Monthly Archives: July 2017

Why Powder Coat Alloy Wheels?

Have you ever wondered why alloy wheel specialists recommends a powder coat process for repairing and refurbishing alloy wheels?

Diamond Alloys is a powder coat specialist and to help you answer this question we have put together a list of the benefits of applying a powder coat process to your alloys along with some common questions with their answers.

The Benefits of Powder Coating Alloy Wheels

You’ll achieve a better and more durable finish with a powder coat.
Achieves a longer lasting result compared to painting alone.
Typically a one coat finish it can offer a quicker turnaround for completion.
Powder coating is an environmentally safe process because it produces few volatile organic compounds (or VOCs).
Creates the most even finished surface (horizontal and vertical) because the powder is sprayed and heated without drips or application traces.

Most Commonly asked Question About Powder Coating?

What colour finish can I achieve with a powder coat?
There is a wide range of colours available. You can also add texture, achieve a matt or gloss finish.

Is a powder coat finish dangerous?
Powder coating are not classified as dangerous and there are no solvents used in powder coating.

Does powder coating prevent rust?
Unfortunately no, but the finish is durable and last longer than many other processes which is why it is so possible, ensuring return visits to the workshop are fewer.

Can I get powder coated alloys diamond cut?
Yes, all our Diamond Cut allows wheels have a powder coat base. This can be painted a colour to accentuate the effect of the cut.

Can I get a smart repair powder coat?
No. Powder coatings are a workshop applied using specialised equipment. The equipment includes an electrostatic spray gun, spray booth and an oven to bake the coating. On site application is not possible given the hot curing cycle required to fuse the coating.

What has static electricity got to do with powder coating?
Powder coatings are electrostatically charged by the spray gun. This works by very high voltage (80,000 to 100,000 volts) being delivered to the electrode. This high voltage ionizes the air creating a field of electrons or negative charge. The powder is pneumatically conveyed into this electrostatic field, picks up a charge then heads to the nearest ground. So lots of static electricity is generated by the spray system.

How should I care for my powder coated alloys?
Pollution, dirt, grime and salt can all accumulate on a powder coated surface over time. To extend the life of your powder coated alloy wheels a simple regular maintenance program should be implemented for the removal of residues.

In areas where pollutants are more likely, especially in coastal or industrial regions, a cleaning program should be carried out on a more frequent basis. To clean a powder coated surface, carefully remove any loose deposits with a wet sponge and then use a soft non-abrasive brush or cloth in combination with a mild household detergent solution to remove dust, salt and other residues. Finally rinse all powder coated surfaces with clean water.

How do you make better tyres?

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It’s easy to be sceptical about anyone who says they’re revolutionising tyre design. After all, they are literally trying to re-invent the wheel. Yet if you’re convinced that there’s nothing left to innovate in the world of rubber, tread depth and air pressure, then this AutoExpress article is well worth a read.

In it, the journalists travel to Goodyear in Luxembourg in order to view the latest tyre developments and sneak a peak at the wheels of the future. As they discover, what Goodyear have produced in recent years is already miraculous: the BH-03, for example uses the movement and heat of the tyre to generate electricity, which created the potential for on-board electronics to gather and transmit data about the road and tyre conditions.

But it’s what they still have in store that’s truly impressive. In 20-30 years the company believes that its Eagle 360 tyre design, which has a spherical shape and a brain that moulds its bionic skin to suit the road surface, will actually be in production.

Between now and then, however, the company expects to see the development of smaller tyres carrying heavier loads, due to the proliferation of battery packs, as well as an increase in chip-in-tyre technology to aid the advancements in automated vehicles. The latter also could spell the end of humans having to worry about checking and maintaining their own tyres, leading to much safer driving conditions for everyone on the road.

Lastly, the article features a fascinating insight into how the company designs and manufactures new tread patterns, a process which takes about two years from start to finish. It’s worth reading to get a sense of how much hard work goes into crafting every inch of your tyre – and it certainly makes you appreciate the four rubber rings that help you get from A to B every day!

Get the must have alloy wheel look for 2017

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_bs_8418 According to Oliver Rak, Project Manager at Mercedes Benz, when it comes to what is on trend for alloy wheels this year “It is a continuation of last year’s trends: large formats are still very much ‘in’, as well as are light-alloy wheels with a high-sheen finish, whose allure stems from the contrast between the seemingly bare metal surface and the painted areas.”

This seems in line with trends at Diamond Alloys alloy wheel repair and refurbishment centre in West London. General manager Amerjit Ubhi commented, “Although we do get requests for Shadow Chrome or Gloss black finish, by far the most popular request we have for an alloy wheel finish is a Diamond Cut. The process starts with a thorough strip down and then powder coat which gives the alloy wheel colour. Then the face of the wheel is cut to reveal a shiny metal finish (a bit like a CD); if a dark colour base is chosen the Diamond Cut will really accentuate the design of the rim. The alloy wheel is then lacquered to protect the finish. It’s a great look and I’m not surprised it’s the height of fashion for rims!”

Take a look at some Diamond Cut alloy wheel repairs we have carried out in our London wheel repair workshop.

Do I need Summer Tyres?

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summer-tyres It’s a great question and Diamond Alloys is on hand to help you decide.

Most guidelines suggest summers tyres should be used from April to October. Summer tyres maximum safety performance is achieved at 7+ Celsius degrees where the compounds and the tyre design allow good grip and handling on both wet and dry roads (well it is Britain!). Applying summer tyres will also enhance your driving experience by offering more comfort and lower noise due to resistance and roll which are reduced with summer tyres. You’ll also enjoy a longer tyre life and improved fuel efficiency along with better mileage and steering stability results.

Take note, new summer tyres come with a tread depth of 8 mm. If they fall lower than this the wet grip of summer tyres is reduced. The minimum legal depth in the UK is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread width and around the entire circumference of the tyre. Tread depth that is too low will increase the risk of aquaplaning and can increase your stopping distance so ensure you check them regularly. If they need changing, don’t delay, contact to Diamond Alloys and we will find the right tyres at the right price to meet your budget.