How Road Wheel Weights Affect the Performance of Your Car

Wheel weight is one of the most important features of a car. It might not be able obvious to the naked eye initially but wheel weight plays a crucial role in how your car works. Magnesium wheels are the most common types of wheels used for track and motorsport because of how lightweight they are. However, they are not strong enough for road use which is why manufacturers of wheels are responding to this by creating lightweight aluminium alloy wheels.

Manufacturers know that less weight on a car will make it a sharper and smoother ride. One of the first places that weight can be shaved off a car is the wheels. Manufacturers want to reduce the unsprung weight. This is defined as the weight of the springs of the car when the car is in motion on rough surfaces. In additional to the rotational weight of the car, manufacturers are looking at all aspects of the wheels to keep the weight down. Less weight means that the car uses less energy to move. This lies at the core of a car being performance-enhanced for motorists who want a car that performs to the high standards they require for luxurious and sporty driving.

The benefits of refurbishing 4 wheels at the same time

Scuffed and damaged alloy wheels can really let your car down. At Diamond Alloys our trained technicians can return your alloys wheels to their original factory fresh condition.  We offer a wide range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke alloy refurbishment, standard refurbishment and our most popular Diamond Cut service.

 

We can repair one wheel at a time as required or the whole set in one go. We do all we can to ensure a close match as possible to your original alloy wheel, but for a perfect match we do recommend you have 4 wheels done at the same time.

 

The benefit to refurbish a set of 4 wheels is all wheels will match exactly, so there will be no slight variation in colour match for paints or finish for lacquers.

 

If you choose a Diamond Cut Refurbishment, a small layer of metal is cut away, which will change the profile slightly and as a result not match your other wheels exactly. This will be less obvious on wide spokes, like a 5 spoke wheel pictured here, but on wheels with many smaller spokes, the cut will be more noticeable due to the design of the wheel. However, our technicians are highly skilled and using a diamond cut machine is more accurate and will remove less metal than other cutting techniques.

 

Don’t forget, have all 4 wheels refurbished at the same time and not only get a set that perfectly match in colour and finish, but you also get a reduced price! Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 now!

 

Our Latest Happy Customer

At Diamond Alloys we are always happy to meet our customers’ enquiries. One of our most recent customers Mark wanted a new look for his Jaguar FX and asked us to refurbish it to his specific requirements so that it had a unique look. Have a look at how different these alloy wheels were when they came to our alloy wheel refurbishment centre compared to after, they look stunning and completely renewed!

 

Our client was truly astonished, not only because his car looked exactly how he wanted, but also with the service that came with the car. Once the black paint effect has been applied to these alloys, they have had a Diamond Cut lip added and a coat of protective lacquer applied.

 

At Diamond Alloys, we have invested heavily in our machinery and in our highly skilled technicians so we can offer our clients the best possible service.  You can choose from a range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke alloy refurbishment, a standard refurbishment or our most popular service a Diamond Cut.  Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you.

How Do Winter Wheels Work?

Winter wheels are a rising sector of the tyres and car accessories market with drivers. One of the main reasons why winter wheels are chosen by motorists is because of the extra grip that they give cars.  In Europe, it is common to have a separate set of tyres for winter and summer. This is why it is so surprising for the UK that only summer tyres are used for winter. This presents a huge opportunity for motorists to improve the quality of their driving during winter.

Should we change our approach to winter wheels?
Winter wheels are not subject to the harsh realities of winter or the tough roads that you can come across that can have potholes, for example. Protecting our cars means choosing winter wheels can go a long way especially if winter is a prolonged season and if there are more weather elements such as snow and ice.

One fun fact about these types of wheels is they have ‘sipes’. These are grooves in the tyres that allow the car to grip the surface that it is on easily. This is why the motorists in the UK should consider transitioning to winter wheels.

Winter wheels are not just about extreme weather. They transform cars during winter to be the vehicles that we expect them to be.

Alloy Wheels or Steel Wheels

Alloy wheels and steel wheels have always been in a competitive race as to which type of wheel wins with consumers. It can be difficult to choose between the two however alloy wheels have the edge. Here’s why:

 

• Superb heat conduction: Alloy wheels are known for being able to conduct heat properly. This is ideal for drivers who are conscious about the impact that their car will have on the environment.

• Makes the car agile and nimble: The handling of a car is something that motoring journalists are always talking about. This is because it is really important to judge the handling of the car which alloy wheels give with efficiency.

• Stronger: Steel wheels can’t compete with how strong alloy wheels are. If you are a driver that prides on having a car that is built on strength, this is especially vital for 4×4 cars or prestige cars that couples and families can use.

• Lightweight: Alloy wheels are lightweight which makes it easy for the car to react to whatever obstacles the car can come across. Alloy wheels can also react to the elements quickly.

• Racing flair: For drivers who want an injection of the track, alloy wheels give them the racer’s edge that they require. This is because of how manufacturers have innovated to create wheels that are razor-sharp.

 

Ultimately, as more alloy wheels are chosen by motorists, it will become more mainstream. For lucky drivers who already know about the innovation that alloy wheels have, enjoying them is simple with Diamond Alloys.  You can choose from a range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke alloy refurbishment, a standard refurbishment or our most popular service a Diamond Cut. Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service for you.

