Conference terri::cars_uk

    Andy
    
    Micheldever Tyres buy and sell alloy second hand alloys they have
    them"re-furbished".  Give them a call.  Don't know the number im
    afraid.
    
    Bruce

�    I am told by someone who knows about such things, that there are places
�    that `re-furbish' and repair alloy wheels.
    
    I believe that they do this sort of thing at "Hampshire Tyre Services",
    which is just off Junction 9 of the M27...  Don't have their number.
    
    J.R.

    
    There is also a company around the back of the Renault Garage
    in Reading town center who specialise in this area. I've an
    auto trader somewhere, I'll look up the name and number as 
    thats where they mormally advertise.
    
    JN.

    
    The place by the Renault garage are "Elite Wheels and Tyres" in
    Chatham St. They have a good selection of wheels and are Yokohama
    stockists. A good bunch.
    
    Richard.

    I would bet a cheaper and quicker solution would be to simply fit a
    tube to the wheel/tyre that is leaking and forget about fixing the
    wheel.
    
    Dave

    
    You can't (I was told) fit tubes to tyres with a profile lower than
    70%, which the MR2 may well have.
    
    Mark

    	By the looks of the last replies, it appears that most TYRE places
    (except Kwik fits etc) will do/know of wheel repairers... is this the
    case?
    
    
    					Lewis.

    re .6
    
    Hadn't thought of that.  Most of the tube uses I've had were on the
    Michelin rally tires which are around 195/70x14 and some normal 80 and
    70 series tires.  I guess it would be worth asking around?  Over here
    in the US a tube for a 13" or 14" tire is about $8, then you just pay
    for dismount, mount and balance.
    
    Dave 

    
    Thanks for the replies ... I've invested in the ubiquitous `Trader' and
    found a couple of numbers.  There may be more, but my advancing age
    means the eyesight isn't brilliant as far as reading all the small-print 
    ads is concerned.
    
    RE: .5 & .6 ... I have indeed been told that the tyres in question are
    	not `tube-able'.  And the tyre replacement places say they do not 
    	offer this service.
    
    I'll try the Reading number today (Wheelmasters in Rose Kiln Lane, 0734
    594930 just in case anyone else is interested).  I'll also look up
    Micheldever Tyres as well.
    
    Any further suggestions gratefully received ... and I'll report back
    with prices when I find the solution. 
    
    	Andy. 
           

    If I remember correctly, Hampshire Tyre Services (mentioned earlier by
    J.R.) charge approx �25-�29 per wheel for bead blasting and powder
    coating. However, are you sure that this is a solution to your problem?

    I too, have an old style MR2 and have recently been having problems
    with the spare losing air. I've had it looked at, but no puncture or
    leaks could be found (after immersing it in water etc.). What I was told
    was that certain types of alloy are porous (maybe they all are - I
    don't know) and need to be sealed to prevent air loss through the rim.
    They think that that may be the problem with my spare, but I don't know
    where I can get this done. Could yours be the same?

    PCH

    Prices so far range from �27.50 to �37.00 per wheel.  Every place I've
    tried (3 so far), have commented that corrosion and distortion is a `known 
    problem' with Japanese wheels.  One guy mentioned that MR2's are
    particularly prone (he apparently drives one himself).
    
    Luckily, the cheapest place is the closest (Wheelmasters in Reading),
    but I will try Hampshire Tyres, as recommended in the last reply.
    
    RE: .1 also .... I watched as they immersed the tyre and it was
    possible to see the escaping air ... and it was in an area where the
    wheel was slightly damaged and corroded ... so I think (hope!) that a
    re-furb will do the trick.
    
    	Andy.
     

	When I was a biker (I will be again one day, if I get tempted
	into the bike shop I pass on my way to work), it was well
	known that Japanese bikes suffered from "Japanese frost" on
	their alloy bits.  That is, getting corrosion *under* the
	laquer.

	The alloy wheels on the Marlin (Compomotive) have had over
	5 years on the car and they have only one or two little spots
	of corrosion.  I keep them clean by washing them with wash
	and wax every time I wash the car.  I also spray them with 
	light oil on the outside of the wheel and heavy oil on the 
	inside during winter.  The real killer in winter is salt,
	so when you've had your wheels done, keep them clean.

	Dave

�                    <<< Note 1936.11 by KERNEL::WHITAKER >>>
�                      -< Wheelmasters = cheapest so far. >-

    I took my spare wheel to Hampshire Tyre Services yesterday afternoon.
    They had a good look at it and diagnosed corrosion around the rim (as
    yours was) and not leaking through the rim as I had been told. They
    cleaned the rim, coated it with rubber sealant and said that all was
    now O.K. (�6.95 inc. VAT). Only time will tell.

    By the way, their prices for bead blasting and powder coating of alloy
    wheels is �24.95 + VAT (�19.95 _ VAT for steel wheels) and not as I
    said earlier.

    PCH