Knowledge
Knowledge from the workshop.
What a wheel repair really costs, why powder coatings flake, when a crack means the end and how a CNC lathe pays for itself. Technical articles without advertising copy.
Repair · August 2026
Removing corrosion from alloy wheels: causes, processes and protection
How pitting, white deposits and galvanic corrosion form on alloy wheels, how to recognise corrosion reliably, which process gives a lasting result for each type of damage and how to slow new damage down.
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Refinishing · August 2026
High-gloss compaction or painting your wheels? Which solution fits better
What really happens to a wheel in the vibratory bath, why it is not polishing, when painting or powder coating is the better choice and what both processes cost per wheel.
Refinishing · August 2026
Powder coating matt or gloss: what really lasts longer
Gloss levels in numbers, the pros and cons of a matt and a gloss finish in daily use, why the material hardness is the same and why the preparation decides durability.
Repair · August 2026
Wheel with radial run-out: recognising the causes and putting them right
What radial run-out is, how it develops, which driving symptoms point to it, how run-out is measured with a dial gauge and a 3D laser, and when the wheel can be straightened.
Repair · August 2026
Wheel with lateral run-out: symptoms, causes and repair
How lateral run-out develops, how it differs from radial run-out, how to recognise it while driving, how it is measured with a dial gauge and a 3D laser and what run-out repair costs.
Refinishing · August 2026
Wheel colour: how to find the right shade for your wheels
How to find the colour code of your wheels, why remixed paint differs from the original, which new colours are popular and why Mainhattan-Wheels uses the manufacturers' original wheel paints.
Costs · July 2026
Diamond cutting wheels: what a CNC repair costs and why cheap alternatives fail
Market prices for diamond cutting by scope of work, the fixed price at Mainhattan-Wheels, the four stages of a CNC repair, the typical mistakes of budget providers and the comparison with a new wheel.
Technology · July 2026
Diamond-cut wheels at German premium brands: why BMW, Audi and Mercedes rely on CNC
Diamond-cut wheels are the factory finish on M Sport, S line and AMG. How the process works, why polishing does not fix the damage, how to spot damage early and how the CNC repair runs.
Repair · July 2026
Steering wheel vibrating after a kerb or pothole? Causes, costs and what to do now
Radial run-out, lateral run-out or imbalance: why the steering wheel shakes from around 80 km/h after kerb contact, how a run-out check gives you clarity, what the repair costs and what you should do now.
Machines · July 2026
Buying a powder coating line for wheels: what workshops need to know before investing
Why a wheel-specific line makes the difference, which components belong to it (chamber oven, powder booth, manual powder system), which businesses the investment pays off for and what to check before buying.
Care · July 2026
Wheel sealant after a repair: which products really last
Wax, quartz or ceramic: how long each type of wheel sealant protects after reconditioning, what matters when applying it and why the moment straight after the repair is decisive.
Costs · July 2026
Powder coating wheels: costs, process and when it pays off
Prices for powder coating wheels by size and process, the seven steps of a professional coating, the colours available, the comparison with wet paint and when the investment adds up.
Care · June 2026
How long does a professional wheel refurbishment really last?
Realistic durability for wet paint, powder coating, CNC diamond cutting and high-gloss compaction, which factors decide it in the workshop and what shortens it in daily use.
Technology · June 2026
Stripping wheels: chemically or by blasting?
Chemical stripping in a dip tank or blasting: which process is kinder to the aluminium, when glass bead blasting makes sense and why the order of the steps decides how long the finish lasts.
Technology · June 2026
Why powder coating flakes off some wheels after six months
A correctly executed powder coating lasts 5 to 10 years. When it flakes off early, the cause is almost always the preparation: oxide layer, curing temperature, damaged substrate or too thin a coat.
Repair · June 2026
Repairing kerb damage on a wheel: costs, methods and limits
When kerb damage on an alloy wheel can be repaired, which methods are used depending on the damage, what the repair costs and when only a replacement remains.
Refinishing · June 2026
Candy, bicolour or high-gloss compaction: which wheel finish really lasts
Three finishing processes compared: build-up, durability, cost and care requirements of candy paint, bicolour with CNC diamond cutting and high-gloss compaction, and which process suits which vehicle.
Machines · June 2026
Buying a CNC lathe for wheels: which model suits your workshop and when does it pay off?
Which CNC lathe fits which business, what is included in delivery and from how many wheels per day the purchase pays for itself in around six months.
