What you need to know about maintaining your wheels and tyres

 

Wheels and tyres of a car the platform it needs to stand tall when stationary and they give the car the ability to move well on the road so maintaining the wheels and tyres of your car is extremely important.

 

What affects wheels and tyres?

 

Tyres and wheels are subject to the elements like any part of your car. The types of things that can affect their condition include:

• Brake dust

• Dirt

• Grime

• Soil and tough terrain (if off-road)

 

Tips you should use to care for wheels and tyres

• Clean your wheels with non-acidic solutions: One commonly accepted view is that you should avoid using acidic or chemical cleaners when you want to clean your wheels once a week. Avoiding acidic cleaners is important because they affect the condition of your wheels.

• Avoid mechanical car washes: The types of brushes that are used in some mechanical car washes can have a negative impact on your wheels. You don’t want your brand new alloys to look different than from when you bought them which is why you should consider washing your wheels down yourself or having a professional to do it. This helps to maintain the life span of your wheels.

• Use microfibre wash mitts: These are good accessories to have when you are cleaning your wheels and tyres because they are efficient without being abrasive. They are also practical which makes them popular with car enthusiasts who want to maintain their cars to the highest standards.

• Clean your tools: When you have finished cleaning your wheels and tyres, it is important to wash the tools that you have used so that they don’t have any debris or grime on them for the next time that you need them.

Caring for wheels and tyres is something that is fun and it is also exciting because you know by doing it you are keeping your car in shape. Follow these top tips to keep your car in good working order for your needs whether you use it as a daily driver or for leisure.

Diamond alloys are a selection of popular accessories in the car industry. More specialists are appearing across the country to help drivers understand what diamond alloys can offer their cars. The main element to understand about these alloys is that they improve the performance and image of your car. The advantages of having diamond alloys for your cars include:

• Personalisation: The automotive market is responding quickly to consumers who want cars that are personalised to their specifications. Marques like MINI which is owned by BMW let people customise to exactly what they want. This is also physically possible with diamond alloys; this is because they are easier to mould when customisation is required.  The Porsche 997 Turbo was customised by a company called D2Turbo which showed off what it can do with a variety of different finishes for the wheels. The details included brushed aluminium and a chrome lip for the wheels.

 

• Colour variety: Shade and tone in colour is important especially for cars that stand out. Diamond alloys come in hues such as silver and grey which adds some variety. The advantage of colour with diamond alloys is that it’s another sign that the car is something special and out of the ordinary.

 

• Allows nimble performance: Car manufacturers know that drivers want a car that has a spring in its step and is able to move the way they want it to. This is why these alloys make the car’s movement more fluid because of the composition of diamond alloys.

 

• Acceleration and braking is made easier: Whether you drive a manual or an automatic, it can be difficult to accelerate and brake depending on what situation you are in. The weight of your wheels plays a significant role in your ability to brake and accelerate. Lightweight diamond alloys are lighter than steel which is known to make wheels heavier. This means that braking is easier to achieve while accelerating is smoother.

 

• Easy to maintain: The rise of alloy specialists and experts means that it is now simple to have your alloys well maintained so that they increase their efficiency for the wheels of your car. Diamond alloy benefits are clearly for drivers who want to stay ahead of the competition when it comes to nurturing their car. The decisive factor in the success of diamond alloys is how lightweight it is.

 

With help from our professionals, your car will be performing the way you want it. Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you.

 

BMW had to rethink its strategy about alloys after customers have complained about its policy on alloys. The background to what happened started when many customers began complaining to the Watchdog programme run by BBC about cracked alloys on their cars. Cracked alloys happen depending on how fragile the components are, how the alloys were welded and crucially how they have been tested.

 

BMW noticed this and the company decided to rectify the situation with a new policy about the alloy wheels. Wieland Bruch, the company spokesman for BMW said: “If cracked wheels do not show excessive damage from for example kerbside contact, they will be refunded without further testing.”

 

Research found that it is the 19-inch alloy wheels that were the source of the majority of these problems. In hindsight, it is good that BMW opted to replace the alloys with no extra cost to the customers who have already purchased BMW cars. The company, which owns prestigious marques like MINI and Rolls-Royce, is known for high standards which is why it approached having replacement alloys as a form of quality control. BMW also set up a customer helpline to deal with queries about replacement alloys.

