Each and every component of your favorite car holds prime importance. If any one of the parts develops a defect it will affect the driving experience and can also become a potential risk leading to accidents. Being a resident of Houston, you realize it’s challenging to keep the car rims in the best of condition. Taking good care of the rims will ensure your car remains functional and retains its aesthetic appeal.
Of course, in case of emergencies, you ought to find the best Houston rims service center to get them repaired, but timely prevention can save you from the ordeal of frequent visits to such service centers. So, read on, the tips mentioned below will help you to keep the rims of your car in the best condition for years to come.
Regular cleaning
Cleaning is the simplest way to maintain the rims of your car. Yet, most car owners seem to overlook and avoid it. Various aspects like brake dust, road grime, and other items gradually accumulate on the rims. Eventually, it leads to corrosion and damage to it. When making arrangements for cleaning the car rims, you should use a non-acidic cleaner and a soft brush to remove the dirt.
Particularly, the inner rims are the most difficult areas and are usually not visible. For effective cleaning, you should rinse thoroughly and dry the rims with a clean, soft cloth, so that water spots do not remain there. Although rim cleaning is possible by anyone, if you are too busy, then schedule the cleaning with a professional at least once a month.
Due to lack of time, many vehicle owners opt for automatic car washes, and would you believe it, the procedure can be harmful to your rims. The reason is, that automatic car washes often use harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes that can do more harm than good to the rims. Therefore, always consider hand washing as the best for clean your vehicle.
Do not forget to clean brake calipers
Brake calipers are essential elements of your vehicle. Thus, when you commence the cleaning procedure, make sure you do not overlook them. Clean calipers can enhance the appearance of rims, and it also regulates the accumulation of brake dust that can quickly transfer to the rims.
Never use harsh cleaning products
A lack of knowledge related to cleaning car rims can lead to problems. With the wide array of rim cleaning products available, choosing the correct one can be a challenge. You can inquire from an experienced person and then purchase it. The bottom line is, that using harsh or acidic cleaners can prove detrimental to the finish of the rims. Refer to the car’s manual and see if they have specified cleaners exclusively for your model. The theory applies to all types of rims regardless of whether they are of aluminum, alloy, or chrome.
Keep the rims free of corrosion
Earlier we already mentioned that corrosion can occur in the rims due to dust. Harsh weather conditions or fluctuating weather conditions can also lead to corrosion quickly. Applying a good-quality wheel sealant or wax after cleaning the rims can protect against these natural elements and ensure corrosion stays away for a long period. You should make it a point to inspect the car rims regularly for any signs of corrosion, and if found, make adequate arrangements to remove them promptly.
Use rim protectors
If you require using the car regularly but do not find much time to clean it, then installing rim protectors can help. You can visit a professional and experienced rim repair expert and they should help you install the rim protector. The protector acts as a buffer between the rims and the things to which it comes into contact. The best part, it will also keep away dirt and grime from the rims for an extended period.
Be careful of the curbs
Remember, how many times your instructor warned you against curbs when you were learning to drive? Yet, the most common cause of rim damage happens to be cars hitting it. Even if you are well aware of the area where you keep the car, you should be mindful of the surroundings and that should help you to avoid the rims getting scratched or bent by curbs. Still, if an unfortunate incident happens, you should immediately check for bends, cracks, and scratches. Do not delay in repairing it to prevent further damage.
Maintenance of tires
Tire maintenance is integrally related to taking care of the rims. If you do not regularly check the air pressure, and the tires are not properly inflated it can increase the risk of rim damage. If the driving route is filled with potholes or rough terrain, you should regularly maintain accurate tire pressure. It ensures proper weight distribution and reduces the likelihood of serious rim damage.
Rotate the tires
For the uninitiated, rotating tires at frequent intervals can help you identify wear and tear. Furthermore, it also lets you see if specific areas of the rims are under any kind of stress. You can consult the car’s manual for the ideal period of tire rotation intervals and the way to do it.
Avoid harsh driving conditions
It might be challenging, but if possible, you should avoid driving in harsh conditions. Like if you can find another way to bypass the potholed road, it will extend the life of the rims. Similarly, rims also take a beating during extreme weather conditions. Even if rim protectors are in place, it doesn’t mean you have to test it to the extreme.
Tire dressings aren’t a good idea
Using tire dressing is trending right now. For the unversed, it is a chemical that aims to restore the black rubber which naturally fades after regular use. Even if you apply it after washing the tires properly, the chemicals can be detrimental to rim finishes. Usually, this tire dressing in all probability can contain silicone and it can hamper the rims.
Wrapping it up
The above tips will ensure the car rims remain in the best of condition. However, your focus should not be limited to the rims alone. Lastly, remember to schedule servicing the vehicle with a Houston auto repair shop at least once or twice a month.
