If you noticed pitting, discolouration or any other anomalies on your alloy wheels, you likely brought them in for repair. Now that you have them back, you may be thinking about running to the nearest car wash or polishing your newly-refurbed wheels.
However, the bad news is that doing any of this could put you right back in the refurbishment centre. There is a very specific way to care for newly-refurbed wheels that can ensure you keep them looking great for a long time.
The First 24 Hours
After your alloy wheels have been refurbished, how you treat them over the next while will make a big difference to how long they will last. The first 24 hours following alloy refurbishment are the most crucial.
Although your wheels will feel dry to the touch, refrain from rubbing them, as they do need time to cure all the way through. Rubbing them can cause an uneven surface which can be vulnerable to cracks and corrosion. All told, it will take the clear coat on your wheels up to 4 weeks to cure completely. After this, you will need to maintain your wheels on a regular basis.
Water in the form of brief moisture or light rain is not enough to damage newly-refurbished wheels. But if heavy rain or prolonged immersion in water occurs, this can definitely damage the newly applied clear coat.
Although this may sound like a lot of pampering, having patience and waiting until the prescribed time has passed can end up saving you a lot of money in having to return to the shop for additional alloy wheel repair.
Maintenance Guidelines for Refurbished Wheels
Washing
You should not wash your wheels for 24 hours after you’ve gotten them back from the shop. Once 24 hours has passed, the wheels can be washed by hand and should be washed in this way for four weeks.
Cooling
Before washing, it’s important to cool hot wheels. This should be done with plain water, and before you apply any soap to your wheels. Wheels that are hot should never be washed. When washing, ensure that any brake dust, road salt or dirt is completely removed so as to avoid corrosion of your new finish.
Cleaning and Waxing
No wax or cleaner should be used on newly-refurbished wheels for four weeks. Acid-free cleaning agents are recommended after you have waited four weeks and washed the wheels twice. Acid-free will not damage the clear coat.
Four weeks is also the wait time for wax to be applied. You should use a good-quality wax, rubbing it onto the clear coat. This practice should continue about every three months. Wax will benefit the wheels, as it will help to protect them from dirt, dust or salt build-up.
Polishing
Any abrasive polishing agents should not be used at all on refurbished wheels. This can compromise the protective layer of the clear coat, requiring immediate repair and additional cost.
Washing Your Car
Taking your car through a car wash can also cause a lot of damage to your wheels. This is because the alignment rails on many car washes are made for traditional high-profile tires. Vehicles with these types of tires don’t ever have to worry about them touching the alignment rails. However, low-profile tires place the rim below the alignment rail’s top, making for easy damage to the wheel’s edge.
It is strongly suggested that if you must use a car wash that you choose the touch less variety with no alignment rails. If you can avoid car washes altogether, hand washing is best.
www.platinumwheelrefurb.com
However, the bad news is that doing any of this could put you right back in the refurbishment centre. There is a very specific way to care for newly-refurbed wheels that can ensure you keep them looking great for a long time.
The First 24 Hours
After your alloy wheels have been refurbished, how you treat them over the next while will make a big difference to how long they will last. The first 24 hours following alloy refurbishment are the most crucial.
Although your wheels will feel dry to the touch, refrain from rubbing them, as they do need time to cure all the way through. Rubbing them can cause an uneven surface which can be vulnerable to cracks and corrosion. All told, it will take the clear coat on your wheels up to 4 weeks to cure completely. After this, you will need to maintain your wheels on a regular basis.
Water in the form of brief moisture or light rain is not enough to damage newly-refurbished wheels. But if heavy rain or prolonged immersion in water occurs, this can definitely damage the newly applied clear coat.
Although this may sound like a lot of pampering, having patience and waiting until the prescribed time has passed can end up saving you a lot of money in having to return to the shop for additional alloy wheel repair.
Maintenance Guidelines for Refurbished Wheels
Washing
You should not wash your wheels for 24 hours after you’ve gotten them back from the shop. Once 24 hours has passed, the wheels can be washed by hand and should be washed in this way for four weeks.
Cooling
Before washing, it’s important to cool hot wheels. This should be done with plain water, and before you apply any soap to your wheels. Wheels that are hot should never be washed. When washing, ensure that any brake dust, road salt or dirt is completely removed so as to avoid corrosion of your new finish.
Cleaning and Waxing
No wax or cleaner should be used on newly-refurbished wheels for four weeks. Acid-free cleaning agents are recommended after you have waited four weeks and washed the wheels twice. Acid-free will not damage the clear coat.
Four weeks is also the wait time for wax to be applied. You should use a good-quality wax, rubbing it onto the clear coat. This practice should continue about every three months. Wax will benefit the wheels, as it will help to protect them from dirt, dust or salt build-up.
Polishing
Any abrasive polishing agents should not be used at all on refurbished wheels. This can compromise the protective layer of the clear coat, requiring immediate repair and additional cost.
Washing Your Car
Taking your car through a car wash can also cause a lot of damage to your wheels. This is because the alignment rails on many car washes are made for traditional high-profile tires. Vehicles with these types of tires don’t ever have to worry about them touching the alignment rails. However, low-profile tires place the rim below the alignment rail’s top, making for easy damage to the wheel’s edge.
It is strongly suggested that if you must use a car wash that you choose the touch less variety with no alignment rails. If you can avoid car washes altogether, hand washing is best.
www.platinumwheelrefurb.com