9 Tips to Maintain Your Alloy Refurb Longer

Alloy wheels are attractive, lighter and better at dissipating heat than steel wheels. The 'alloy' in alloy wheels refers to the composition of the cast of metal that consists of aluminum and a small amount of other rigid metals. While aluminum gives the luster and makes wheels lighter, the rigid metals prevent cracks. Alloy refurb forms an integral part of maintenance of the wheel and is a costly affair. So, care must be taken to maintain the alloy refurb so that it lasts longer.

The Alloy Refurb Process

The entire process is almost identical to the normal bodywork repair. At first, the damaged areas are repaired. Then the whole wheel is flattened, areas of bare metalwork are primed and a layer of base paint is applied. This is an expert's work as the paint tends to go on too thickly, run or sag and the surface coating becomes uneven at times. Once applied evenly, the base coat is allowed to dry (cure) with infra- red lamps. A clear coat of lacquer should follow the painting process. This helps to protect the alloy refurb from road salts and break dust. Top quality lacquer should be used as the cheaper one may yellow over time.

Following are some tips to maintain your alloy refurb longer:

Fresh alloy refurb should be handled very carefully for the first 24 hours. It may be dry to touch but it should not be rubbed. Light rain or brief wetness would not damage it but prolonged immersion and strong spray would.

The clear alloy refurb takes about 3 weeks to be fully cured. However, the wheels can be hand washed after 48 hours and continued to be hand washed for the first three weeks.

It is necessary to cool down the hot wheels with plain water before using soap for washing the wheel. Washing the hot alloy wheels with soap can damage the alloy refurb.

Road salt, brake lining dust and dirt must be washed off to prevent corrosion of the alloy refurb.

No cleaner or wax should be used on fresh alloy refurb for three weeks.

After three weeks, a cleaning agent that is acid free may be used to clean the alloy refurb. The clear coat and the substrate would be damaged by cleaners that have acid. The cleaner specifically made for alloy wheels should be used.

A hard wax should be rubbed on the alloy refurb after 3 weeks and every two months thereafter. The clear coat of the alloy refurb is protected from foreign matters that build up from using the wax polish. There are specific waxes in the market for alloy wheels and it is better to go with them to get the desired result.


Paint, abrasive polish or agents should be strictly avoided. Once the protective layer gets damaged, it should be immediately repaired.

Track driving and fast roads cause wheels to get very hot. Direct connection to braking system makes the heat transfer a problem. Color of paint on the wheel is changed irreversibly by hyper heating. So, the speed of the car must be controlled accordingly.

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Neill Murphy provides detailed information on alloy refurb. For more information, please visit www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk.