Our Technology —
Equipment & Processes
The quality of a wheel restoration is determined by the equipment used and the discipline of the process. At The Wheel Lab, we have invested in the same technology found in OEM manufacturing and professional motorsport. This page explains what we use and why it matters for your wheels.
The Most Advanced Wheel Lab in the Valencia Region
Most wheel repair businesses in Spain operate with general bodywork equipment repurposed for wheels. We built The Wheel Lab differently: every piece of equipment was selected specifically for alloy wheel work, calibrated for wheel diameters and geometries, and housed in a controlled workshop environment. The result is a consistent, measurable outcome — not a best-effort approximation.
Below is a detailed overview of our core equipment. We are transparent about what we use because we believe it helps clients make an informed decision — and because we are genuinely proud of the facility we have built.
CNC Diamond Cut Lathe
Diamond cut alloys feature a machined face created by a CNC lathe at the factory — a smooth, bright aluminium surface with a characteristic circular pattern beneath a thin protective lacquer. Once that lacquer fails, or the face is scratched by kerb contact, the only correct repair method is to re-machine the face using the same type of equipment.
Our CNC lathe is a dedicated wheel-specific machine with a rigid, vibration-damped bed. The wheel is centred on the lathe using the hub bore, not the rim lip — the same datum used at the factory. A precision carbide tool bit then removes a controlled skim from the wheel face, cutting to a depth determined by the worst damage present whilst remaining within the safe metal removal limits for the wheel's specification.
After machining, the bare aluminium face is cleaned, treated and moved immediately to the lacquer booth to prevent oxidation. The lacquer applied is a two-stage system: a UV-resistant base coat and a high-clarity top coat, cured in a controlled temperature cycle to ensure adhesion and longevity.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Dedicated CNC wheel lathe |
| Wheel diameter range | 14" – 24" |
| Centring method | Hub bore (OEM datum) |
| Cutting tool | Precision carbide insert |
| Surface finish | Ra < 0.8 µm (mirror-class) |
| Lacquer system | Two-stage UV-resistant, oven cured |
| Max. metal removal | Per-wheel assessment, within OEM limits |
| Post-machining treatment | Chemical clean + immediate lacquer |
Note: not all diamond cut wheels can be safely re-machined. We assess minimum wall thickness before confirming eligibility.
GEMA Robotic Painting System
GEMA is the global benchmark in industrial robotic painting application, used in OEM automotive manufacturing across Europe. The system uses electrostatic technology: powder particles are charged as they leave the gun and are attracted uniformly to the earthed wheel surface, producing an even film build even on recessed areas, spoke undersides and barrel interiors.
Robotic painting is significantly more durable than wet paint for wheel applications. Once cured in our oven at the correct temperature profile for the specific powder, the finish resists stone chips, road salt, brake dust, tyre pressure soap, car wash chemicals and UV degradation far better than any conventional spray application.
Before any powder is applied, all wheels are stripped to bare metal by chemical stripping or media blasting, treated with a phosphate conversion coating for adhesion and corrosion resistance, outgassed in a pre-bake oven to remove hydrogen from the aluminium substrate, and then coated in our controlled booth. Surface preparation accounts for roughly half the total process time — and it is the most important half.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| System brand | GEMA (Switzerland) |
| Application method | Electrostatic robotic gun |
| Film thickness | 60–100 µm (controlled per spec) |
| Cure temperature | 180–200 °C (powder-dependent) |
| Pre-treatment | Strip → phosphate → outgas → coat |
| Colour range | Full RAL + custom colour matching |
| Finish options | Gloss, satin, matt, textured, metallic |
| Primer option | Epoxy primer for corroded substrates |
Robotic Paint Booth
Contamination is the enemy of a flawless paint or lacquer finish. A single dust particle settling on wet lacquer creates an inclusion that is visible under certain lighting and that can accelerate delamination. Our purpose-built spray booth uses positive pressure filtration and a controlled laminar airflow to maintain a virtually particle-free environment during all coating and lacquer operations.
