Wheels
Looking after your wheels can be a challenge. The wheel’s enemies are salt, acid rain, flying stones and kerbing to name a few. All top model luxury and sports cars are shod with alloy wheels. However, some years ago, alloy wheels used to be an option on most models, but today most cars have them fitted by default.
Damage
Damage to the wheels, arrives in many forms – from the vehicle itself, elements of the road, weather, erosion or accidental moments. The vehicle generates dark coloured dirt from brake dust that comes off the brakes is a regular culprit for spoiling the look of the alloys. Salt from the roads especially in the winter months is not friendly either. Over a period of time, erosion forms in the metal under the lacquer which looks untidy.
Kerbing is the last thing you want to do but is sometimes unavoidable, The lower the profile of tyre fitted to your wheels, the greater the chance of damage is through kerbing. Many older SUV’s avoid damage caused by low kerbs due to their greater tyre profile.
You may have misjudged your proximity to the kerb when parking. Have you swerved towards the kerb on narrow road to avoid an oncoming vehicle?
Luckily, there are products on the market that can help protect the wheels from this type of damage.
Replaceable plastic coloured self adhesive wheel rims can be fitted on the edge of the rim to absorb any damage instead of costly rim damage. The damaged wheel rim can then be replaced anytime with a new one.
The wheel rims come in various colours, either to match the rim colour or use a contrasting colour for an affect.
Potholes
Potholes can also damage the alloys. This has been an ongoing topic in the UK for some years and some councils now have a budget to have them repaired.
I have been a victim to a pothole, where damage to my 2 month old tyre rendered it requiring a replacement. Luckily the wheel did not sustain any trauma, but I was still out of pocket having to purchase a new tyre.
Wheel Care
Sometimes the use of a wheel brush and soapy car shampoo is not enough. Many wheel cleaners are available. The caveat with wheel cleaning fluid is that most contain a form of acid that will nicely clean the wheel but regular use will damage the alloys paint, metal or lacquer. After using a cleaner, make sure all residue is removed.
Cleaning the wheels regularly will help prevent their erosion as they are susceptible to the salt on the roads.
Refurbishment
Companies offering wheel refurbishment can make your wheels look like new again. The wheels can be checked and fixed where possible for buckles. The existing paint is then chemically stripped, surface blasted to remove corrosion and powder coated with a primer before being baked.
The top colour and a protective clear powder coat can then be applied prior to more baking. Some wheels then have an extra lacquer applied to finish.
Space Saver
Alloy wheels fitted to cars have grown larger in size in recent years and along with it has come a challenge to store a spare wheel of equal size. Boot size has generally increased over time with manufacturers designing vehicles with more usable space and retaining the model design. But, space and weight can be saved if the spare wheel is omitted. The space saver is one solution that could be used in an emergency to get you home or to a garage.
Generally rated to a maximum speed of 55mph, these are recognisable by their smaller size and yellow warning stickers.
Storing the space saver is possible in some model boots, some cars have a provision under the boot floor to carry one. Bags are available to keep your boot clean. Some space savers come as kits that includes a jack and wheel wrench – as after all, if you need to change a wheel, you will need these!
Many space savers are in a deflated state and require inflation prior to use. A pump will need to be carried! There is where the jack and wheel wrench come in if a roadside change is required. ©