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Diamonds are a Car’s Best Friend

range-rover-alloysOnce you start looking into repairs that will preserve the aesthetics of your car’s wheels, it won’t be long before your research leads you to the phrase ‘diamond cut finish’, or ‘diamond cutting’. This is because a diamond cut is widely regarded as the crème de la crème of alloy finishes, one that provides the highest possible quality and precision, giving your wheels a prestigious, high calibre look.

Diamond cutting works by finely cutting the alloy wheel on a lathe, removing only what metal is required – nothing more, nothing less. The process starts, however, with a specialist clean of your wheel, completely removing all dirt, grit and tar, ensuring that our team can make a thorough examination and decide on the best possible repair for the damage.

vw-caddy-van-alloy-wheel-refurbishmentAfter the cleaning the wheel is powder coated, allowing for a smoother finish once the repair is complete. Then comes the precision cutting, which leaves a pure, shiny finish. Following this expert diamond cut comes a coating of scratch-proof lacquer, after which the wheel is baked in the oven and then carefully inspected to ensure it meets our quality standards.

Even if you’re not fanatical about your wheel aesthetics, it’s worth considering a diamond cut repair because many car companies fit diamond cut alloys to their vehicles as standard. If your car is intended to come with this style of alloys then it’s worth preserving the continuity, not just to ensure the car looks its best but also to give yourself the best possible chance of attracting a high resale price should you ever come to put it on the market.

If you have any questions about our diamond cutting repair service, or want to know whether it’s appropriate for your wheels, then please do get in touch.

Do you need separate insurance for your alloys?

IMG_4584-2Car insurance is no-one’s favourite topic, particularly when it comes to situations that might require you to fork out more money. Yet if you’re considering adding alloy wheels to your car, or buying a new car that already has alloy wheels attached, then there are several insurance-related issues you need to consider.

Whichever way you look at it, the sad reality is that alloy wheels will probably increase your premiums. This is because they’re considered a premium product and they’re more easily defaced by kerbing, minor scrapes and general environmental factors. Not only does this mean they may need repair or replacement more often, but scuffed alloy wheels can even lower the resale value of a car.

alloy-wheel-refurbishmentThe good news, however, is that most everyday types of alloy wheels shouldn’t actually raise your premiums by that much. The consumer advice website MoneySupermarket, for example, estimates that alloys should only raise premiums by around 8%, whereas modifications like spoilers will bump you up 23%, specialised paintwork 36% and turbocharging a whopping 132%! Even having a car phone will raise your premiums higher, as it apparently increases the chance of your car being broken into.

IMG_9586-2So what should you do if you think you might need insurance for your new alloys? Every circumstance is different, but in general it’s a good idea to:

– Be honest with insurers. Some companies don’t raise premiums for minor modifications on your car, and being honest about what you have means that they have no excuse not to pay out if anything does go wrong. Remember that not declaring a modification could also invalidate your policy.

– Shop around. The growth of comparison sites has created a very competitive market and it can be possible to find a much cheaper quote by looking around a little.

– Look out for the small print. Some companies stipulate that they’ll only insure certain types of alloys, and have different ideas about what a reasonable excess should be.

What colour should your alloy wheels be?

custom-alloy-wheel-paintOne of the questions we get asked a lot is ‘what colour should my alloy wheels be?’ This is often because people see car manufacturers introducing models with particular colours of alloy, particularly for higher end cars, and assume that there is a right way and a wrong way to style their car.

Fortunately, however, the truth is that there is no right answer to the above question – your alloys can be any colour you choose! We think that your car’s wheels should both complement the rest of the car and your own personal aesthetic, but there are no strict rules on how to do this. Although the majority of alloys you see on the road will probably be silver, there are a thousand different colours and styles for you to choose from.

IMG_4708-2Black, for example, is becoming a very popular choice for discerning car owners, especially those with sportier models. (Let’s save the philosophical argument about whether or not black is actually a colour later!) Black goes with a wide variety of body colours, and is also a great base for two-tone diamond cut colours if you want to get really arty!

custom_alloy_wheel_refurbishment (4)If your personality is a bit more flamboyant, how about a bright colour? There’s the whole spectrum to choose from, with metallic sheens like gold and bright sporty colours like orange able to completely transform the look of your car. You can further expand on the almost limitless range of colours by opting for custom effects such as marbling, which can create a truly eye-catching result.

range-rover-alloy-wheelsLet’s not forget silver painted finishes, of course, which can vary from super-bright metallics to flat powerful greys such as gunmetal. Anthracite, a near-black grey with a distinctive sheen, is becoming a go-to choice for many drivers looking to update their look.

Get Ready for Your Winter Car Care Regime – Part Four

After a thorough wash your wheels might now look spotless, but there’s sadly still the chance there may be residual break dust and another corrosive elements attached to the paint. In this last blog winter care regime blog we look at one of the ways to ensure your alloys are absolutely pristine – even at the level undetectable by the human eye.
Clay detailing is a brilliant technique that guarantees great results – although its still relatively unknown by the car-driving community at large. Simple use of a clay bar provides not only a deep shine but also gives you peace of mind that pollution has been banished from your alloys.

img_6139-2Wheel detailing clay usually comes in a bar, and feels a bit like putty when you first touch it. All you need is one of these bars, available from shops like Halfords, plus a suitable lubricant (which you’ll find usually next to the clay in the shop) and you’re ready to clean your alloys like they’ve never been cleaned before. The trick is to only use a portion of the clay bar at a time – that way it’s easier to work in between the spokes, and if you drop it you still have a supply of clean clay to use!

