Established 20 years ago, the specialist technicians at Alloy Logic are experienced and skilled in all areas of diamond-cut alloy wheel installation, maintenance, repairs, and replacement. Diamond-cut wheels have quickly become a favourite among many car owners and are a great addition to your car, so as soon as you leave the forecourt, your vehicle is as high-performing and appealing as it can be. Unfortunately, being out on the road comes with unavoidable pitfalls including damage to your car and diamond-cut wheels from roads, kerbs, wear and tear, corrosion, and other drivers. At Alloy Logic, we have the knowledge and expertise to tend to your diamond-cut wheels if they incur damage. If you’ve been wondering how to go about repairing your wheels or have been asking yourself ‘what is a smart repair on diamond-cut wheels?’ here’s our handy guide…
What are diamond-cut wheels?
Before we go into what a smart repair is on diamond-cut wheels, we’ll first look into what diamond-cut wheels actually are. Known as a unique selling point for many car manufacturers, ‘diamond cut’ is a specialised finish applied to alloy wheels that makes them more aesthetically pleasing and gives the appearance of precision-finished, chrome alloys. The process of creating diamond-cut alloy wheels involves the alloy wheel being placed on a lathe and the entire painted surface of the wheel is machined off until a shiny alloy finish remains. When completed by specialists such as the qualified technicians at Alloy Logic, diamond-cut alloy wheels have a dual-tone finish with the bared metal having small grooves and a high lustre which is lacquered over to prevent corrosion.
Why would I need my diamond-cut wheels repaired?
Our experience tells us that there are several reasons why you may need your diamond-cut wheels repaired and if you fail to do so the impact of diamond-cut alloy wheel damage can be extremely dangerous if not addressed properly and can lead to blowouts, mechanical issues, handling problems, and increased fuel consumption. Here are some of the reasons why you may need your diamond-cut wheels repaired…
Kerbing
Kerbing is undoubtedly the most common reason why diamond-cut wheels become damaged and there are an estimated 13 million cars on the road in the UK with kerbed wheels. High-impact collisions with kerbs will leave scratches and chips in your wheels and, as well as impacting the appearance of your car, can cause irreversible damage and depreciate its value.
Potholes
Potholes are probably the second most common reason for diamond-cut wheel damage. Hitting a pothole at speed can cause dents and cracks to your alloys and can cause punctures, If you feel you
may have hit a pothole too fast or hard, we recommend finding a safe place to stop to investigate the damage.
Corrosion
While alloy wheels technically don’t rust, they can be prone to corrosion over time, particularly if scratches are left untreated. Scratched alloy wheels remove and damage the protective finish which is designed to prevent corrosion, if scratched or damaged they can then be susceptible to corrosion over time.
Cleaning materials
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 diamond-cut alloy wheels can cause damage that builds up over time, including the accidental removal of protective layers on your alloys. If you’re unsure, speak to alloy wheel specialists who can provide recommendations you can trust.
Warning Signs That Your Diamond Cut Wheels Need Repairing
Unless you’re aware of the age of your alloys or have actively hit a kerb, or pothole or know of some other damage to your alloys, you may not realise that your alloy wheels need repairing. Here are some of the warning signs to look out for that indicate that your alloys should be looked at by experts.
· Vibrating & Shaking
Whether you remember hitting a pothole or not, if your steering column is shaking or vibrating when driving, your alloy wheels are likely damaged. This occurs because your tyre is making uneven contact with the surface of the road and shakiness in the steering column could indicate that your front rim is buckled, while vibrations in your seat could suggest that your rear rim is damaged.
· Handling Problems
Handling problems are one of the biggest red flags for notifying you of alloy wheel damage. Damaged alloys can significantly impact the tyre pressure, steering and performance of your car, which could lead to an accident or other dangerous situations to arise. So, if you’ve started noticing that your car isn’t handling the way that it used to, it’s time to get them repaired.
· Visible Damage
Often, when we’ve clipped a kerb or have been involved in an accident, there will be visible damage to the alloy wheels. We recommend inspecting your wheels following an incident or if the damage isn’t instantly obvious, getting an alloy wheel specialist such as us at Alloy Logic to take a look for you to ensure that your wheels are performing as they should.
· Deflating Tyres
Alloy wheels are designed to fit flush against the tyre, however, if your alloy is damaged through high-impact collision or loose debris on the road, it could pull away from the tyre and cause air to leak, thus causing tyre pressure to drop. If not rectified immediately, deflating tyres could cause serious blowouts or punctures.
· Increased Fuel Consumption
If you’ve noticed that you’re filling up more regularly, this could be a sign that your alloy wheels are damaged or are ageing. When your alloy wheels aren’t functioning as they should, your engine has to work twice as hard to keep your wheels spinning and your vehicle moving, meaning that your fuel consumption will be higher and more costly.
How do I repair my diamond cut alloy wheels?
If you’ve kerbed your car or have spotted unwanted corrosion, there are several techniques used to repair damaged diamond cut alloy wheels. While it is possible to attempt repairs yourself, we recommend coming to specialists such as us at Alloy Logic as the process requires an expert technique and attention to detail to produce the best results. At Alloy Logic, we employ two main techniques to repair your diamond-cut alloy wheels: with a lathe and smart repair.
What is a lathe repair on a diamond cut wheel?
We at Alloy Logic 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 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 up 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.
Which option is best?
Most diamond cut alloy wheels only allow for one or two cuts or treatments on the lathe per wheel, so if the damage to the wheels is minor, a smart repair is often the better option to preserve the lifespan of your wheels. If the damage is minor edge damage, a smart repair is also usually the best option, however, if the wheel is suffering from corrosion or extensive damage, we’d recommend a full re-cut. The repairs needed can also be dependent on the wheel design and where the damage is. Whilst a full cut is the only way to achieve a 100% perfection, our techniques used in a smart repair are barely noticeable in comparison. We can offer both smart repairs and full diamond cutting as a mobile service and can recommend which service is the best for your wheel, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
Will smart repair on diamond cut alloy wheels last?
Yes absolutely, unlike our competitors all our work comes with a 12-month warranty and the products we use purpose-designed high-quality direct-to-metal lacquers on all our diamond cut wheels and repairs.
How long does a smart repair take?
Depending on the level of damage and number of wheels, a smart repair can take anywhere between one and two hours.
Will damaged alloys fail an MOT?
In short, yes, damaged alloy wheels can be a contributing reason why your car may fail its MOT. If your alloy wheel has become damaged, cracked, or dislodged it will have an impact on the performance and safety of your vehicle and will therefore be flagged on an MOT test. It’s vital to make sure that your alloys are up to standard so that you, your passengers and other drivers are safe on the road.
Alloy Logic’s Tips for Keeping You Safe On The Road
With over 20 years of experience, we at Alloy Logic are knowledgeable and skilled in all areas of diamond cut alloy wheel installation, maintenance, replacement and repairs. 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 repairing for a long time to come.
· Take care to avoid hitting kerbs and potholes on the road when driving
· 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 to worsen, 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.
