How to Avoid Damaging Your Rims
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Now, accidents happen and so does rim damage, but dodging it is actually fairly simple. All you have to do is make sure you (or whoever drives your car) follows these simple tips for preventing wheel damage:
Be Careful When Parking
When parking in a garage with tight spots or large pylons, backing in can be especially tricky. Parallel spots also pose a challenge for those who don’t do it often. In these situations, it’s best to just take it slow and make sure you’re lined up properly before backing up. Trying to rush your parking job is a great way to scrape your rim against a curb or concrete pillar. Curb damage is by far the most common reason people come to RGX for cosmetic rim repairs.
Look Out for Road Damage
This is the second most common reason people come to us with bent and/or scraped rims. It’s important to always be looking ahead for potholes, cracks, or any other kind of roadway damage. The faster you’re traveling, the further ahead you need to be looking. Even a small pothole hit at a high speed can cause your car to drop down suddenly and bend your rims. Just remember that we can straighten any type of wheel up to factory and DOT specifications.
Driving on Flat or Underfilled Tires
Unfortunately, sometimes hitting a pothole hard enough can cause your tires to leak air or even go flat instantly. If that happens do not keep driving! Driving on underinflated tires is dangerous. It is critical that you pull over as soon as possible after a flat or puncture. You will probably need tire repair or wheel straightening, but if you continue to drive on a flat, you may create further damage that will result in having to buy replacement wheels.
Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving causes thousands of car accidents every year, so it’s no surprise that it could also result in wheel damage. At the end of the day, nothing is worth risking your safety. Put your cell phone down and put your eyes on the road!
Prepare for Wintery Conditions
If you live in a colder climate, you probably already know that winter can be hard on your entire vehicle, including your wheels. Salt, magnesium chloride, and other deicing products can do a number on your rims, and so can damage caused by icy conditions. There are advantages to having a separate set of wheels and tires for winter and spring. During the winter, protect your nice, chrome wheels by swapping them out temporarily for a set of durable alloy wheels.
Clean Brake Dust Off, But Be Careful
Brake dust can become caked onto your rims over time, making them look dark and dirty. But, while it’s important to clean brake dust off your rims regularly, you have to do so properly. Too many people use acidic cleaners and/or steel wool to clean their rims and end up damaging them in the process. Make sure you purchase the right cleaning products and consider getting a ceramic coating for your rims to make cleaning them even easier.
Steer Clear of Car Washes
Some car wash businesses use acidic cleaning products that can eat away at your rims. It’s also worth pointing out that the high water pressure used at car washes can damage all sorts of things on your car (license plate frames, paint, etc.). It may be a little more work, but it’s best to just wash your car yourself.