How do you maintain alloy wheels?
Alloy wheels, with their sleek design and high-performance capabilities, are the epitome of vehicle aesthetics and handling. However, ensuring that you have alloy wheels that endure the test of time, stand out and perform optimally requires regular maintenance. We are Alloy Logic, your alloy wheel specialists, and for more than 20 years we have helped our clients with their alloy wheels. From alloy wheel replacement and repairs to alloy wheel maintenance, we’ve got the knowledge to help your alloy wheels look and perform at their best. In this blog, we will look at what alloy wheels are, what can cause alloy wheel damage and, most importantly, how you can maintain your alloy wheels for optimal performance and a lasting finish.
Give us a call today for more information about alloy wheels and more…
What are alloy wheels?
If you’ve found yourself here, you likely already know what alloy wheels are and have them on your vehicle. But if not, we can help. Alloy wheels are typically made from a blend of aluminium and magnesium. Due to their construction, they are known to deliver a perfect balance of strength and weight reduction when compared to steel wheels. What’s more, they deliver better heat conduction and enhance braking performance and overall handling.
What can cause damage to alloy wheels?
Despite their strength and durability, alloy wheels (like any wheels) are susceptible to damage and wear and tear. Some causes of damage to alloy wheels include:
- Kerbing – Hitting a kerb when driving is one of the most common causes of alloy wheel damage. In the UK, there are around 13 million vehicles on the road with kerbed wheels! High-impact collisions with kerbs will leave scratches and chips in your alloy wheels. This damage will impact the look and performance of your alloy wheels.
- Potholes – Hitting a pothole at speed is enough to make us grit our teeth but imagine what impact it has on your alloy wheels. Cracks and bends caused by impact with a pothole can cause alloys to lose air, cause vibrations and shaking from your steering wheel and can excessively wear tyres.
- Corrosion –Alloy wheels, though resilient to rust, can corrode over time – particularly if scratches are left untreated. Scratches on alloy wheels can damage the protective finish which is designed to prevent corrosion. If scratches and damage are left to worsen over time, they can cause irreversible corrosion which can spread to other areas of your vehicle.
Now that you know what can cause damage to alloy wheels, how can you maintain them to ensure optimal performance and enhanced aesthetics? Read on to find out how you maintain alloy wheels…
How do you maintain alloy wheels?
Regular alloy wheel maintenance is key in ensuring that your investment withstands the test of time. With 20+ years of experience, we at Alloy Logic are perfectly placed to advise on alloy wheel maintenance. Here are some of our top tips for maintaining your alloy wheels…
- Regular Cleaning
Regularly cleaning your alloy wheels with a mild detergent and a soft brush or sponge is key to alloy wheel maintenance. As well as making them gleam, cleaning your alloy wheels is essential in removing any brake dust, road debris and any dirt build-up that may be present. Regularly cleaning your alloy wheels in this way will protect your wheels from corrosive substances from settling on the surface.
- Avoid Abrasive Cleaners
It is vital when cleaning your alloy wheels, that you use the correct cleaning materials for the job. The use of abrasive materials on your alloy wheels can cause damage that builds up over time, including the accidental removal of protective layers on your alloys. If you’re unsure, get in touch with alloy wheel specialists, such as Alloy Logic who can provide recommendations you can trust.
- Protective Coating
A protective coating can make all the difference to the protection of your alloy wheels. Designed to create a protective barrier against contaminants, protective coatings such as high-quality wheel sealant or wax can stop wheel damage from occurring. What’s more, protective coatings also contribute to the aesthetics of your alloy wheels and can make future cleaning much more manageable.
- Check Your Tyre Pressure
Checking your tyre pressure is essential to alloy wheel maintenance. The right tyre pressure stops your tyres from wearing unevenly. If your tyres wear unevenly, you could face damage and wear to your alloy wheels. Moreover, tyres with low or inaccurate tyre pressures can be dangerous to drive on. So, to ensure your safety on the road, be sure to regularly check your tyre pressure.
- Inspect For Damage
Sometimes, nothing can be better than simply visually inspecting your alloy wheels for damage. Often, cracks, bends, wear and tear and other damage can easily be identified by the naked eye and is a quick, easy and free way of spotting any problems. If you do spot any alloy wheel damage, we highly recommend seeking the help of alloy wheel specialists who can decide on the best course of action.
During alloy wheel maintenance, you may spot damage to your alloy wheels. If this is the case, then we highly advise seeking the help of our specialists. We can undertake professional alloy wheel refurbishment to reinstate your alloy wheels’ former aesthetics and performance abilities.
So, how do I know if my alloys need refurbishing?
Unless you’ve actively hit a kerb, or pothole or know of some other damage to your alloys, you may not realise that your alloy wheels need refurbishing. Here are some of the warning signs to look out for that indicate that your alloys should be looked at by experts.
- Your steering is vibrating and/or shaking.
- You’ve noticed handling problems when driving.
- There is visible damage to your alloy wheels.
- Your tyres are deflating, or tyre pressure has dropped.
- Increased fuel consumption.
