Refurbishing the Dunlop composite wheels on an MGBGTV8 is a job a relatively few specialists can undertake. Until a few years ago, Motor Wheel Service International based at Langley east of Slough offered a refurbishment service but sadly they decided to cease providing it. So far we have not heard of an alternative refurbisher with the necessary skills to undertake thorough and professional refurbishments of Dunlop composite wheels.

What is involved in refurbishing Dunlop composite wheels?
The refurbisher has to disassemble the wheel by splitting the steel rim from the alloy centre, examine the rim to assess its condition, re-chrome the rim and then reassemble the wheel with new rivets. Depending on the state of the rims there may be additional work but in most cases an experienced wheel refurbisher can achieve an airtight seal on reassembly. Often a good refurbisher will provide a free reporting service on the wheels at the outset to enable the customer to consider the options. It's specialist work and the typical cost of refurbishing a wheel has been around £365 plus VAT and freight. But it's difficult work that only an experienced refurbisher can undertake.

What are an MGBGTV8 owner's options?
The first option is to avoid the need for a wheel refurbishment, so maintaining your wheels is essential. Keep them clean by removing road grime promptly and when the car is garaged make sure the wheels are dry. For extended periods in the garage spray the chrome rims and joints with the alloy centres with Plusgas or similar treatment to avoid any surface rust setting in from dampness in the air. Another useful measure is to keep the air moving around the car when kept in a closed garage - I use a table fan placed in front of the offside wing which is plugged into an electrical timer so twice a day a good breeze blows through and under the car for 20 to 30 minutes per session.

If your Dunlop composites have developed serious corrosion on the steel chromed rims, then what replacement alternatives are available?

Replacement options for Dunlop composite wheels?
You have three replacement options:

1. Advertise for a set of used Dunlop wheels in good condition
Adverts placed by members on the V8 Spares for Sale or Wanted webpage on the V8 Website have brought success for many fellow members, so it is well worth a try. Just contact the V8 Webmaster with the text of your advert. It's free to V8 Register members. See the V8 Spares for Sale or Wanted website

2. Replace with the all-alloy lookalike wheel from Clive Wheatley
Clive Wheatley, a leading MGV8 parts and services provider, has sourced new all-alloy wheels that look very close to the original steel and alloy composite wheel. Currently it's only available in a 15" size (compared with the original wheel at 14") so fitting the 15" wheel will need a different tyre choice. All-alloy replacement wheels

3. Replace with a set of 14" Minilites wheels
They are a classic wheel for cars of the sixties and seventies and are much liked by many MGV8 enthusiasts. More