Alloy wheels can make a big difference in a car or motorcycle, with improved handling and a beautiful appearance scion. Because of this, enthusiasts have been upgrading to larger wheels for years, replacing basic steel wheels and hubcaps to set a vehicle apart from others and to provide a smoother ride wheels xb.

Repair vs. Replace

Necessity, they say, is the mother of invention. Because replacing a factory wheel can range from $350 to $2,000 per wheel (for some Porsche wheels), those who didn't want to invest in wheel replacement from a dealer began asking about having them "bent" back out - and the alloy wheel rim repair industry was born wheels.

• Newer aftermarket rims may be worth thousands of dollars, possibly exceeding the value of the vehicle to which they are attached. Owners use special lug nuts, called wheel locks, to secure them, although it renders the vehicle difficult to service, and there are doubts as to how well the locks thwart determined thieves xb

Alloy wheels are more expensive to produce than standard steel wheels, xb and thus are not included as standard equipment on base models of many non-luxury vehicles, instead being marketed as optional add-ons or as part of a xb more expensive trim. However, alloy wheels have xb become considerably more common since the 2000s, now being offered on economy and subcompact cars, compared to a decade ago where alloy wheels were often not xb factory options on inexpensive vehicles. Alloy wheels have long been included as standard equipment on higher-priced luxury or sports cars, with larger-sized or xb "exclusive" alloy wheels being options. The high cost of alloy wheels have made them attractive to thieves; to counter this, automakers and dealers have issued wheel locks where one of the wheel nuts require a xb

The repair process is straightforward. First, xb we mount the wheel accurately on a vehicle simulator. With the proper heat, consistent hydraulic pressure and light vibrations under pressure, the xb alloy wheel will move - without cracking - back to its original condition. If there is a crack that can't be seen xb by the naked eye (under chrome or paint), it will instantly pop out; our certified welders will then fill and repair the crack. After the wheel has cooled, it will xb retain its original strength. Heat,xb consistent pressure and vibration are key to an excellent wheel repair xb .

Once identified, each wheel is washed thoroughly to remove all brake dust, xb because the dust could be hiding additional scratches, gouges or cracks. Metro uses a pressure washer system with a diluted acid-based cleaning compound that will not damage a wheel's existing finish.