At 140K miles, my Sepangs are starting to show some wear. The paint has peeled from the center out to the beginning of the spokes on each wheel. There is some limited curb rash. I think one wheel might be slightly out of round.

Is there a good place to take these for refurbishment? I expect they need to be stripped completely bare, straightened, sanded on the curb rash, and re-painted.

Any data points on cost? I'm in the Atlanta, Georgia area if anyone knows of a good local shop.

I've thought about aftermarket and I've not seen anything that looks as nice and sophisticated on the XJR, so I'm not really interested in different wheels.

 

you say the paint is actually peeling. Do you think they have been repainted before? Factory paint just gets dull and chipped.


I found peeling on a repainted used wheel I bought, especially on the inner surfaces which had obviously not been well-prepared. The place I took it to grit-blasted it. It is expensive to refurb Sepangs to a high standard as you need to take them apart, and the screws will be seized. I'd also recommend throwing away the stainless trim ring, if present.

 

I have a pair of Sepang wheel hubs that were powder coated that I would love to sell as well as new trim rings. If you are interested I would love to get rid of them.

 

There are a number of franchised wheel service companies out there. They can do minor straightening with heat, clean up of curb rash and refinishing. Look it up on the web in your city.
Mind you, the above is not a complete remanufacturing process. They don't usually strip the wheel down to alloy and start over and the price reflects that. The going rate in Orlando a few years back was approx. $150 per wheel.

 

#1 on what Tarheal stated. Here in AZ there are many wheel reconditioning companies. Going rate here is about $130.00 a wheel. I would check with a local bodyshop if you cant fine someone online. Every bodyshop uses a company that does this and normally a very good one since they (shop) have to warranty it.


I have been pondering swapping mine out for chrome ones from that company in CA. Previous owner added a few chrome trim pieces (B pillar trim and mirror covers) so the chrome wheels would mesh well with that and my stock ones are starting to look in need.


Good luck, the peeling as been said is from a previous poor repair.

 

Well, they all have the same "peeling" issue. See the attached photos.

I was surprised to see that they are of a white-grey putty material under the paint.

Would I be better off trying to buy 4 more? Or just have the one wheel straightened and then have all of them stripped and re-painted? Are you saying that to strip and re-spray, all of the perimeter bolts have to come out? That's a PIA!!








Surprisingly, this is the wheel that needs to be straightened.

 

I apologize for not knowing what you mean. "wheel hubs"? These are two piece wheels I believe. Are you saying you have the center sections that include the spokes and not the round part that mates to the tire? Sorry I'm confused.

 

After looking at your pictures I think you may have a problem requiring a total strip down and powder coat. I'm no expert but it looks fairly serious particularly with 2 piece wheels.

 

Ok. I just sent the pictures to Wheel Wizard here in Atlanta, and they can strip them down to bare and finish them for $800 for the set assuming they don't have to take them apart. If they do have to take them apart, it's another $50/wheel.

That includes making sure each wheel is fully round, straight and true and powder coated.

Sound about right?

 

Not bad. Go with disassembly and powder coat if you can swing it.

 

splitting them is a better job.


you might also consider getting a 5th one as a spare. The rims buckle fairly easily on the inner edge, away from the spokes, and having a matching one will mean that you can run around with a matching set while one is being bent back to shape. I keep my original spacesaver spare in the car, and the extra Sepang at home, as the Sepangs don't really fit in the well, and are very heavy to try and lift in and out.


If you ask for them to be done in manufacturers original colour, it will be easier to match if you need another paint job, or buy another wheel.


The stainless rings are easily kerb-damaged and can't be removed or renewed or straightened without taking the wheel apart, which is why I recommend removing them.

 

Yes that is what I have. They are a 3 piece wheel, barrel-hub & trim ring. The barrel is what the tire goes on. I also have quite a few of the special nuts that hold the hob to the barrel as well.

 

I had my Sepangs refurbished a few months ago here in the UK. They did have to strip them down and do some minor straightening. They cost £760 for the four. Quite a lot compared to a basic refurb of maybe £65 a wheel but I was very pleased with the rest
Ults. They were a very expensive. Wheel when new and really set the car off nicely.

 

Hunter,


Don't forget to let us know how it all turns out. Pictures if possible.

 

Funny you should ask! It took them all week, but the results are amazing, both visually and from a drivability standpoint. The car is back to it's smooth, buttery driving self, both at speed and stopping. Never mind that they look gorgeous, too!

I had them split apart. The rims are polished and straightened and the wheels were powder coated. (They are very sparkly!)

 

Looks great !

 

nice job done there

 

Hey folks:
Got new rubber on my '05 XKR and dealer noticed crack on inside edge of passenger front. Now got a slow leak. Can this crack be repaired or am i in for a replacement?
If replacement, where do I look for it?
Tks

 

I have 20 inch Sepangs on my 2004 XJR. Mine are in much better shape, but I have replaced the chrome trim rings on all. Not all Sepangs have the trim rings. To replace the trim rings 19 titanium bolts need to be removed and retorqued on each wheel. I also had 3 wheels restraightened for $115 each. I had some minor nicks that I touched up myself. Not sure if the cracked wheel can be welded, I suspect so.

Used Sepangs are well over $500 on ebay and I suspect may cost as much as $1000. They may require repair beyond that

RyeJag

 

Are the trim rings restorable or are new ones readily available at a decent price? Mine were powder coated black, giving a little meaner appearance and IMO matching the black window frame trim. I'm now running 275mm tires all around and this prevents curb rash. Wish I'd put the larger tires on long ago then i'd not need to refinish

Any wheel restoration place recommendations

for LA?