DIY tips for maintaining alloy wheels

Alloy wheels can cost a lot when you consider the price of a full wheel refurbishment, powder coating or resprays so you should make time to look after them where possible, not only that alloy wheel cleaning is an important part of any thorough car maintenance routine.

Damaged wheels are becoming an increasingly common issue for motorists and even if you're a parking pro, the UK's roads can be unforgiving and South Yorkshire has some of the worst maintained roads in the country. Road debris, potholes, and uneven curbs destroy car wheels with scratches, chips, cracks, and dents. Sometimes they can be repaired, sometimes you’re better off buying an entirely new wheel.

But cleaning them doesn’t have to be a long and complicated task. At its most basic, you can give your alloys a thorough deep clean using simple car care products in combination with a good, soft brush and a couple of buckets of water. For a proper clean, however, experts recommend a power washer to blast off the dirt more quickly and effectively.

Maintaining wheels yourself

...But sometimes even a good clean can still leave your wheels looking tired and those scuffs and scratches can show up even more when the rest of your car is gleaming. So you may wish to try and repair light damage with off the shelf alloy repair kits which typically include sand papers, a filler, primer, paint and a lacquer (not always included so always check or purchase separately).

The instructions on the kits can be confusing and youtube videos can be misleading but thankfully the team at RS Wheels in Sheffield have kindly put together an easy to follow 10 step process to help get the best results…

10 Step Alloy Wheel Refurbishment Process:
1. Clean the wheels thoroughly to remove dirt and grease.
2. Use the sandpaper to remove damaged paint and flatten chips
3. Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth
4. Mix the putty and fill in damaged areas taking care to make sure the surface is as level as possible before leaving to set
5. Once completely dry, use the sandpaper to sand the filler and take your time so you get a flush finish
6. Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth
7. Apply masking tape around the damaged areas
8. Apply the primer and wait until dry
9. Apply light coats of the paint, waiting for the paint to dry in between coats, until happy with the finish
10. Apply the lacquer using a light coating and allow it to dry

The key to a satisfactory finish is time and patience, by rushing and cutting corners you could end up with a worse result than what you started with!

But while a DIY repair can do the job for minor damage, you should really use a professional wheel refurbishment company to repair anything more serious such as a bent wheel, extensive curbing, corrosion and fractures.

Most repair specialists offer same-day services and many offer mobile facilities and come out to your home or work for minimal inconvenience.

If you're based in South Yorkshire, family-run RS Wheels offer both workshop-based and mobile services and are one of the most competitively priced specialists in the area. They offer a comprehensive range of Alloy Wheel Refurbishment services and they have an excellent reputation for service and quality.

Head to www.rswheels.co.uk for more advice and guidance on alloy wheel care.