The robotic application system used for lacquer operations moves the spray gun at a consistent speed, distance and angle — eliminating the variation inherent in hand spraying and producing a film of uniform thickness across the entire wheel face. Temperature and humidity inside the booth are monitored continuously during application to ensure the coating behaves as intended.
Controlled Environment
Positive pressure filtration, temperature monitoring and humidity control throughout all coating operations.
Robotic Consistency
Gun speed, distance and angle are machine-controlled for a uniform film thickness that hand spraying cannot reliably achieve.
Dust-Free Finish
Laminar filtered airflow sweeps the work area continuously, eliminating the contamination that causes inclusions in wet coatings.
Hunter Road Force Elite Balancer
Standard wheel balancers measure static and dynamic imbalance — but they cannot detect variation in tyre stiffness, which is the leading cause of vibration that persists even after conventional balancing. The Hunter Road Force Elite addresses this by simulating the load of the vehicle on the tyre as it spins, measuring the radial force variation at multiple points around the circumference.
This data allows the machine to recommend the optimal rotational orientation of the tyre on the rim — a process called match-mounting — which minimises the combined force variation before a single weight is applied. The result is a smoother result achieved with fewer balance weights than a conventional balancer would require.
The Hunter Road Force system is used by OEM assembly lines, premium dealerships and racing teams. It is the reference standard for wheel and tyre assembly. We believe every client, not just those with prestige vehicles, deserves that standard.
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Machine model | Hunter Road Force Elite |
| Balancing modes | Static, dynamic, Road Force |
| Road Force simulation | Yes — radial force variation measurement |
| Match-mount optimisation | Yes — tyre-to-rim orientation guidance |
| Rim diameter range | 10" – 30" |
| Weight placement accuracy | ± 2.5 mm |
| Hidden weight support | Yes (spoke-back, behind-spoke positions) |
Touchless Tyre Mounting
A conventional tyre machine uses a steel bead breaker arm that rolls across the rim flange during tyre demounting. On standard steel wheels this is acceptable. On alloy wheels — especially multi-spoke, low-profile or freshly finished rims — it causes the scuffs, marks and paint chips that are so common and so frustrating.
Our touchless mounting machine uses plastic and nylon contact elements throughout. The bead breaker does not roll over the rim; instead it pushes the bead inward from the tyre sidewall. The mounting head is nylon-tipped. The result is zero metal-on-metal contact with your rim at any point during the tyre change. For wheels we have just refinished, this is essential. For any alloy wheel, it is simply the correct way to work.
No Rim Contact
All working elements that contact the rim are nylon or plastic — eliminating the scuffs, marks and chips caused by conventional steel-armed machines.
Safe for All Alloys
Particularly important for multi-spoke, low-offset and deep-dish wheels where conventional machines struggle and cause damage.
Run-Flat Compatible
The machine handles run-flat tyres and low-profile performance rubber that resist conventional beading tools, without stress to sidewall or bead.
Our Restoration Process
Assessment & Quote
Each wheel is photographed, measured and assessed. A written quote is issued before any work begins. No surprises.
Strip & Prepare
Tyres are removed touchlessly. Old finish is stripped chemically or by blasting. Surface is prepared to the required substrate standard.
Repair
Any structural or cosmetic damage is addressed. Buckles, cracks, kerb damage and corrosion are corrected before any finish is applied.
Machine & Coat
Depending on the finish specified: CNC machining, robotic painting or lacquer in the robotic booth. Each stage is quality-checked.
Fit & Balance
Tyres are refitted touchlessly and balanced on the Hunter Road Force. Match-mount orientation is applied where beneficial.
Quality Control & Collection
Final inspection under controlled lighting. Photographs are taken. Your wheels are ready for collection or return shipping.
Experience the Difference That Equipment Makes
Send us photos of your wheels and we will explain exactly which process is appropriate and what the outcome will be. Quotes are written, detailed and provided with no obligation.