Update
on refurbishing MGBGTV8 Dunlop composite wheels
Since
releasing the NEWS item below on 3rd April 2018, several members have been trying
to find other specialist wheel refurbishers who can offer a good quality refurbishment
service for Dunlop composite wheels. Here we have an update.
Released:
180612 |
| Update
on refurbishment of Dunlop composite wheels
Since our NEWS item on refurbishing
Dunlop composite wheels released in April 2018, two companies offering a refurbishment
service have been found by fellow members. Both do not offer a complete service
but require the customer to arrange for rechroming the steel rims. That involves
taking the steel rims (once split from the alloy centres) to a rechroming company
and arranging for the rechroming themselves. Once the rechromed wheels are done,
then the customer has to get the rims returned to the refurbisher for the reassembly
of the wheels. As far as we can find it seems the refurbishers may have concerns
over liabilities that might arise from the rust removal and rechroming of the
rims. The net effect it's not a convenient service for a V8 enthusiast wanting
their Dunlop composites refurbished. An additional factor is the time taken for
the rechroming can sometimes be many weeks if not a couple of months. During that
time their MGBGTV8 is up on axle stands and not available for use on the road.
Two
fellow MGBGTV8 enthusiasts are doing practical research on one refurbisher who
they believe provides both a good quality service and a pleasant customer contact
too. As soon as we have their feedback we will release it as it is clear getting
original Dunlop composites refurbished is becoming a real frustration for an increasing
number of MGBGTV8 owners - and I believe also Reliant Scimitar owners with a similar
wheel with a slightly different offset. Another company offering a refurbishment
service have an advert which many might feel is forthright and in some respects
blunt. Their requirement that a customer has to arrange their own rechroming of
the steel rims does not come over very well when you read the way they express
that aspect. So far we have had no feedback from any fellow member who has had
their Dunlop composites refurbished with that company.
All-alloy Dunlop
composite lookalikes
Checking with Clive Wheatley he says he has sold many
sets of his resourced 15" all-alloy lookalikes but his investigations into
possibly producing a 14" all-alloy lookalike has revealed a difficulty with
providing room for the standard brake caliper. So for the time being further progress
with resourcing an all-alloy 14" lookalike is unfortunately halted. |  | Refurbishing
the Dunlop composite wheels on an MGBGTV8 is a job a relatively few specialists
can undertake. Until a few years ago, Motor Wheel Service International based
at Langley east of Slough offered a refurbishment service but sadly they decided
to cease providing it. So far we have not heard of an alternative refurbisher
with the necessary skills to undertake thorough and professional refurbishments
of Dunlop composite wheels.
What is involved in refurbishing Dunlop
composite wheels?
The refurbisher has to disassemble the wheel by splitting
the steel rim from the alloy centre, examine the rim to assess its condition,
re-chrome the rim and then reassemble the wheel with new rivets. Depending on
the state of the rims there may be additional work but in most cases an experienced
wheel refurbisher can achieve an airtight seal on reassembly. Often a good refurbisher
will provide a free reporting service on the wheels at the outset to enable the
customer to consider the options. It's specialist work and the typical cost of
refurbishing a wheel has been around £365 plus VAT and freight. But it's
difficult work that only an experienced refurbisher can undertake.
What
are an MGBGTV8 owner's options?
The first option is to avoid the need for
a wheel refurbishment, so maintaining your wheels is essential. Keep them clean
by removing road grime promptly and when the car is garaged make sure the wheels
are dry. For extended periods in the garage spray the chrome rims and joints with
the alloy centres with Plusgas or similar treatment to avoid any surface rust
setting in from dampness in the air. Another useful measure is to keep the air
moving around the car when kept in a closed garage - I use a table fan placed
in front of the offside wing which is plugged into an electrical timer so twice
a day a good breeze blows through and under the car for 20 to 30 minutes per session. | If
your Dunlop composites have developed serious corrosion on the steel chromed rims,
then what replacement alternatives are available?
Replacement options
for Dunlop composite wheels?
You have three replacement options:
1.
Advertise for a set of used Dunlop wheels in good condition
Adverts placed
by members on the V8 Spares for Sale or Wanted webpage on the V8 Website have
brought success for many fellow members, so it is well worth a try. Just contact
the V8 Webmaster with the text of your advert. It's free to V8 Register members.
See the V8 Spares for Sale or Wanted website
2.
Replace with the all-alloy lookalike wheel from Clive Wheatley
Clive Wheatley,
a leading MGV8 parts and services provider, has sourced new all-alloy wheels that
look very close to the original steel and alloy composite wheel. Currently it's
only available in a 15" size (compared with the original wheel at 14")
so fitting the 15" wheel will need
a different tyre choice. All-alloy replacement
wheels
3.
Replace with a set of 14" Minilites wheels
They are a classic wheel
for cars of the sixties and seventies and are much liked by many MGV8 enthusiasts.
More |
|