If you continue to drive on alloys that need refurbishing, you are putting yourself, your vehicle, and others at risk. As well as making your car look good, alloy wheels provide additional structural integrity and can enhance your driving experience, which is why it’s so important to make sure that they are functioning as they should to avoid dangerous situations.
How do you refurbish alloy wheels?
Painted Alloy Repair
Our mobile workshops can come to your home at a time that is convenient to you and carry out alloy wheel refurbishment for any damage to re-finish the wheel back to its former glory.
Our process includes the best quality paints and materials for a long-lasting finish. We start by removing the alloys from the car so we can do the work inside our mobile workshop. We then break the tyre bead which pushes the tyre back away from the rim edge to gain the best access around the rim for the repair.
All damage is removed using various sanding techniques and the rest of the wheel is keyed up ready for refinishing. We stock nearly all manufacturer colours and can order any colour required. All our wheels are finished with what we consider the best quality clear coat on the market. We can change the colour of your wheels onsite and offer high gloss, satin and matt finishes as well as various special FX.
Acid Strip & Powder Coating
We use powder coating most commonly for wheels that have needed acid stripping. These are wheels that contain corrosion or wheels that have been repaired using DIY or improper techniques.
Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a “skin”. It typically creates a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. It takes a few days to complete the repair, but we can come and remove your wheels at your address and convenience to take the hassle away.
After the wheel is stripped back we then repair any damage including cracks, bends and kerb damage using different techniques and prepare the wheel for re-coating. The primer is applied in a powder form, we then spray a liquid paint on to give any required colour. Diamond-cut wheels are then put into the lathe for diamond cutting before finishing off with a powder-coated lacquer. Once complete the tyre is refitted and balanced before getting a final once-over in quality control where any imperfections are polished out. We then fit your wheels back to your car ready to go.
Wheel Straightening & Welding
Potholes are the main cause of cracked and bent alloys and can be an MOT failure as well as causing problems with vehicle performance. We can repair most cracks and bends, but, we are currently unable to offer this as a mobile service. We will however collect and deliver the wheels making the process as hassle-free as possible. The cracks are welded, and the wheels are straightened on a purpose-built machine this is included in our acid stripping and powder coating service.
Smart Repair on Diamond Cut Wheels
We use two main methods for diamond-cut alloy wheel repair: lathe repair and smart repair.
What is a lathe repair on a diamond-cut wheel?
We were the first company in East Anglia to have a state-of-the-art lathe capable of repairing diamond-cut alloy wheels without removing the tyres. This process involves damaged wheels being put into our lathe where a very precise layer is shaved away to remove the affected area to leave a diamond cut finish, that is then finished using a specially developed lacquer to protect the wheel.
What is a smart repair on a diamond-cut wheel?
Before mobile diamond cutting, we developed a process to replicate the diamond cut finish using smart repair techniques which could be completed as a mobile service. The process itself consists of repairing only the damaged area by working out the grades and polishing the metal to give the same effect as the diamond-cut finish. We then blend chrome paint through the repaired area and finish with lacquer to protect the wheel.
Find out more about Smart Repair on Diamond-Cut Wheels here: https://alloylogic.co.uk/what-is-a-smart-repair-on-diamond-cut-wheels-2/
How much does alloy wheel refurbishment cost?
The average cost of alloy wheel refurbishment varies depending on several factors and we recommend getting in touch for a quote tailored to you.
How long does alloy wheel refurbishment take?
Depending on the level of damage and number of wheels, a smart repair can take anywhere between one and two hours.
Alloy Logic’s Tips for Keeping You Safe On The Road
We at Alloy Logic are knowledgeable and skilled in all aspects of alloy wheels. Here are some of our top tips for avoiding alloy wheel damage to keep you safe on the road as well as ensuring that your alloy wheels don’t need replacing or refurbishing for a long time to come.
- Take care to avoid hitting kerbs and potholes on the road when driving.
- Consider installing an alloy wheel protector kit on your vehicle.
- Keep your alloys clean to avoid a build-up of grit, dust, and any other debris.
- Use proprietary wheel cleaners sparingly.
- Ensure your tyres are properly inflated.
- If damage occurs, make sure you inspect your alloys or have a professional assess them.
Whether you’re familiar with alloy wheels or you have had them newly installed on your vehicle, you must carry out important maintenance and repairs if you’ve spotted damage or any of the warning signs. If left unattended, damaged alloys can cause avoidable and costly further damage to your vehicle and will result in them needing to be replaced in their entirety. By properly maintaining your alloys, you are making sure that your vehicle is safe to be on the road meaning that you are protecting yourself, your vehicle and the general public against potentially dangerous situations.
If you’d like more advice about alloy wheel maintenance, then contact us today!
Experience
With close to ten years of specialised experience., the specialist technicians here at Alloy Logic are experienced and skilled in all areas of alloy wheel refurbishment. We use expert techniques and boast attention to detail to produce the best results.
Quality Methods
We use quality methods for our alloy wheel repair. This means that you can enjoy quality results that keep you safe and roadworthy during the winter and throughout the rest of the year.
Customer Satisfaction
We are dedicated to ensuring your satisfaction and safety. When you come to us, you can enjoy an unrivalled experience that prioritises your satisfaction every single time you use our services.
