Your wheels have two important functions for your car. Firstly, they obviously help the car go forward and secondly, they add to its visual appeal.
Unfortunately, everyday driving can easily damage your mag or alloy wheels. Your wheels are one of the most exposed parts of your car, with even minor knicks onto your wheels potentially leaving scuff marks.
These can occur easily in your daily commute. Whether you’re driving and hit a pothole, bad weather causes debris to fall on the road, you drive too fast over a speed bump or slightly misjudge a parking situation, these minor life slip ups could all put a nasty spot on your mag wheels.
What Are Mag Wheels?
Let’s start with the basics and explain what exactly a mag wheel is. Magnesium alloy wheels, commonly known as mag wheels, are wheels designed for high performance and to look visually appealing. These wheels are crafted from a combination of magnesium and other metals, offering a lightweight yet durable alternative to traditional steel wheels. Renowned for their strength-to-weight ratio, mag wheels enhance vehicle performance by reducing unsprung weight, resulting in improved handling and fuel efficiency.
Alloy wheels are similar but built with a blend of aluminium and nickel.
Read our blog: How to Prevent Mag Wheel Damage: Tips for Sydney Drivers
The Most Common Damage to Mag Wheels?
While mag wheels might be known for their durability, unfortunately mag wheels are not immune from wear and tear. The most common form of damage comes from driving your vehicle. You could simply park to lose to a curb and rub up against it, causing what is known as curb rash, or bump into other obstacles that can leave scratches and dents.
Unfortunately, if these scratches are left unchecked, it can lead to greater problems down the track, most notably corrosion. Exposure to the road, moisture, and harsh weather conditions can lead to oxidation, causing unsightly blemishes and compromising structural integrity.
How to Assess the Damage
Now that you know how easy it is to scratch or dent your mag wheels, here is how you can access the damage.
The first thing you’ll need to do regularly is inspect the condition of your mags. Begin by visually examining the wheels for signs of corrosion, such as discoloration or pitting. Run your fingers along the surface to detect any rough patches indicative of oxidation.
Next, you should keep an eye for other visible signs including curb rash, playing close attention to where the contact has occurred.
Finally, if you notice signs of structural issues, you’ll need to remove the wheel to have a thorough look of the inner and outer surface.
If you see signs of rust or corrosion it might be time to get a fix.
Time to call a professional repairer
If you’ve noticed signs that your mags are not looking their best, it might be time to bring the experts. Depending on the severity of the damage, the repair might require sanding, polishing, and reapplication of protective coatings to mitigate future corrosion. For cases involving structural damage, such as cracks or bends, professional repair ensures safe operation and prolongs the lifespan of mag wheels.
So, if you’ve noticed your mag wheels have scuffs, scratches and are in need of a repair, it might be time to call in the experts. The friendly team at Bumpertek can help repair any of your car paint repair woes in just a few easy steps.
1. Send us an image of your car’s damage
2. We’ll send you a free quote and, from there, can book in your requested repair time.
3. We come to you! As a mobile repair service, we can address your car’s paint issues at a place that suits you.
