Driving in impressive alloy rims can be a worthwhile investment, especially if you are a car enthusiast. It enables you to show off your sense of style, preferred vehicles to collect, and your favourite colours. The problem is most alloy wheels have a lifespan, leading to visible imperfections on your ride. In effect, it makes you look like an irresponsible, amateur driver and car collector. To preserve your reputation and peace of mind, you have to get your damaged rims repaired immediately. Consider this article as your guide for doing so.
What Are the Disadvantages of Not Repairing Damaged Alloy Rims?
Ignoring the need for alloy wheel repairs may seem more like an aesthetic issue in the eyes of amateurs. However, in the case of enthusiasts like you, it can mean all the difference between a high-performance vehicle and a speeding hazard waiting to happen.
Driving a car with cracked or bent alloy rims can lead to a total blowout, meaning you cannot use them until they are repaired. If you continue to use it, your car can easily get destroyed, and you are highly likely to get into car collisions. Thus, it is important to address the issues immediately and get routine maintenance done to prevent damage from happening in the first place.
How Can I Repair My Damaged Alloy Rims?
First, you need to see if the rims are either easily fixable or beyond repair by checking the bent’s severity. Ideally, it should just be a bit near the centre section, signifying a daily easy refurbishment. You may also see damage on the back face. Anything apart from these issues can mean you require an immediate replacement in order to preserve your car’s performance and pristine condition.
If you deem the alloy rim amenable to repair, you have to spin the rim up and see to what extent the dent is protruding, letting you see which parts need to be reshaped back to normal by exposing the wheels to gentle heat. There is a pre-heating phase, which gradually rises up to 120 degrees Celsius, depending on the wheel’s build and the damage’s extent.
Once done, the rim should be put in a press jig, letting you remove the bigger bends. The refurbished wheel is then placed on a round-up machine with a dial gauge to look for high and low marked spots, which are repressed to refine the shape. Then, you have to use a spin up gear on the rim for fine-tuning. The wheel’s profile will then be reshaped to let the tyre bead stay neatly on the rim to avoid leakage and run-off. To finish the job, you can layer on a cosmetic finish to clean up the wheel.
What Repair Alternatives Can I Do If I Don’t Want to Further Damage My Already Worn-Out Alloy Rims?
If you are adamant about doing the repairs yourself, ensure you have the proper equipment and expertise. However, take note that it is often “high risk, high reward” to do so, and most fellow car enthusiasts would rather have professional wheel refurbishment done by experienced technicians. This method serves both as an alternative and the more preferred over DIY repairs.
Conclusion
Dealing with damaged alloy rims can be a nuisance to a car enthusiast like you, but there are ways around this. Fortunately, you now have a better understanding of what you need to do for repairs; it all boils down to your decision. Meanwhile, if you feel you need a second opinion from an alloy wheel repair specialist, then you have come to the right place!
Wicked Rims can provide you with professional alloy wheel refurbishment in Essex, allowing you to tune up one of your car’s most important features. We can also offer you high-quality diamond-cut wheels and straightening services for your convenience. Browse through our competitive prices today!