will explain what is needed, what it costs, and what we would leave alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1How much does alloy wheel refurbishment cost?
It depends on wheel size, finish, condition and how many wheels you are doing. As a guide, powder coating starts from £120 for a single 10–18 inch wheel and £408 for a set of four (prices inc. VAT), and diamond cutting starts from £144 per wheel. Larger wheels cost more, and welding or straightening is added on top where needed. We confirm the price once the wheels have been inspected.
Q2Is it cheaper to refurbish or replace an alloy wheel?
For cosmetic damage — kerb rash, corrosion, peeling lacquer, a colour change — refurbishment is almost always cheaper than buying a genuine replacement, especially on premium or larger wheels. Replacement makes more sense when a wheel is cracked, badly buckled beyond safe tolerance, or so heavily corroded that a refinish would not be safe or lasting. We will tell you honestly which way the numbers fall.
Q3Why is diamond cutting more expensive than powder coating?
Diamond cutting involves powder coating the wheel, machining the face on a precision lathe, then lacquering it. It takes more time, specialist equipment and skill, and a wheel can only be safely re-cut a limited number of times before too much metal is removed. Powder coating is a tougher all-over finish and is usually the more economical, longer-lasting option for everyday driving.
Q4Does the price include removing and refitting the tyres?
On a full refurbishment the tyres normally need to come off so the wheel can be stripped, prepared and refinished properly. Tyre removal and refit, rebalancing and new valves are typically part of the job, but extras such as welding, straightening a buckle or crack assessment are quoted separately because they depend on what we find. Ask for these to be itemised so there are no surprises.
Q5Why are bigger wheels more expensive to refurbish?
Larger diameter wheels (19, 20, 21 and 22 inch) use more material, take longer to prepare and finish, and are more common on premium cars with intricate spoke designs and two-tone diamond-cut faces. More surface area and more detail means more labour, which is why guide prices rise with size.
Q6Can you give me a price over the phone?
We can give you a guide price band over the phone or from clear photos, and our published prices give you a realistic range. A firm price comes after a quick inspection, because hidden damage on the inner barrel, corrosion under the lacquer, or a buckle you cannot see from the front can change the work involved. A short look in the workshop protects you from an inaccurate quote.
Get a clear, honest quote
We refurbish alloy wheels across London, Essex & surrounding areas with transparent, per-wheel pricing and a safety-first inspection. See the figures, then let us confirm exactly what your wheels need.
