It’s natural to freak out a little bit if you ding, scratch, or scuff the body of your nice car. Even if no one else in the world notices it, you’ll always see that spot in the driver side where someone carelessly flung open their door. However, have you looked down at your wheel rims lately? Chances are, they look far worse than any of the small body scratches that only you can pick out. Wheel rims can take quite a beating, especially if you have a car that was subject to your early days as a driver. In the interest of preserving your vehicle, here is how you can protect your wheel rims, and keep them well maintained.
Watch that parallel parking job.
Maybe you haven’t heard of curb rash before, but if you look at your rims, you’ll probably see it. It’s that dark scuff that runs along the wheel rim, and it marks where your parallel parking could use some improvement. Fortunately, rim refinishing can provide the necessary rim repair to get those rims shining again. In the future, all you need to do is give yourself a little extra room between the curb and your wheels. Yes, this is easier said than done. Thank goodness for rim repair specialists.
Clean them off every now and then.
If your car only gets a wash when it rains, then you may not notice just how scuffed and scratched your rims are until you wash them down. Getting down on the level of your rims will allow you to see if you need rim painting, or rim straightening. Rim painting is mostly for aesthetics, but it’s important to get the rim repair if you see that straightening is needed. Crooked rims can take a toll on fuel efficiency, and cause uneven wear on your tire. Unsightly rims are an inconvenience, but unsafe rims are a hazard.
After an accident, check the wheels.
The next time that you need autobody repair for any reason, have a professional look at the rims. Unless the tires are blown clean off, you might not think that rim repair is necessary, but a specialist will be able to tell you if there has been some structural damage that bears investigation and repair. Remember, a dented hood may not be great for aerodynamics, but it’s not going to result in a blowout when you’re doing 60 on the highway. Badly crooked rims, however, will.
If the aesthetics of your car are important, then maybe it’s time that you took a peek at your wheels to see how they’re holding up. However, it’s also important to pay attention to your rims for reasons of safety. If you don’t feel like going to a an autobody shop, there are experts that specialize in quickly and affordably repairing wheel rims. Rim repair and maintenance need not be on top of your list of priorities for your car, but it should definitely be somewhere on your list.
