Bigger wheels are definitely on the rise as they are hugging the body frames of many cars from your classic saloons to luxury performance car models such as the Aventador. Let’s look at whether these wheels will be better for your car in the long run.

Bigger wheels look fantastic
One reason why bigger wheels have been chosen by many drivers is because of the style accent that it gives the exterior. They capture attention of anyone who sees the car going down the road in addition to any extra details such as rims standing out as well.

Wheels should be in proportion to your car

Despite the craze towards big wheels at the moment, the standard option for a good driving experience is to have wheels that are in proportion to the size of the car that you own. While it might be tempting, wheels that actually fit your car is the better option whether you are driving a Ford or a Ferrari. The thing you also need to know about larger wheels is they are heavier and this will lead your car to be slower – this isn’t ideal if you have a sports car or you like the sporty cars.

Lightweight wheels are ideal
In order to keep performance razor-sharp, it’s important to look for wheels or alloys that will enhance performance, not drag it down. This is something bigger wheels are guilty of because of their heavier weight. When a wheel is rotating, it should be going at the same speed. If the wheel is heavier, then it can be harder to have control of. Lightweight wheels do not have this problem at all. Lightweight wheels are easier to steer because the weight is shaved off them.

Low profile tyres are best
Low tyre sidewalls help to keep the tyre’s tread flat on the ground which is better for performance. Bigger wheels are more trouble because they can’t stay as flat on the ground as low profile tyres can. Forged low profile tyres supercharge performance because they are lighter off the ground.

Forging wheels help the car be more lightweight
Alloy wheels which are forged are ideal because they have more strength and they can resist the elements and effects better such as cracking and bending. Wheel manufacturers know that forging wheels is a process that can be expensive despite its benefits which is why cast centres are paired with forged barrels in the ‘spinning process’.

Ultimately, replacing your standard wheels with lightweight alloy wheels which are not as big or bulky enhances your car in a way that bigger wheels can’t do. It does this by considerably improving how the tyres interact with the road and the driving performance. Improved performance is a top priority for automotive enthusiasts who want the best in performance for driving.

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1. What do you do at Diamond Alloys?
II receive or remove the wheel and check for any damage the tyre and alloy may have. I then strip the wheel, help prepare the wheel for refurbishment and then when the alloy is complete I prepare it ready to be fitted and balanced.

2. What did you do before joining Diamond Alloys?
I was a technician at my local garage.

3. Why did you want to work in a workshop environment?
I have always worked in a workshop environment since I left school. I think it is what I do best. Plus I love cars, so it is great to be working in the industry.

4. What’s the best part of your job?
To see happy customers driving away with their alloy wheels refurbished.

5. What would you do if you were not a tyre fitter?
I would be a world champion touring car racer.……my ambitions are small!

6. How would you like to progress your skills at Diamond Alloys?
I would like to learn every aspect of the organisation, learn new skills on the job,  and help expand the business.

7. What are your alloys like on your own car?
Expensive!

8. If you could drive any car, what would it be, where would you drive it and who would be sitting next to you?

Nothing beats a spiritual drive by myself in my very own Escort Cosworth…what a car!

9. What gives you job satisfaction?
I get job satisfaction out of working with a team because I think this makes the work more efficient and gives you great team spirit. I joined Diamond Alloys for few months but already feel part of the team.

10. Should customers remove and replace tyres on their own?
If they have the right equipment. If not then good luck with that! Diamond Alloys customers offer removal, refitting and balancing for FREE all part of the service, so I would suggest people let us just do it for them.

 11. What advice can you give customers on how to maintain their tyres?
I would recommend they check their tyres before and after any long journey regularly checking the thread depth and tyre pressure. You can check the thread depth by using a 20p coin, you just need to insert the coin into the main grooves of your tyre and if the outer band of the 20p coin is visible, your tread depth may be illegal and you should have them checked by a qualified tyre specialist. Keep an eye of budges too as this is an indication there is a problem with the tyre.  Also, to extend life of your tyres make sure you read our caring tips for wheels and tyres.

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

I attend race meetings and I am a big fan of British Touring Car Racing

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

I see myself driving in a Racing Championship sponsored by Diamond Alloys.

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We love to receive feedback from our customers and we have had plenty of positive feedback this week.  We are always pleased to see our customers drive away happy with their newly refurbished alloy wheels. To achieve this our trained technicians always work closely with clients to ensure their alloy wheels get the refurbishment they desire.

Latest customer Amar came into our wheel refurbishment to refurbish the alloys of his Mercedes Benz AMG last week and he was very impressed when he collected his newly finished Diamond Cut wheels.  He was very happy, not only because his alloys looked exactly how he wanted, but also with the service that came with the work and  left us some great feedback along with some superb pictures of his finished wheels “Thanks to Diamond alloys and Emily for great custom and service”.

