Alloy wheels—usually made with aluminum—offer various performance advantages over steel wheels. But, just like the rest of your BMW 8-Series, they require care and maintenance to ensure longevity and peak function. While alloy wheels won’t rust, corrosion is a common repair issue.
Using alloy wheels shaves several pounds of weight compared to steel wheels, which offers faster acceleration, quicker stopping, and less strain on your vehicle’s suspension components. Letting your alloy wheels corrode can cause leaks around the rim of your tires, ranging from inconvenient to dangerous.
With proper care and maintenance, your alloy wheels will improve the performance of your BMW 8-Series. Read on to learn five things you should know about BMW alloy wheel corrosion.
- Preserve the paint coating to prevent damage
The aluminum alloy of your wheel is covered with a paint finish to preserve its integrity. Care for it just like you do your car’s paint job. Your alloy wheels won’t rust, but scratches and dents let the paint coating flake away to expose the wheel surface. Look for white patches appearing on the wheel. You might also see pitting, which can look like speckles on the wheels. Salt on roads during the winter can cause alloy wheels’ corrosion.
- Wash your wheels often
Brake dust left over from wearing your brake pads down can damage the paint sealant of your alloy wheels over time. You might notice that your wheels have lost their luster, like a paint job fading to a dull, dingy finish after years. Keep your alloy wheels shiny for years with proper care and maintenance. Wash the salt, brake dust, and road grime away often to preserve the integrity of your BMW 8-Series alloy wheels. Use lukewarm, soapy water to wash the wheels and treat them like the car’s body.
- Repairs are more affordable than replacements
At M & R Auto, we will repair the corrosion damage to your BMW allow wheels, saving you the greater replacement cost. Damage like cracks, dings, and dents expose your wheel surface and make corrosion possible. You need a smooth wheel surface and a protected paint or clear coat on your alloy wheels. Make an appointment to learn about your options for wheel resurfacing and refurbishment.
- Trust the experts
Specialty tools are expensive, and it takes time to learn how to use them. Trust the experts at M & R Auto to provide the care and maintenance for your BMW 8-Series. Our technicians train extensively to use the latest technology to produce the best possible repairs.
- Invest in professional cleaning
Polishing only works on smooth surfaces. Prevent damage to your alloy wheels’ clear coat by investing in professional cleaning alongside regular washes. Acid-based cleaners will strip away your wheel’s clear coat if left on too long, so you should trust a professional to use the more caustic cleansers.
Conclusion
Your BMW 8-Series alloy wheels will shine for years with the proper care and maintenance. M & R Auto will work with you to keep your car running at peak performance levels, from bumper to bumper. Identify and repair BMW alloy wheel corrosion when you partner with us to care for your car.