 

Wieland Bruch also added that customers should go to their local dealers for inspection when they first notice a cracked alloy. This is the procedure instead of having to undergo a test which was cancelled upon review. Bruch said: “We are having a closer look at all cracked wheels now, independently of the 0.3mm variation.”

 

BMW had a thorough approach to engaging with customer queries about the cracked alloys. This shows the company’s commitment to dealing with customer problems. The company has already begun to refund customers for the cracking problems with replacement alloys that suit their cars.

Alloy wheels are like fingerprints – they are unique and they give cars an identity that is difficult to copy elsewhere. Alloy wheels have an offset which is the distance between the centre of the wheel and the hub mounted surface of the wheel itself. The offset of the wheel acts as a barometer for several features of the car such as the car’s suspension system and the steering wheel platform of the car.

 

There are three core features of alloy wheel offsetting. These include:

 

• Positive:  This is when the hub mounted surface moves away from the centre towards the front. Positive alloy offsetting is popular with cars that have rear drive capabilities. Car manufacturers have embraced the benefits of positive alloy offsetting particularly for new cars that have front wheel drive, for example.

 

• Negative:  This involves the hub mounted surface moving to the brake part of the wheel’s centre.

 

• Zero: This involves it being even with the centre of the wheel The options of offsetting for alloy wheels will be engraved into the wheel using a German automotive measuring method called ET which is counted in millimetres. ET stands for Einpresstiefe which means insertion depth.

 

The benefits of understanding alloy wheels offset include that your car will be finely tuned to your specifications because you will choose the alloy wheel specifications that are perfect for your car. This is especially important if you plan to be modifying the wheels of your car often.

 

It’s crucial to have the measurements and understanding of alloy wheel offset absolutely right because it can affect how your wheels turn and move when the car is in motion. It can also affect the power steering capabilities of the car because if you have the wrong offset for your alloy wheels, steering could become difficult even with simple driving manoeuvres. With the correct measurements, alloy wheel offset adds extra durability to your car.

Alloy wheels are the jewels of the body of your car that give it an imposing frame and plenty of character. However, like many man-made items, they are subject to corrosion and needs to be maintained. There is a popular trend of DIY when it comes to alloy wheel maintenance. However, repairing your own alloys is better left to the professionals based on their wide remit of knowledge and expertise. Top advantages of using professional services include:

 

• Convenience: While it might be tempting to try and repair your own alloy wheels, it is actually a time consuming activity. When you have finished a week of work, consider whether you have enough time on the weekend to live your life and repair alloys. This is one of the best reasons to delegate the task to repair professionals because they can work around your schedule to ensure that the job gets done.

 

• Professional: No one can replace the years of experience that alloy wheel specialists have when it comes to repairing alloys. This professionalism counts especially if you need your car for work in which case you need value for money and practicality to come first. Even if you want your alloys to sparkle for style, a professional is the best choice because they can repair your alloys and give you ideas on how to improve the image of your alloys.

 

• Safety: Another benefit of using professionals is they can repair your alloys in complete safety in a way that will not hurt you. Dealing with alloy wheels yourself could be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. Don’t risk your safety to repair alloys when you can consult a professional for their views on how they can safely repair your car alloys.

 

• Latest technology and equipment: If your wheels have rim damage, it can be difficult to think about how you are going to repair them if you are doing it yourself. A professional has an arsenal of tools with the latest technology to help your alloy wheels retain their original strength. Polishing and grinding equipment are examples of the types of technology that wheel repair experts might use.

 

With a snapshot of these benefits, our professional alloy repair experts should be your first stop into rebuilding the look and use of your alloy wheels. With help from our professionals, your car will be performing the way you want it. Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you

Winter is well and truly here with inclement weather difficult to predict at times it is a good idea to make sure your tyres are prepared for bad weather conditions. Take a look at our useful tips and make sure you are ready for a winter frost, icy roads and deep snow.:

1. Ensure your tyres have the correct pressure

2. Make sure your tyres are properly inflated and checked once a month and before any long journey.

3. Check your tyres for damage. If lumps, bulges or cracks are found, you should visit your tyre dealer for a tyres check immediately.

4. Check the tread depth of your tyres. You can check the tread depth by using a 20p coin, you just need to insert the coin into the main grooves of your tyre.