Our Latest Stunning Alloys Wheels

Every car needs to look its best and alloys wheels make a stunning embellishment to your car. However, they can be scuffed or damaged easily while driving and parking, so should to be maintained to keep them looking at their best.

Have a look at these damaged alloys, which have just arrived at our London Refurbishment Centre and see how a bespoke alloy refurbishment can bring them back to life.

As pictured below, these alloys wheels are the result of a Diamond Cut process, which is very precise, only taking off the smallest amount of metal to remove the damage ad bring back the profile desired. We know you will agree these look stunning!

At Diamond Alloys, we offer a wide range of alloy wheel refurbishments including a bespoke alloy refurbishment, standard refurbishment and our most popular Diamond Cut service. With help from our trained technicians, your car will be looking the way you want it. Give us a call on 0845 370 8881 and we can recommend a service perfect for you!

 

Our Latest Custom Finish Service

Alloy wheels look great, but every day wear and tear from kirbing along with deterioration from brake dust will eventually make them lose their lustre.

Just take a look at how badly these alloy wheels were when they arrived to our alloy wheel refurbishment centre for our standard alloy repair.

With some care and attention from our technicians they looked shiny and new! Take a close look at these alloys, which have been given a standard refurbishment.

Our trained technicians are highly skilled and work closely with clients to ensure their allow wheels get the refurbishment they desire. We have plenty of options available to achieve bespoke alloys, diamond cut or a standard finish.

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. Don’t forget, we offer re-valve, balancing and re-fitting services for FREE!

To make sure your alloys keep looking their best for longer, be sure to read our advice on caring  for your alloy wheels after a refurbishment too.

Diamond Alloys Latest News Makes the Bodyshop Magazine

February’s edition of the Bodyshop Magazine has just been released and we are delighted to have been featured in their news section.

 

The Bodyshop Magazine is the industry bible for body shop repairs and alloy wheel repairs so this is a real seal of approval for Diamond Alloys and great that they have given us priority space in their news section. The piece highlights the recent purchase of Diamond Alloys by prestige Car Hire Mogul Dee Bhatia at Signature Car Hire.

 

Diamond Alloys would like to thank The Bodyshop Magazine for their continued support, which included the feature article which covered the launch of Diamond Alloys in 2012 August issue.

2013 is the year of glow in the dark roads

The Netherlands is a country that has taken an innovative approach to driving on motorways. A ‘Smart Highway’ system is being launched this year which will feature a road that glows in the dark. This is in order to warn motorists that the roads are icy or have frost during the cold periods of the year.

 

The ‘Smart Highway’ was the brainchild of two Dutch companies, Studio Roosegaarde and Heijmans Infrastructure. The glow on the road can last up to 10 hours per night. Tests found that it can even take away the need for street lighting which proves the environmentally friendly aspect of the initiative.

 

The features of the road include that it is temperature sensitive. This means that there is paint that shows off ice crystals that indicate when the temperature is below freezing point. This helps drivers know if it is too slippery to drive on.
The researchers want to promote energy-saving with this initiative. One idea is that the road should only illuminate when other motorists are around so that the energy is not wasted on an empty road.

 

The initiative has already won accolades and an award. It won the Best Future Concept at the popular Dutch Designer Awards. It has already been introduced in the province of Brabant in the Netherlands. Could this be something that could work in the UK? Only time will tell if the UK will also illuminate at night for evening motorists.

 

The essence of wheel spoke design

Wheel spoke design lies at the heart of the aesthetic philosophy of some of the most treasured marques in the world. The way the wheel is designed tells customers and enthusiasts a lot about how the marque sees innovation and beauty in motoring. There are several types of wheel spoke design looks which include:

 

5-spoke design
This type is spotted on many wheels and it has definitely captured the attention of drivers. It can be seen on a wide variety of cars from prestige cars to family cars. Drivers who want to have a touch of personalisation in their wheels can choose from the variety of 5-Spoke alloy wheels. Alloy wheels make it easier for specialists to make edgy and unique versions of traditional 5-spoke designs. 5-spoke design is meant to mimic the shape of a star which is a stunning representation of the mystery and visual beauty of cars for drivers.

 

Multiple spoke design
Multiple spokes are done using metal alloys which are malleable. This type of design can include up to 20 spokes in a single wheel. This design suits cars which are complex and have a detailed finish to them. There is almost a tapestry-look and feel to these wheels because wheel specialists have to work with mathematical precision to keep the spokes close together.

 

3-spoke design
The classic car image is achieved with the 3-spoke design which is definitely classed as vintage. They would suit drivers who want to add the finishing details to a retro exterior for an authentic vintage look.

 

Split-spoke design
This is when the spokes are slices down the middle to leave a space between a single spoke. It is also known double spoke design. This looks fantastic on SUV cars because of the added grandeur it gives them.

 

Y-Spoke design
This is when the spokes tend to look like the letter Y. It is a mixture of split spokes and cross-wire spoke design to give that letter image. It is almost like calligraphy on a wheel. This detailed oriented approach to wheel design also provides strong structural support for the wheel itself.

 

Whether you want the diamond spoke design that gleams in sunlight or you prefer classic designs, a wheel specialist can give you the image that you want because of their expertise. Choose your favourite design today to get started to make your car look the part on the road.