Take a look at Amar’s stunning alloy wheels which have been diamond cut first and then silver painted.

If your alloys have seen better days, had a few scrapes and dents, then give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you.  You can choose from a range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke refurbishment, a standard refurbishment or our most popular service a Diamond Cut. Take advantage of our special offer in June, visit our Facebook page now!

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From some of the pictures that have already been revealed, Renaud Marion’s rendering of wheel-less vehicles is taking the online world by storm. The French artist has called his series of photographs ‘Air Drive’ and it definitely gives a futuristic look on how cars could work without wheels. Traditional thinking would be that wheels are essential features of any car which is why ‘Air Drive’ is so compelling. Marion said that he was inspired by classic cartoon series like the Jetsons and 80s classics like Back to the Future.

Marion envisioned wheel-less cars on models like the Mercedes-Benz SL, the Cadillac DeVille and the Jaguar XK120. The results in the photography look almost cosmic, like cars that belong in outer space with NASA probes. This photography series proves the importance of wheels in being the defining features that make a car truly a car. This is one thing that all enthusiasts from Ferrari fans to Lamborghini aficionados can agree on – the wheels make the car the finished product we expect.

Whether for pleasure or for work it is essential that your wheels are kept in 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, make sure to read our tips.

At Diamond Alloys we offer a balancing service for FREE and if your alloys are in for repair we can also quote your for new tyres too! Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and don’t forget to give us a like on Facebook, we have just launched special offers only available on Facebook and Twitter!

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1.What do you do at Diamond Alloys?

I am the head painter, responsible for all the quality control we carry out. I am very lucky as I have an experienced team of painters and prep guys who help me to ensure we always do a first class job.

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

I tried a few things in my career until an opportunity came up and I turned my hand to painting. I am very happy here at Diamond Alloys and I have natural skill for colour mixing and matching.

3. What did you do before?

My last job was as a glass blower producing neon signs, so a little different, but I guess still creative.

4.What is your favourite paint effect?

A chrome effect. We are often asked for chrome alloys but what I usually suggest is to choose a chrome effect. In fact chrome-plated alloy wheels are more delicate than other alloy wheels and to refurbish them is more expensive plus the quality declines more quickly than a standard paint refurb.  A chrome finish lasts longer and is good value for money.

5.What’s the best part of your job?

I love all aspects of my job. I enjoy working with a great team that cares about the finish we achieve which is a very important philosophy at Diamond Alloys. I like the creative part of my job, it is really exciting trying always new effects and rewarding to find the perfect wheel and colour match a customer is looking for.

6. What was your worst job?

Office work. I feel restricted by the tasks and I couldn’t be creative.

7. What would you do if you were not a painter?

Maybe I would be involved in building work. I like producing finished products that customers can really enjoy.

8. What are your alloys like on your own car?

They are not too bad actually. They probably need a bit of attention, but I am so busy at work they always seem to be back of the queue. 

9. If you could drive any car, what would it be, where would you drive it and who would be sitting next to you?

I would choose a comfortable cruising car, a Range Rover with all the gadgets and gizmos with a beautiful lady by my side.

10. What is your job satisfaction?

Making sure we offer a professional service to the highest standards which means we treat every alloy the same; it makes no difference if they are a supercar, a classic car or an everyday run around, they all get star treatment.

11. How should customers look after a painted alloy?

I would recommend they clean at least once a week and they avoid using acidic or chemical cleaners. Also, avoid mechanical car washes as the types of brushes that are used in some mechanical car washes can have a negative impact on your wheels. I would recommend they use microfibre wash mits because they are efficient without being abrasive.

12. Who is your inspiration?

My mum.

13. What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a pilot.

14. Should customers be wary of smart repairs?

Yes, it is not a total refurbishment. You will always get a better and lasting finish by using a centre compared to a smart repair. Also we take a lot of care to ensure the wheels are removed to repair and fixed back properly. You get an all-round service at Diamond Alloy.

15. Has the new powder coat system improved your job? And if so, how?

Tenfold! It is much faster, you get much better coverage over the surface of the wheel. All alloys come in different sizes and designs, some have lots of spokes and a wet paint finish made it difficult to get inside the spokes, so it was very time consuming, but the new powder system makes it easier to apply the powder in the hard to reach areas, it almost sucks the paint into place!

16. What do you think of the new system?

To say I am impressed is an understatement!

17. Why does powder coating give a better finish than just painting a wheel?

Well, the paint sort of melts onto the wheel when it is hot, evening out the finish beautifully. The heat sort of helps the paint to flow.

18. What has been the main advantage of adding this new system?

Well quality of finish for sure. But also we can now turn the wheels around much faster, not only does it mean we can get through more wheels in a day but for the client it means they can have the wheels back on their car and they can be back on the road without too much delay. We know this is really important to the customer and it helps keep their costs down too.

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