If you’re using alloy wheels, then it’s very important to keep them in the best condition you can to extend their health. Unfortunately, regular use can mean that you might accidentally stop paying attention and hit a sidewalk, damaging your alloy wheels and potentially causing other issues with your car. For example, you might notice thumping sounds when you drive, or you might experience strange constant vibrations that never used to occur. Your handling might feel a little off, and it could even affect your fuel economy.
Luckily, there are two options that you could consider in this situation; replacing or repairing your alloy wheels. Contrary to popular belief, alloy wheels can be repaired assuming they aren’t completely bent out of shape and ruined. Small scratches dents can be repaired, and in some cases, even slight bends can be straightened up for no issue.
But how do you distinguish between repairing and replacing, and when should you consider either option? In this article, we’re going to explain both options and give you an opinion on both so you understand the pros and cons of both.
When to repair your alloy wheels
Alloy wheel repairs are generally carried out by bending back any metal and buffing out any scratches. Scratches are simple to repair and, in most cases, won’t cost much money at all. However, bending back metal will require special tools and could cost more.
Repairing your alloy wheels is generally cheaper than having to replace them, especially if there’s only a few small scratches or dents that can be repaired with ease. Your mechanic should have the tools and expertise to bend back broken rims or even fill in small cracks. However, if you’re looking at several cracks and a lot of missing metal, then your alloy wheels will likely need to be replaced because repairing them will only prolong the inevitable.
When to replace your alloy wheels
Replacing wheels is usually more expensive, but the exception is if your alloy wheels are heavily damaged in several places. This could mean that you need to bend back metal in addition to buffing out scratches and even fill in some cracks. The heavier the damage, the more it will cost to replace your alloy wheels and it can get to a point where it’s more expensive to repair than to simply replace. The first thing you should do is ask for a quote; if it’s more expensive to repair, then you should definitely replace your wheels instead.
Do keep in mind that while repaired alloy wheels are generally just as strong as new ones, a brand new could come with extra features like a discount on other services or even extended warranty. In short, if there’s too much work to be done to repair your alloy wheels, then it’s usually better to just replace them to get the job done more efficiently so you can get back on the road instead of waiting for your mechanic to repair them.
