As locking wheel nut removal experts in the West Midlands, we spend the vast majority of our working day taking the greatest care not to damage our clients’ alloy wheels. When our customers call us, they need locking wheel nuts removing quickly, with no damage to their alloy rims. Obviously, we are more than happy to perform this function and always do so with no damage whatsoever. We know that alloy wheels are expensive, and the last thing you want to do is scratch and spoil them, so we take good care of everything.
Unfortunately, alloys can be damaged for a variety of reasons and this can happen at any time. Read these classic examples to see how easy it is to damage a set of alloys, and learn a little about how to prevent this type of harm.
Kerbing
One of the easiest ways to damage a set of alloy wheels is to make contact with the kerb edge, resulting in scratches and gouges around the edge of the rim. This normally happens when you drive too close to the pavement and make contact with either the front, rear or both sets of wheels. You’ll know when you have done this and instantly regret it. Scuffed rims look a mess and make your car look cheap. Not only do they spoil the appearance of the vehicle, they can be expensive to repair, and if you rate the look of your car, this is something you will definitely need to fix.
Potholes
Poorly surfaced roads can have a detrimental impact on car wheels. One of the biggest gripes for UK motorists is potholes, which damage wheels and tyres. Drive over a pothole at speed and you run the risk of puncturing a tyre or putting a large dent in your wheels. Potholes damage tyres, cause premature suspension wear, and can also be horrendous if you hit them hard enough with a set of alloy wheels. Drive over a pothole by accident and it’s worthwhile checking your wheels and tyres afterwards for any signs of physical damage.
Brake Dust
Hit the brakes in a car fitted with alloy wheels and tiny particles of brake dust will cover the surface area of the alloy. In time and without attention, the dust builds up and burns into the surface of the rim leaving you with permanently damaged wheels. Regular washing helps, but regular detergents don’t always get the wheels as clean as you would like. In the most extreme circumstances, if the dust has been left for too long, the only option will be to have the wheel refurbished and repainted.
Car Washes
Take your car for a clean either at a local hand wash or automatic car wash facility and there’s a good chance they will use an acid type spray to remove brake dust and dirt from alloy wheels. Over time, this can gradually peel away the protective layer leaving your wheels exposed to the elements and spoiling their appearance. The simplest way to know what types of detergents are being used is to wash the car yourself, and use approved cleaning materials.
Cleaning Materials
A soft bristled wheel brush will help to remove dirt and grime when you are cleaning a set of alloy wheels. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning material on the alloy surface for fear of damaging the wheel. This could result in swirls, scratches or score marks on the surface area. A microfiber towel can be useful to give the wheel a gentle finish. You can polish the wheel afterwards to give it a protective layer against dirt or corrosion.
Under-Inflated Tyres
Drive your car with under-inflated tyres and you increase the chances of having a puncture which could result in a damaged wheel. Braking distances are significantly longer when you have under-inflated tyres, and there’s a greater chance of skidding. To avoid potentially damaging your alloys and running the risk of a puncture, check the tyre pressure once a week as part of routine car maintenance. You’d be amazed at how many people fail to do this and suffer the consequences as a result.
Attempted Theft
Expensive alloy wheels are a hot target for thieves. Criminals will steal then sell your wheels to make a quick profit, or they might damage them as they try to remove the wheels, especially if the rims are fitted with locking wheel nuts. You can usually spot signs of tampering around the lug nuts where the alloy is scratched or scarred. On the plus side, the thieves haven’t got away with your wheels. On the negative side, you might have to get them repaired following the attack.
Wheel Lugs
Have you ever struggled to remove a wheel nut using the brace provided with the car? If the nuts have been tightened with an air gun there’s a good chance they’ll be impossible to turn, and any attempt to remove them with a brace will result in damage to the wheel. All it takes is one slip and the brace detaches from the wheel nut then comes into contact with the alloy. In a matter of seconds, your wheel is ruined and you are left with a pricey repair cost
Locking Wheel Nuts
Trying to remove locking wheel nuts without the right tool can result in damage to alloy wheels. If you don’t have the locking wheel nut key, don’t try to remove the nut or you could seriously damage the wheel. This is definitely a job for the experts and it’s the only way you can guarantee the best result. Get in touch with a locking wheel nut removal expert as soon as you can and they will visit you at your choice of location and make everything easy for you.
As you can see, there are many ways to damage a set of alloy wheels but one thing is for certain, if you want to remove a set of locking wheel nuts without ruining a perfectly good set of alloys, we can help you here at Locking Wheel Nut Removal Service in Birmingham.
All you have to do is contact us today and we can remove your locking wheel nuts at a time to suit, get a FREE quote by calling 0121 733 1956 or 0777 6231952.