After spraying a small amount of lubricant on the area of focus (it’s best to do the wheel in segments), just flatten the clay over your fingers and gently rub it over the wheel. Make sure you cover every area, and pay particular attention to any black spots. You’ll be amazed at how much dirt you see transferred to the clay! You can fold the clay over to create a new ‘clean’ surface, but don’t do this if it falls onto the ground – you may have picked up bits of grit that will scratch the alloy.
Once you’ve made a couple of passes over the area with the clay, give it another quick spray with the lubricant or a similar detailer and hey presto! Perfectly clean alloys. All you have to do now is give them a final wax or polish, depending on what’s more suitable for your wheels, and they’ll be as good as new.

Get Ready for Your Winter Wheels Care Regime – Part Three

car-wheels-foamSo you’ve got your tools, you’ve protected your alloys from brake dust – now how do you actually clean them? Follow our step-by-step guide below for foolproof, sparkling results. You can incorporate this as part of your regular car cleaning regime, but we’d advise washing the wheels before the rest of the car – this ensures you don’t have dirt and brake dust splashing over your clean bodywork!

  1. Clean your tyres and wheel wells using specialist tyre cleaner and brushes – this stops you making a mess over your clean alloys later. Remember that your tyre brush should be stiff and should under no circumstances be used on your alloys!
  2. Give your wheels a thorough rinse

This helps to remove brake dust and any loose dirt, saving you work later. Ideally you want to create a hard stream of water so a hose is best, or you can use a plastic water bottle if you’re in a pinch!

  1. wheel-cleanApply the wheel cleaner

Follow the instructions on the cleaner you’ve chosen – they really are there for a reason!

  1. Scrub the wheel with your soft alloy brush

Your soft brush will gently work away all that grime and brake dust, without damaging the surface of your alloy. Remember to keep the alloy wet throughout the process (otherwise you’ll ruin your finish) and work all around the back and front of the wheel to ensure you scrub off all the dirt. Your clean and dirty water buckets will come in very handy here.

  1. jet-washRinse everything thoroughly. There’s no point scrimping at this stage so go to town with your hose or buckets.
  2. Dry your wheels with a towel

For best results you’ll have to dry your wheels manually – it stops water spots appearing and ensures you get the optimum finish. Your towel will accumulate residual brake dust over time so never use this on other parts of your car, unless you like the corroded paint look.

Now you’ve mastered the basic thorough clean of your wheels you’re ready for clay detailing, which can be done straight after this process. Stay tuned for our next blog to find out how to master the art and ensure you remove every last bit of dirt and dust from your wheels.

A Picture Tells a Thousand Words

Ever wondered exactly what happens after you’ve dropped off your alloys for repair? If you don’t have time to look through our previous blogs for details of individual processes, why not watch our quick new video, which provides a step-by-step guide in just a minute and a half?

Commencing at the point where we separate the alloy from the tyre, the video takes you through many of the complex processes we use to make your alloys look as good as new – although our experts do make them look easy!

One of the things many people find particularly fascinating is the alloy oven, in which we bake your wheels to ensure the coating adheres successfully and provides a high quality, smooth and long lasting finish.

Other interesting aspects are sanding, priming, powder coating and re-balancing – although some people have also expressed surprise at the fact that we give every part an ID number, which is essential in ensuring we don’t mix up your wheels!

These new McLaren wheels are very much of this earth

When you think of top hypercar brand McLaren, the pictures that normally form in your mind are of shiny metal, perfect symmetry and huge, roaring engines. It is typical of the brand’s innovative thinking, therefore, that their new wheels are entirely the opposite of this – their design instead taken from the chaotic and unpredictable life found in nature

The keystone of their inspiration for these wheels is tree roots, giving rise to a unique design that’s never before been seen on an automobile. It’s no surprise that they’re looking to nature for their design concepts – after all the most beautiful concepts in art and mathematics are all rooted here (excuse the pun) – but it is symptomatic of the marque’s fearlessness and confidence in their audience.

Whereas ‘normal’ wheels have symmetrical spokes, the McLaren designs will borrow the intricate patterns formed by roots to create new, lightweight and entirely irregular wheels. While we’re yet to see the design, we’re going to go out on a limb (or should that be branch?) and say these may be the most eye-catching wheels ever made.

Those with an engineering mindset will appreciate how difficult it will be to create these wheels, something that’s little concern to perfection-obsessed McLaren but a significant deterrent to anyone looking to copy their designs. Not only will wheels inspired by roots be beautiful, but they also have other surprising benefits – because the spokes will be curvy, there is much less impact on the centre of the wheel when the wheel gets hit. It’s looking like the lightweight, think spokes will be counterbalanced by material behind them, which in turn will add extra strength to the whole design.

