Narrow Chipstead Valley lanes and the wheels that pay for them
Heading out along Chipstead Valley Road or the lanes around Farthing Downs, you share narrow, winding roads with walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Giving them room means pulling over, often onto a rough edge, a verge with hidden stones, or a kerb. It's an easy way to scuff a rim, especially on a family SUV with large wheels. Grit and stones thrown up on those lanes also chip the lacquer on the face of a diamond cut wheel.
Coulsdon's hills bring a second problem. Braking down long descents into the valley, such as the drop towards Smitham Bottom Lane and Woodcote Road, heats the brakes and bakes brake dust onto the wheels. Left on, the dust eats into the finish, and around the wheel nuts and spokes you see dark, pitted patches that no amount of cleaning will shift. That's a sign the lacquer or paint has failed. Cars used for regular trips down the A23 towards the M25 collect road grime on top, which holds moisture against any chips in the finish.
We look at each wheel before quoting, checking for cracks and buckles and identifying the finish. Pitted and stained wheels generally need a full strip and powder coat, or re-cutting and lacquering if they're diamond cut. Small kerb scrapes can often be repaired cosmetically. Tyres come off and go back on with new valves where needed, and each wheel is balanced before it's refitted and torqued. If any wheel shows signs of a crack, we'll stop and talk to you, as that's a safety matter rather than a cosmetic one, and we won't simply paint over it.
From near Cane Hill or the church of St John the Evangelist in Old Coulsdon, the A237 takes you straight north to us. A full set usually takes 2–3 days, so collection and delivery can be arranged. You'll get a written price per wheel first, and our 3-month workmanship warranty covers the work.