1. What do you do at Diamond Alloys? What are your daily roles and responsibilities?

I am an apprentice at Diamond Alloys. I strip the tyres when they arrive to the center so they are ready to be prepped. I also prep and polish wheels along with some basic care and maintenance tasks required to ensure we offer an all-round great service. I am also responsible for the re-balancing of the wheels after the tyres are put back onto the alloy wheel.

 

2. How did you get into the alloy wheel repair business?

I got to hear about a vacancy for an apprentice at Diamond Alloys though an old teacher that used to teach me mechanics as he knew I was keen to get in at ground level with a company like this. When he told me that there was a job going at Diamond Alloys I immediately called Phil and asked about the job.

 

3. Would you like to specialise in any specific area in the future?

In the future, I would like to specialise in painting alloy wheels. Having seem Zak produce some great custom finishes for our clients I can see this is an interesting aspect to specialize in, so I can keen to learn all I can from him and the techniques he has leant himself.

 

4. What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is when I get the chance to paint an alloy wheel.

 

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

In 5 years’ time, I see still myself still in the alloy wheel refurbishment trade, progressing my way and learning all aspects so I can learn all skills involved in every process, but specialising in paint effects.

 

6. What keeps you out of trouble in your spare time?

In my spare time I love playing my Xbox, going ice skating and doing some other stuff.

 

7. Are you a car fan? What is your dream car, where would you drive it if you had it for 24 hours and who would be sitting beside you?

Yes, I am. My dream car would be a Bugatti and if I had it for 24hours I would drive it round Silverstone Race Track. I haven’t decided who I will take yet…….whoever is being nice to me at the time I guess!

 

8. Which alloys would you choose for your car?

I would choose Ferrari California or BMW M3 wheels.

 

9. What do you think of the Boss?

I think Phil is an alright boss.

 

10. What do you really think of the boss!

Ok, he can be alright sometimes!….:)

For those of you wanting a bit of extra personalisation on your alloys, check out these AMG  alloys which have custom lights attached.

This client had a custom light unit made to fit the centre of his alloys but still wanted a bespoke effect applied to the wheels to give his alloys the extra WOW factor he was looking for. Our trained technicians were happy to speak with the client to find out what he wanted and then offered some ideas that they thought would work well with these glowing red lights. We are confident you will agree the custom multi coloured glitter effect applied to the stunning silver base coat looks great. Now our happy client can show off his unique alloys knowing he personally designed them.

At Diamond Alloys we work to meet any customer’s enquiry. Our latest client knew exactly what he wanted and we were happy to help him to achieve this. If your alloys are looking a bit tired, give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you.

Brake dust is the scourge of anyone who loves cars. It can go into tyres and wheels without mercy and once it is there, it has a corrosive effect on your car. The disadvantages of brake dust include that it can decay the clear coat finishes on the wheels of your car, as well as corroding alloy wheels made from aluminium. This is definitely something that the majority of drivers want to avoid which is why you should use some of the following tips:

• Use appropriate accessories: Cloths are going to be crucial for you when treating brake dust. Even if you take your car to a garage, there will be some home maintenance that you need to do. Always ensure that you have clean cloths without any bacteria on them to ensure that you are cleaning brake dust effectively.

• Find cleaners in your budget: The car industry has manufactured many options for wheel cleaners to suit all types of drivers. While it might seem like a cost that you don’t want to pay initially, it will pay dividends for itself later on for you. Wheel cleaners can be used to tackle brake dust as it settles and to fight the build up of additional brake dust later on.

• Going to the car wash: Having your car checked out every now and then is recommended to avoid the build up of brake dust. One effective tip is going to a thorough car wash where industrial techniques are used. This will help to keep brake dust down to a minimum and it does not involve a lot of heavy lifting from you.

Brake dust is a fact of life for any car that is made from cast-iron and all modern cars suffer from it. Use these preventative tips to ensure that brake dust is kept under control and the life of your newly restored alloys is maintained.

Another Diamond Alloys treatment!

These Mini black alloys wheels have just been given the Diamond Alloy Cut treatment. This technique involves cleaning the alloys using a specialist alloy wheel jet machine which ensures all dirt, tar, and grit is removed completely. At Diamond alloys we are dedicated to ensuring all customer requests are met and our trained technicians work closely with customers to get the desired finished look.  Why don’t you treat your car to a new look? Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 or email us at sales@diamondalloys.co.uk  and our skilled technicians can recommend a service perfect for you.