Current statistics show that there are around 1.6 million potholes in England and Wales that affect motorists. Research from Kwik Fit found that one in five motorists has tried to avoid oncoming traffic when a pothole is spotted ahead. Potholes are the subject of much controversy and frustration for many drivers because of the damage that they can cause including dents, scratches and excessive wear to the tyres of your car. According to Kwik Fit research, over 7 million Brits have damage their vehicles from driving over  potholes.

Where are people most affected by potholes?
This is a problem that affects the UK as a whole; however, there are some regional trends that exist. Some of the pothole problems are experienced in regions such as:
• The West Midlands: over 70% of drivers in the West Midlands say that they have to take matters into their own hands to avoid potholes.

• Scotland: Over 40% of those surveyed by Kwik Fit said they had to take evasive action against potholes.

• Wales and the South West: Both regions have responded with 29% of drivers saying they avoid potholes.

What’s the damage?
It ranges from issues affecting the suspension, wheels and bodywork of the car. The exhaust system is also affected from potholes. If your tyres are losing air, it might be down to a dent in the alloy caused by a pot hole.

At Diamond Alloy, we can fix the damage that is done to your alloy wheels as we know how serious potholes are and how they affect your car. If you want to give your scuffed or dented alloys a new lease of life, then give us a call on 0845 3708881 and we will be happy to advise how we can refurbish them along with a quotation.

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Powder coating is a technique used to coat any metal with a coating. It is one of the most versatile methods of making metals look glossy or matte (depending on what you want) as well as being able to apply plenty of special effects available. The automotive industry has taken to powder coating especially for alloy wheels repairs.

The details of the Powder Coating process

The basis of powder generic levitra online coating is when pigment and resin are ground to powder and then sprayed onto the surface of the metal, in the case of cars it is usually the alloy wheel metal. The finished results speak for themselves: it offers a high quality finish that is completely even and uniform making a great base surfaced to apply the finished paint effect or finish.

At Diamond Alloys, we use start the process by cleaning the alloy thoroughly in our Aquablast machine to remove dirt and grease. If there is corrosion we will also acid dip the alloy to ensure the wheel is stripped back to basics. It is only at this stage can the powder coating process start. Powder coating is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. This differs from conventional liquid paint and does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form. The coating is typically applied electrostatically and is then baked in a specialist oven to allow it to flow and form a “skin” creates a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint. After the process, the wheels are given some time to cool down before the desired paint colour and lacquer are applied. Finally the tyres are balanced and re-fitted to the tyres. The process itself is done by trained specialists and experts who know how to successfully apply powder coating on alloys for a stunning finish.

The results

Powder coating is the ultimate choice for discerning car owners who want the best for their performance cars as it gives a beautifully uniform layer to start from providing a smoother finished result. Another advantage of powder coating includes its environmental attributes as the powder coating produces less hazardous waste and the overspray from the process can be recycled.

How would it work for you?

Whether you have an Aston Martin or an Alfa Romeo in the garage, the marque of your car will not affect whether or not you can have powder coating on your alloy wheels. The details that matter are fine-tuning your personal specifications such as the diameter of your alloy wheels and the special effects options such as a high gloss finish. Once you know what you want for your alloy wheels, powder coating your alloys with Diamond Alloys will offer you a great result.

Powder coating  can be applied to any colour or finish. We offer a wide range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke alloy refurbishment, standard refurbishment and our most popular Diamond Cut service. Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you.

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Driving on a warm summer’s day in a dream car is something many of us wish we could do. Now the warm weather has started to appear, it can be achieved depending on how to drive during the summer. The top tips you need to know about include:

• Look out for punctures: Summer driving can make your tyres prone to punctures because of the increased heat. Monitor tyre pressure to see how your tyres are holding up in warmer weather.

• Monitor coolant levels: When your car overheats, it can be stressful because only your car will know when it is cool enough to function. This is where you can watch the coolant levels to keep the temperature of the car at the right levels.

• Eat light: Experts recommend that you shouldn’t have heavy meals before driving especially in summer. This is because heavy meals and hot weather can make you tired and fatigued whether you are driving short or long distances.

• Save on fuel by managing air conditioning: One strategy includes allowing air conditioning to cool the car down while driving and then lower the AC usage to save on consumption. Another tip is don’t use air conditioning if you have the windows down as well.

• Be aware of tractors: Part of the British countryside’s rich heritage, tractor drivers actually are not required to have indicator or brake lights if they are used during the day. They are only required at night; this means that when you are driving, be aware of them during the day because they could turn unexpectedly. Keep a good distance from them for a smooth summer driving experience.

With these summer driving tips, enjoying the warm weather will be second nature to you for all types of car journeys.

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Alloys wheels may be affected by many things, even rotting and corrosion. Brake dust has a corrosive effect on your car and it may decay the clear coat finished on your alloys too.

At Diamond Alloys we use a powder coating process which applies a base coat to the wheel giving it a sound base to paint. Before this is applied, the alloy wheel is placed into an acid bath to remove the all paint and corrosion bringing the wheel back to its base. Powder coating is one of the most advanced coating processes available and is a great way to prepare the wheel for the finished colour. This entire process is carried out at our Alloy Wheels Refurbishment Centre in London, where our well trained technicians are able to provide our clients with a first class and speedy alloy wheel refurbishment.

Powder coating is a highly durable, customisable way to refurbish alloy wheels and it can be applied to any colour or finish. We offer a wide range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke alloy refurbishment, standard refurbishment and our most popular Diamond Cut service. Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and discuss your options with our technicians.

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Cars are essential in the modern world, whether for pleasure of for work so it is essential that they are kept in tip top condition to not only keep you safe but to also extend their life. Extending the life of car tyres is an integral part of keeping  your car in good shape. Interested to know how to get this done? Follow what you need to know below:

• Make sure your tyres have sufficient air: This is probably the best way you can extend their life. Insufficient inflation in car tyres can affect how long you can use them for because this encourages excessive wear and tear. Common advice is that you should check your tyre pressure at least every week.

• Avoid over inflation: Too much air in car tyres can mean that your tyres wear out prematurely. The way to avoid this is to have tyres inflated by an expert.

• Have your tyres aligned: This is a measurement tip that value-focused drivers use to get the most out of their tyres over an extended period of time. Wheel and tyre alignment protects tyres against the elements and environments such as potholes. Alloys can also benefit from tyre alignment because this is care-intensive work that maintains their pristine condition.

• Rotate tyres frequently: It’s important to do tyre rotation especially if you use your car daily. This allows tyres to be used evenly as opposed to just one part of the tyre.

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