The wheels are due to grace the McLaren P1 at some point in the near future – we’ll bring you pictures as soon as we can.

Get Ready for Your Winter Care Regime – Part Two

car-detail-dressing-tyresWhile you can just have a go at cleaning your wheels with whatever you’ve got lying around in the shed, if you want to establish a good cleaning regime you might as well go the whole hog and stock up on a proper kit. Here’s everything you need to ensure you can keep your alloys in tip-top condition.

Wheel and Tire Cleaner
The main thing to look for when selecting a cleaner is that it’s safe for your type of wheels. Beyond that, it’s a good idea to find a de-greaser that’s specifically designed for detailing – remember that it’s always better to buy two specific products than one catch-all, as all-in-one products can include harmful chemicals or produce less-than-perfect effects.

car-detail-dressing-tyreWheel and Tire Brushes
Alloys can be very susceptible to scratches, meaning that it’s imperative that you find a soft brush that won’t damage your wheels. For tyre brushes, look for the opposite: a firm brush that’s flexible enough to contour to the tyre wall. This will save your wrists aching as you scrub the tyre surface, and make the job quicker. Whatever you do, DON’T use a tyre brush on the wheel, as you could cause serious damage.

Wheel  Detailing Clay
Detailing clay is amazing stuff that can remove the stuck-on contaminants that are present even after regular washing. It’s worth having some of this in your washing arsenal for those moments where you despair at ever getting the wheels clean – this will cheer you up in an instant!

car-detail-wheels-snow-foamBuckets
It may sound obvious, but you’ll need somewhere to put the water! You’ll need at least two – one for clean water, one for dirty.

We’ll show you how to put these tools to good use in the next blog.

Good Things Can Lurk in the Shadows…

shadow-chrome-alloysStuck for a kick-ass new look for your alloys? If none of the standard finishes float your boat, but you’d really like to update your aesthetic, then why not consider a shadow chrome effect?

To the untrained eye the shadow effect looks quite similar to that on other alloys, but it actually requires a substantial amount of skill to achieve. The effect was created in Italy and first used on high-end marques in the early 1990s, which is why people instinctively associate it with luxury and quality today.

Of course, because the high end cars had shadow effect alloys, the other car manufacturers wanted to introduce them too. Now it’s possible to see shadow effects on any car, but most of the time this will still only be on those where the car’s owner or manufacturer have taken the time to create a high quality appearance.

A shadow chrome effect, unlike the traditional silver paint, produces a gun metal finish that is darker and more refined in appearance. To create a true shadow effect you need expert technicians, such as the ones we have here, who can coat the alloys with a powder layer before applying heat – something that allows the powder to melt and coat the alloy like a second skin. Once the powder is cured the alloy is sprayed with a specialist shadow chrome paint, then varnished with a thin coat of clear lacquer to ensure that it’s protected from the elements.shadowchrome-banner-1_sm_da18_1

A shadow chrome effect gives your alloys a striking finish, giving them a three-dimensional, nuanced look that’s impossible to achieve through other methods. Diamond Alloys can apply the shadow effect when repairing your wheels, or simply update your aesthetic if you feel like you’re in need of a new look – this is particularly useful if you’re about to put your car on the market for sale.

Get Ready for Your Winter Care Regime – Part One

alloy-wheel-break-dustWinter is on its way, and the harsher weather conditions mean that it’s time to step up your wheel cleaning regime to ensure your alloys stay pristine through the coming cold months.

To help you, we’re publishing a series of blogs outlining how to get the most from your cleaning process, including a series of easy – and affordable! – steps that are perfect for those who are just learning how to care for alloys for the first time.

In this blog we talk about brake dust – the scourge of alloys everywhere! – and what you can do to protect your wheels before winter sets in.

break-dustBrake dust is something that affects all alloy wheels, regardless of their shape and size. It is the product of the friction between the brake disks and brake pads – friction which produces dust that flies off and sticks to your rims. Because the dust is corrosive, ugly and difficult to remove, brake dust is best tackled as soon as it’s spotted.

Unlike normal dust, removing it takes quite a bit of effort – because the dust is actually a mixture of carbon fibre, metal and glue that is heated to a very high temperature. Because of this, it sticks hard to your rims and starts corroding the protective coatings instantly, a process that only increases as time goes by because the metal filings oxidise and initiate a process of galvanic corrosion. To cut a long story short, left unchecked brake dust can actually compromise the structural integrity of your rim.

Fortunately, there are three common methods of controlling brake dust. These are:

  1. Fit low dust brake pads to your car.

There are a variety of aftermarket options available here – simply look for ones with Kevlar-based compounds or high metal content compounds. Ask for advice if you’re not sure.

  1. Fit dust shields to your rims.

These are pretty much what it says on the tin – shields that hide the rim from the brake calipers, while not getting in the way of ventilation. Please note that these aren’t suitable for high performance cars, and many people don’t like the way they look.

  1. Stick to a proper wheel care regime.

This is the best way to keep your alloys in tip-top condition, and we’ll bring you washing and care tips in our coming blogs.

diamond-alloys-wheel-repair