Repair · May 2026
Why professional wheel reconditioning affects the value of a vehicle more than most people think
Wheels shape the first impression of a vehicle. Why small damage lowers the perceived value and when reconditioning pays off economically.
Repair · May 2026
The most common mistake after a wheel repair and why it gets expensive later
Straight after the repair the wheel looks good. Whether the work was of high quality only becomes clear months later. How to recognise a durable wheel repair.
Care · May 2026
Caring for premium wheels properly: why the wrong cleaning does more damage than you think
Aggressive cleaners, hard brushes and neglected winter care damage high-quality wheels little by little. What diamond-cut and painted surfaces react to and how to look after them properly.
Refinishing · May 2026
Diamond-cut or painted wheels: which surface makes more sense in the long run
Diamond-cut wheels look more premium, painted wheels are tougher in daily use. How both surfaces react to kerbs, salt, cleaning and winter driving, and which suits which car.
Repair · May 2026
Lease returns and wheel damage: when small scratches get expensive
Why wheels are inspected so closely at a lease return, why cheap repairs stand out and when a professional refurbishment costs less than replacement.
Repair · May 2026
Why high-quality wheels are damaged more often today than they used to be
Large wheel diameters, low-profile tyres and diamond-cut surfaces make modern wheels more sensitive. Why small damage gets expensive and when an early inspection pays off.
Care · April 2026
Diamond-cut wheels in winter: risks, care and tips
Road salt, moisture and temperature swings attack diamond-cut surfaces slowly and quietly. How to spot the first damage, how to clean them properly and why a separate set of winter wheels makes sense.
Repair · April 2026
The 7 most common mistakes in wheel repair and how to avoid them
A superficial damage assessment, the cheapest quote, the wrong process, badly repaired diamond-cut wheels, no diagnosis, ignored repair limits and looking only at the appearance.
Repair · April 2026
Alloy wheel repair: which damage can really be fixed?
Kerb damage, scratches, paint damage and oxidation are easy to repair, slight deformation and diamond-cut surfaces only within limits, cracks and severe deformation not at all. Why the diagnosis decides.
Costs · April 2026
Paint or powder coat your wheels? Prices, differences and durability
Wet paint and powder coating compared directly: process, surface, durability, stone-chip resistance, repairability and cost per wheel, and when which method is the right choice.
Repair · April 2026
Finding wheel repair near you: what to look for in a workshop
Specialisation, workshop technology, damage analysis and transparent advice: how to recognise a good workshop for wheel repair and which mistakes are commonly made when choosing one.
Costs · April 2026
What does a wheel repair really cost?
Realistic prices for alloy wheel repair: from light scratches to CNC machining of diamond-cut wheels, the factors behind the price, the process and when a repair is worth it.
Technology · March 2026
Diamond-cut wheels explained: why CNC diamond cutting is the standard today
What distinguishes diamond-cut wheels, why a simple repair destroys the effect, how CNC diamond cutting works and why the diagnosis before machining is decisive.
Technology · May 2020
Refurbishing truck wheels: CNC machining of polished and high-gloss compacted wheels
Why haulage firms choose aluminium wheels and how polished or high-gloss compacted truck wheels from Alcoa or Speedline are visually refurbished by CNC skimming in the 1/100 mm range and resealing.
Refinishing · August 2019
Porsche GTS wheel in Turbo look
Case study: the matt black wheels of a Porsche 911 (991) GTS are CNC diamond-cut and fully acrylic-coated to give them the bicolour look of the Turbo S wheel. Material removal in the 1/100 mm range, feed rate 0.2 to 0.4 mm per revolution.
Repair · July 2019
Where can you have wheels repaired?
Superficial damage up to 0.5 mm of material loss or structural damage: how to recognise a competent specialist, which questions to ask and why cracks must never be welded. With the statement of the FKT.
Refinishing · July 2019
Powder coating or painting alloy wheels?
Why powder coating is the first-choice process in wheel refurbishment, what advantages it has over wet paint, when the two processes are combined and why acrylic powder coating is unbeatable as a sealant.
Repair · July 2019
I have scratched my wheels. Can I have my wheels repainted?
Why kerb damage to alloy wheels is so common today, what the FKT statement says about the repair of light-alloy wheels and why light scratches can be worked on without concern.
Your question is not covered?
The questions we are asked most often about wheel repair are answered together in the FAQ.