The wheel has been one of the remaining constants in an automotive world that is continuously changing. It is so integral and effective that even though more than a century of automotive history has passed, its structure has never changed. Sure, they have come in all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit into all kinds of automobiles, but their role has always been the same. They have served as the legs wherein the car (as well as most types of vehicles) stands into, the apparatus that causes motion. Due to this, you can’t understate enough the value of the wheel. However, for some reason, maybe ironically because of its role as an automotive constant, the wheel doesn’t always get the TLC that it deserves. Except perhaps for car nuts, meticulous owners, or trailer queens, most rims find themselves riddled with so called battle scars. Eventually, some kind of damage could destroy them, and they end up either in a junk heap somewhere or even causing an accident. The replacement of rims is no joke too. Wheel sets are pretty expensive nowadays. However, it’s a great thing to know that there’s a more affordable alternative to replacing your rims. It is wheel refinishing.

Wheel refinishing is the art and science of returning wheels into their original showroom condition. Though some shops have specific specialties, it doesn’t really matter if your rim is old or new, stock or custom, small or large. Whatever your wheel type is, you can give it to them and they can do the job for you. Expect a restoration that goes beyond skin deep.

Scratches and dents are a normal part of motoring and something you can experience on any part of your car from time to time. Because of its proximity to the ground, you can expect that it’s going to take more than its fair share of hits. Conditions and miles can provide battle scars here and there. However, there are times that damage can be more than just skin deep. The constant banging and the elements can cause the wheel structure to deteriorate. Conditions such as rust and cracking can compromise the durability of your rim. And then, there are times when accidents or potholes can deform your rim. All these and more can be solved by a trip to a rim refinisher.

The first step in the restoration process starts with a thorough evaluation of the rim. The locations of the scratches and dents are pinpointed. Also checked are potentially serious issues such as wheel bends (causing the wheel to become oblong shaped), cracks, and development of rust. Once checked, the rim goes into a sand blaster or a shot chamber. This process strips the old paint, dirt, grease, rust, and anything that are found on the wheel surface. This allows the wheel to be prepped for the restoration process and also it helps detect more serious problems like deep-seated rust. These problems are then fixed with the various techniques that they have on their arsenal. After all damage has been covered, it is now time to powder coat the wheel to provide rust proofing and a suitable base for finishing touches. After it is done, it is now onto the finishing process. They can paint your wheel into any color that you wish. They can even do custom stuff like chrome if you want. And depending on the shop, they can even preserve the detailing on your rims. Customized stuff like writings, stripes, logos, two-tone colors, they can add it into your wheel or restore the pre-existing ones. After all this, you can now equip and enjoy your revitalized wheel!

The next question that you may ask would be: how would a refinishing process help with the value of my car? The answer is relatively simple. Remember the adage that says “the thing that separates contenders and champions is on the details”? An extra attention to detail is going to take your vehicle to the next level. Onlookers will see your rims, and they will immediately know right away what you are about. Such detail would be more than enough to add “street cred” to your car. And just in case that you are thinking of selling your car, such detail would be enough to bump up the resale value of your car. A well-maintained set of rims can go hand in hand with the work that you have done with the rest of the vehicle. In fact, it can even increase your car’s selling value by up to thousands of dollars! This is especially true for vintage cars wherein the correctness of the parts can make or break its total value.

But beyond the aesthetics, you can also expect that a wheel in shape is going to be functionally superior to a worn out one. Of course, a properly rounded vehicle is going to roll more efficiently, giving more efficient motion, improving both economy and performance. In contrast, a bent wheel is going to reduce efficiency, can damage other car components (particularly the suspension), and can even render the car useless! Also, a proper restoration can increase the lifespan of your rim by at least 5 years. Who wouldn’t want to increase the durability of their goods, right?

In closing, you can’t understate the importance of wheel refinishing in your vehicle. After all, there would be no cars without the wheel. It is a worthwhile investment that can increase the value of your car both inside and outside. There are many rim refurbishing shops out there. Some specialize on specific car brands or aftermarket makers. Some specialize on detailing your wheels properly. Others have expertise in repairing even the most damaged of wheels. When looking for a shop, it pays to be vigilant. Check out what services they offer, what specific jobs can they do best, and ask questions if necessary. You’re not going to regret it once you’re rolling in a fresh looking set of rims, and when you look at your checklist and find out you’ve save good money from damages and/or wheel replacements.