Brake dust - Could it be destroying your Alloy Wheels?

When you've invested a lot of money in a set of gleaming alloy wheels, you'll want to keep them looking their best. But there is one common enemy of the alloy wheel that you may not be aware of and which could cause permanent unsightly damage.

Brake dust is a substance that is constantly in contact with the wheels of your vehicle. As the brakes and brake pads rub together when you apply pressure to the brake pedal, friction is caused and brake dust is created. The resulting dust is deposited on any nearby surfaces, including your alloy wheels, tyres and the underside of your vehicle.

Why is brake dust so damaging? What's in it?

Brake dust consists of a combination of different materials - metal filings, carbon fibres and adhesive residues. None of these materials are very good for your alloy wheels and as a result, brake dust needs to be removed often in order to prevent damage. The adhesive compounds in brake dust are one of the most damaging and could cause galvanic corrosion if they are left to set in. This corrosion not only causes your rims to look unsightly, but could also affect the structural integrity of your alloy wheels.

Good news! You can stop this damage in its tracks

There are many ways that you can control brake dust and stop it from affecting the appearance and durability of your rims.

Some advice from our alloy wheel specialists:

• Retrofit low dust brake pads - kevlar-based and high metal content compounds can be very effective.
• Fit dust shields- this is quite self explanatory, but dust shields will sit between the ril and the wheel hub to protect your rims from any stray dust.
• Establish a good wheel care routine - to keep your rims looking their absolute best, wash them weekly and consider applying wheel sealant every quarter.

Why it's crucial to give your wheels extra attention in the winter

Regular washing of your wheels will ensure they stay looking and performing their best, and it's especially important to pay special attention to your wheels during the winter months. It might seem pointless to wash your wheels in the winter when they are being lashed by rain and even snow, but believe us, it's one of the critical times to do so.

Cleaning your alloys in winter will rid them of dust, dirt and road salt - this can also be very damaging. In fact, road salt can cause etching and permanent damage if left to settle on your wheels so taking extra care now will ensure your rims are in perfect condition for all of that summer cruising coming up.

Need more advice? Get in touch with our alloy experts

At Dentfix, we have years of experience when it comes to alloy wheel care. Whether you are looking for alloy wheel repairs or you want some advice on how to keep yours gleaming, get in touch with our team.

Things to know before buying those new rims

You might not 'need' those alloy wheels, but you most definitely 'want' them. Alloy wheels are popular because of their aesthetic properties - they look good! But before you start splashing out on those shiny rims, ready our handy guide on how to choose the right ones for your vehicle and your budget.

Yes, size does matter!

When it comes to choosing the right alloy wheels, size is important. In fact, it all comes down to two factors - size and width. You might see "pimp my ride' vehicles rolling down the road on 22s, but these might be totally unsuitable for your particular vehicle. The most popular alloy wheel sizes in the UK today are 15" and 17" and the good news is that these sizes are suitable for most makes and models of vehicle.

Ensuring the right fit - Knowing your PCD from your offset

When it comes to getting the right fit, you're going to need to know all about PCD (that's Pitch Circle Diameter) and Offset.

Here's a rough guide to those two terms:

• PCD is the measurement of the stud pattern of the wheel - one example of PCD is 4x100. This tells us that there are 4 holes set in the wheel and that these holes are distanced 100mm apart. The wheel's offset is the measurement of an imaginary centre line to the mounting face of the wheel.
• This measurement is commonly shown as "ET". Most modern cars today will have what is known as positive offset. Some 4x4 vehicles and some older models may have a negative offset. One thing to note is that if your offset is too great, it could affect the wear of your drivetrain and suspension components.

Styling those wheels out

Of course, the most popular reason why people invest in rims is that they look good! If you are looking to enhance the look of your vehicle, alloy wheels are a great choice. Silver and black are the most popular and you'llusually have a choice of a gloss, matte or polished finish. There are also many spoke patterns to choose from and which you choose will be a matter of personal taste.

If you choose a polished finish, we recommend that you wash these rims once a week using a soft cloth or sponge and a little washing up liquid and water. Chemical wheel cleaners can often be a little too harsh and could cause corrosion, damaging your wheels in the process.

Invest in good alloys without blowing your budget

Cost is usually an important factor when investing in alloy wheels. The good news is that many brands in the UK offer excellent value for money. Take a look at Calibre and DRC if you are on a budget. If you can afford to splash out a bit more, Dezent and AEZ are more expensive, but offer extra features such as Nanotec finish technology and an extended warranty.

Need more advice? We'd be delighted to help

At Dentfix, you can expect nothing but the best service and support when it comes to buying and caring for new or replacement alloy wheels. Call Free on 0800 0188899 to find out more about aftercare and how we can help you keep your wheels in tip top condition.

Alloy Wheel Refurbishment

If you have invested in alloy wheels for your vehicle, you will want to keep them in tip top condition. You'll also want them to stand out for all the right reasons and that means keeping them free from chips, corrosion and scratches - easier said than done given the conditions your vehicle is subjected to every day.

The weather, stone chips and general wear and tear can start to take their toll on your alloy wheels degrading their overall appearance and your pride in your vehicle.

If your alloy wheels look like they need replacing, you might want to consider refurbishment first. The refurbishment process, when carried out by a professional team, can restore your alloy wheels back to perfect condition saving you a fortune in the process.

What happens during the refurbishment process?

It is essential that you have your alloy wheels refurbished by a professional as the process is very exact and mistakes can be costly.

Stripping The Wheels - Before any cosmetic repairs can be carried out to your wheels, the existing finish must be stripped off. This allows perfect adhesion of the new finish and to also allow us to assess the full extent of the damage to your wheels. During the stripping process, we apply a specialist chemical solution that will ensure no further damage is caused and which prepares your wheels for the next stage.

Preparing And Repairing Your Alloy Wheels - The next part of the refurbishment process is to blast the wheel to remove any contaminants that might ruin the final finish. This will also help to remove any corrosion that is present and allow us to inspect dents, scratches and gouges so that we note them all for repair. Any deep scratches will be repaired using a filler solution for the perfect finish.

The Final Smooth And Paint - Once we have smoothed over your wheels and filled any damaged areas, we will paint them. This is a very exact process as we don't want to spoil our hard repairs work with a shoddy paint job. If you have ever watched alloy wheels being painted, you will know it is a very skilled and precise job that takes years of practice to get perfect. After all, we know that you have invested in alloy wheels to make your vehicle stand out so we will always ensure the perfect finish.

Why choose Dentfix for your alloy wheel repairs and refurbishment?

At Dentfix, we understand alloy wheels and how to restore them with precision. Your wheels can come under a lot of damage as the miles rack up, but our restoration team can repair the deepest scratches and stuffs and have your alloy wheels looking like new once more.

We have years of experience in providing specialist alloy wheel refurbishment and would be delighted to offer our services to you no matter what your wheels or vehicle. Don't replace when we can refurb for a fraction of the cost.

Speak to our friendly team today to find out more about alloy wheel refurbishment and how we can help.