History of the wheel is almost 750,000 years old when humans first discovered these round heavy objects that helped them travel faster. Wheels have come a long way since then. The modern automobile wheel was invented in 1885. The basic material used for car wheels was still until 1960 when alloy wheels were introduced.
Types of wheels:
- Steel: the most basic type of wheels.
- Alloy: alloy wheels are usually made of aluminum and magnesium alloys.
- Multi-piece: these are two-piece (rim and face) and three-piece (the rim is divided into two and face).
- Forged: formed by forging aluminum and some of the strongest wheels in the market.
Steel vs Alloy wheels:
Steel wheels are probably the strongest and most durable type of wheels. These are relatively cheaper and cost-effective in the long run as you don’t have to replace them that often. Steel wheels are mostly used for heavy-duty vehicles due to their ability to hold high pressure. The only disadvantage of steel wheels is that they are heavy and have low performance, they also look a bit rough. Alloy wheels look more elegant and aesthetically pleasing. Alloy wheels are lighter than steel wheels, which makes them better at the performance. The issue with alloy wheels is lack of durability; they need regular repairing and sometimes a complete replacement.
Wheel repair:
No matter the type, every wheel requires maintenance for proper functioning. Wheels are probably the most important part of a car and withstand enormous pressure. Dust, oil, air all these factors cause wear and tear to wheels and regular detailing is required. You need a skilled mechanic to clean and repair/refurbish your wheels.
Steps:
- Wash and clean: wheels are washed and cleaned to remove all the visible dirt.
- Drying and masking: the wheel is then air-dried and the tire is masked to avoid any damage to it during wheel repair.
- Sand: the damaged area on the wheel is scrubbed with sandpaper lightly.
- Filler: a filler is placed on the damaged area to fill up the cracks and scratches.
- Smooth out the filler: this filler is then again rubbed lightly with sandpaper to smooth out the surface.
- Prime and paint: the last step in wheel repair is prime and paint. Paint is selected carefully according to the color of the wheel.
The whole process takes around 1 to 2 hours and by the end of it, your wheels will be looking as good as new.
Wheel Repair in Bethesda:
If you’re looking for a skilled, experienced and trustworthy wheel repair service in Bethesda, capital detailing is the place for you. They offer high-quality services at very affordable rates and provide great customer service as well.
