Hairline Crack Welding
A small crack in the barrel or spoke can let air escape slowly, often mistaken for a puncture. We TIG weld the crack to restore full strength, then pressure test the wheel to confirm the repair is airtight and safe.
We repair cracked, split and gouged alloy wheels at our Swanley Village workshop. Welding and crack repairs are not covered by our warranty; our 12-month warranty applies only to the refurbishment finish. Hairline cracks usually take a few working days, while welding plus refurbishment may take longer.
Next-day welding is usually available, subject to inspection. If welding or straightening affects the wheel face, refurbishment may be recommended as heat can damage the existing finish.
We carry out five cracked alloy wheel repair and welding services from our Swanley Village workshop, covering everything from a single hairline crack to a wheel that needs welding and a full refinish. Every job is inspected and priced individually, so send us a photo of the damage and we will confirm the right service and an exact quote.
A small crack in the barrel or spoke can let air escape slowly, often mistaken for a puncture. We TIG weld the crack to restore full strength, then pressure test the wheel to confirm the repair is airtight and safe.
A hard pothole strike can split and bend the rim. We assess whether straightening, welding, or both are required, then complete the structural repairs before applying the final finish.
A deep kerb or debris strike can gouge out a section of metal rather than just crack it. We rebuild the missing material and blend it into the surrounding surface, ready for diamond cutting or powder coating afterwards.
Once a crack is welded, the repaired area needs refinishing to match the rest of the wheel. We combine the structural weld with diamond cutting or powder coating in one visit, so the wheel leaves looking as good as it runs.
Wheels with more than one area of damage, a crack alongside a buckle or kerb scuff, are common after a single hard impact. We inspect the whole wheel, quote every issue up front, and carry out all repairs in one visit.
Rated 4.9 out of 5 from over 200 genuine Google reviews, we are one of the highest-rated alloy wheel workshops in Kent. A small selection of recent customer reviews is below.
Send a photo of your wheels, and we will confirm exactly what they need and give you a fixed price.
The same five-stage process for every welding job, whether it is a single hairline crack or a wheel needing welding and a full refinish.
We examine the crack closely to check its size, depth and location, and confirm honestly whether the wheel is a safe candidate for welding before any price is agreed.
The damaged area is cleaned back and any gouged or missing metal is prepared, so the weld has a clean, sound surface to bond to.
The crack is welded using TIG welding, the method best suited to aluminium alloy, restoring the structural strength of the wheel at the damaged point.
Once welded, the wheel is pressure tested to confirm the repair is fully airtight and safe before it moves on to refinishing.
The welded area is blended into the surrounding finish through diamond cutting or powder coating as needed, the tyre is refitted, and the wheel is balanced before it goes back on your car.
A hard pothole strike, a kerb hit at speed, or ongoing metal fatigue from rough roads causes a hairline crack to form in the wheel barrel or spoke.
The crack lets air escape slowly, which shows up as a tyre that keeps needing topping up with no visible puncture, and left unaddressed the crack can spread and put the wheel at risk of sudden failure.
We inspect the crack, confirm it is a safe candidate for repair, TIG weld it to restore full strength, and pressure test the wheel before refinishing so you know the fix is genuinely airtight.
Welding is carried out on properly set up equipment in a controlled environment, not from a van at the roadside
Over fifteen years spent specifically on alloy wheel refurbishment and repair across Kent
Welding and crack repair are not covered by a warranty, though any refinishing we carry out afterwards is
Rated from over 200 genuine reviews from customers across Kent and South East London
Every welded wheel is pressure tested before refinishing, so the repair is confirmed airtight, not just visually complete
If a crack is too severe or in a location that cannot be safely welded, we tell you directly and explain your options rather than repairing something that should be replaced
A selection of recent diamond cut repairs completed at our Swanley Village workshop. Add real before and after photos from completed jobs into the four image slots before publishing.
View the full galleryPricing depends on the size, depth and location of the crack, and whether refinishing is needed afterwards. Send us a photo, and we will confirm an exact, fixed price before booking you in.
Yes, when carried out correctly. We use TIG welding, the method best suited to aluminium alloy, and pressure test every wheel afterwards to confirm the repair is airtight and safe before it goes back on your car.
Not every crack can be safely welded. If the damage is too severe, in a load-bearing area, or affects the structural integrity of the wheel, we will tell you honestly and advise replacement instead.
In most cases, welding is significantly cheaper than a new wheel, especially on alloy wheels with a diamond cut or unusual finish. We will always give you a clear price so you can compare for yourself.
A slow leak with no visible nail or object in the tyre, especially one that keeps returning after topping up, is often a sign of a crack rather than a standard puncture. We can confirm this during inspection.
The welded area needs refinishing to blend back into the rest of the wheel. Depending on your wheel's original finish, this usually means a diamond cut re-cut or powder coating, which we can carry out in the same visit.
A straightforward hairline crack is usually completed within a few working days. A wheel needing welding plus a full refinish may take a little longer, which we will confirm at inspection.
Yes. We regularly serve customers from South East London boroughs, including Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham. For structural repairs, customers need to bring the wheel to our workshop or leave the car with us, as we do not offer collection or delivery for these repairs.
Our warranty covers flaking paint or lacquer on the refurbished finish. Impact damage and general wear and tear are excluded.
Send a photo of the damage and your wheel size. We will come back with a fixed, no obligation price and book you into our Swanley Village workshop at a time that works for you.
Based in Swanley Village, with easy access from the A20 and M25, we repair wheels for customers across Kent and the neighbouring South East London boroughs.