Reversing Discoloration of Wheels

The wheels of your car are extremely important and are what keep you on the road. They not only promise a smooth drive and enhanced performance, but also improve the appearance of the car. However, you cannot save your good looking wheels from a number of damages, including discoloration.

The “Ugly” Patches

With time and use, whitish and yellow spots often develop on car wheels. These discoloration spots rob the wheels of their original glory.

However, what is the solution to fix the discoloration of alloy disc? Do you need an expensive painting job? Do you need full replacement of the wheels? Or is there any other viable solution?

Today’s alloy wheels are primed, painted and then clear coated for additional protection. So, paint touch-ups for discoloration are not the answer to the “ugly” spots.

Getting Rid of the Spots

Here are some facts about discoloration of alloy wheels and how you can fix it.

Oxidation: Discoloration on ring can be a result of oxidation. These are made from aluminum, which does not rust. However, dirt and dust tend to get collected on these wheels. Sometimes certain chemicals or materials react with oxygen molecules and cause oxidation, which leads to discoloration.

Oxidation can be reversed with an acid cleaner, which counteracts the oxidation process. As the rings are clear coated after painting, it is essential to remove the coating before treating the wheels with the acid cleaner. The coating can be easily removed with paint remover. However, remember to clean the paint remover thoroughly before using the acid cleaner. You can use acid cleaners made at home or reputed products available in the market. After using the acid cleaner, rinse the wheels well; and dry them completely before installing them on the car again.

However, if this technique fails to work, you can use a stronger cleaner to get rid of the ugly spots. After thorough cleaning, follow up the process with a fine glaze and then wax the rings for shiny, like-new appearance.

At the Garage: A whitish discoloration on the wheels is not uncommon. However, this often happens when a person at the mechanics garage uses acids and cleaners to clean the wheels and tires. Yes, acids remove the dirt rapidly, but sometimes attack the clear coating with a cloudy, dull appearance.

The solution to this kind of discoloration is using a paint glaze on the wheels to get rid of the cloudy appearance. However, remember to clean the wheels thoroughly before using the paint glaze. Moreover, use a soft cloth for application to avoid any scratches or damage.

Alloy Wheel repair specialists can easily take care of the damage caused by discoloration, without the need for replacement.

However, if none of the above can solve the problem of discoloration, then re-painting would be the solution. The alloy wheel repair specialist will advise accordingly. However, whether the surface of the wheel is pitted or the paint has worn off in patches, then a paint touch-up will only cause further damage. Always remove the coating and the paint before re-painting is done.

Whatever the problem, discoloration of wheels can be easily solved.

How Auto Body Repairs Can Help The Environment

We all know that keeping the mechanical parts of the vehicle (engine, transmission, etc.) in good condition is part of being environmentally conscious, but did you know that repairing the body contribute can also help to protect environment as well?

Sound a bit silly? It’s not! Here’s how taking your vehicle to the right auto body repair shop in Valencia will help you to “go green”:

Reduce part waste — When you replace the parts on your vehicle, do you ever think of what happens to the parts removed? Those have to be disposed of somewhere, but you don’t see that because you’re happily driving off in your good-as-new vehicle. The auto body repair shop has to find a way to dispose of those parts, often in an incinerator or a landfill. Incinerators release gas and heat into the air, wearing away at the ozone layer. Landfills are TERRIBLE for the environment. But when you get the best auto body repair Valencia can offer, you re-use the existing parts on your vehicle. They are repaired, and you drive off with a good-as-new vehicle, but without leaving scrap or waste parts behind you!

Fewer junk vehicles — What do you do with your vehicle when it gets old and starts to break down? Either sell it or send it to the scrapyard for junk! Have you seen how many vehicles there are sitting in junkyards around Los Angeles County? Far too many, and all of them leaking chemicals, toxins, and harmful fluids into the soil. That’s definitely not helping the environment! But if you repair the vehicle and get it back to proper running condition, that’s one less vehicle to sit on a junk heap. The longer you use your vehicle (and keep it in good shape), the smaller your carbon footprint.

Greener repairs — Finding the right shop to perform your auto body repair in Valencia is important, especially if your goal is to “go green”. The best “green” auto body shops use eco-friendly paint, and will apply that paint using eco-friendly methods (keeping the paint particles trapped inside a “Clean Room” to reduce contamination). Your car will look as good as new, but it won’t cause such an impact on the environment.

The truth is that repairing your car is always the more eco-friendly option, as it reduces the amount of waste generated by the various facilities that have to dispose of the vehicle and part waste. You’ll contribute to keeping Southern California as green as possible, and you’ll keep your vehicle in good working order.

So what are you waiting for? Find the right body repair shop and get that work done today? Do your part to keep the world “green” by keeping your car in great shape!