You’ve bought your shiny chrome wheels and mounted them on your vehicle. You know the Northwest can be a chrome killer – so you’d like to know what are the most common issues, and what can you do to prevent damage?

A problem common to all vehicle wheels is exposure to microscopic metal particles from brakes and brake dust. When you apply the brakes, friction causes them to heat up and throw off tiny particles of hot metal that stick to your wheels. Over time, these metal particles can cause pitting, followed by peeling chrome as the problem worsens. Though it is not possible to prevent this problem from happening, regular cleaning of your chrome wheels will prevent build-up and extend the life of your wheels.

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, the relatively high humidity can cause chromed aluminum wheels to peel or corrode and chromed steel wheels to rust. De-icing chemicals and road salt used in winter can drastically accelerate the damage to your wheels. Wheel care professionals in the Northwest generally recommend that owners take off their chrome wheels during the winter months to prevent damage.

From the Makers of Koenig Wheels:  YOUR MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED    “The presence of salt on the road during winter, the salty atmosphere of coastal areas and the presence of impurities in the grime found in muddy areas could cause the alloy wheels to loose it’s shine and subject it to corrosion if the rim is nor cleaned of such impurities. Please Clean the wheels after every trip using only mild (non-abrasive) soap and water. Always keep them free of brake dust and road salts. Please read carefully the attached instructions for use of any commercially available wheel and car body cleaning compounds. We are not responsible for change in alloy wheel color, clear coat peeling, and other defects caused by the use of such cleaning compounds. Pressurized water is not allowed to be sprayed directly onto the surface of alloy wheels as excessive pressure may damage the paints and it’s clear coat or chrome plating”

All the major Alloy Wheel manufacturers have similar warnings on the informational literature placed in the box with your new wheels. Unfortunately, most tire stores do not convey this information to you the consumer. We see wheels every day that have been affected by weather, road maintenance chemicals, brake dust and improper cleaning solutions.

We use and recommend Eagle 1 tire and wheel care products at WheelKraft NW. Ask your technician.

The industry standard for chrome wheels is triple-plating—wheels are aluminum, plated with copper, then plated with nickel, then chromed. Driving a car heats and cools the wheels repeatedly. Each of the metals used in chrome wheels heat and cool at a different rate, causing uneven expansion and contraction which can then lead to peeling chrome. Less expensive (non-triple-plated) chrome is even more susceptible to peeling due to temperature fluctuations.

Caring for your chrome wheels

Here are some steps you can take to keep your chrome wheels in the best shape possible:

1. Wash frequently with soap and water to prevent build-up.
2. Occasionally wipe the rims down with chrome polish or baby oil, then apply sealant or wheel wax to minimize brake dust build-up.
3. If build-up occurs, use a high-quality chrome cleaner such as Mothers Chrome Polish.
4. Leave the chrome in the garage during the winter to prevent exposure to salt and de-icing chemicals that are used on the roads.

If your chrome wheels become pitted or start peeling re-chroming can be an option, however the cost is often too high relative to replacement.  Re-chroming costs between $200-250 per wheel – so damage prevention is extremely cost effective.  Curb damage to chrome wheels can rarely be smoothed over either, unfortunately.  However, in the situation where your chrome wheel isn’t holding air WheelKraftNW can often repair that situation for around $80-90 per wheel, and this generally resolves the situation permanently.

WheelKraftNW offers mobile alloy wheel refinishing in the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington metro area. Their experienced wheel repair technicians will come to your home or work and restore your wheels to premium condition, for far less than the cost of wheel replacement.

Buying used wheels instead of new can potentially save you a lot of money—if you know what to look (and look out) for. Here are some things you can do to make sure you end up with good wheels and a good deal:

• 1. Measure—Make sure the wheels you are buying will work with your vehicle. If you are buying a larger wheel than your current size, make sure there will be enough clearance around the tire in the wheel well; if you’re buying a smaller wheel, check your vehicle’s ground clearance. If your wheels attach with five lug nuts and the ones you want to buy only use four, you’ve got a problem.
• 2. Perform a visual inspection—Even if you’re not a trained professional, you can still spot peeling chrome or clear coat that is flaking off. If only a small area of the wheel is affected, the problem will continue to get worse until it needs to be stripped down and recoated (at a cost of about $250 per wheel).
• 3. Test for straightness—Wheels may look straight, but a small imperfection can cause big problems at 65 m.p.h. If you have the option, take the wheel to a tire store where they can test for straightness by putting it on the wheel balancing machine. If you can’t take the wheels to a tire store, try rolling them on a flat surface such as a garage floor and see if they roll straight.

Before you buy, it’s a good idea to do your research and shop around. Get an idea of the average price for both new and used wheels of the type you are looking for. It’s always best to buy from a reputable dealer, especially if they offer a return policy. But if you just can’t pass up the price in that craigslist ad, these tips may help you get the great deal you’re hoping for.

Your damaged wheels are removed from the vehicle and placed on our service van. The wheels are then carefully repaired, prepped, primed, painted and finally clear-coated, giving the wheel a like new appearance. The wheels are allowed to cure under infrared lamps for a short time and placed back on your vehicle where it is ready to roll. The total time required to repair the average wheel is about one hour.  How’s that for fast and easy!

Curb damage is an ugly sight on a luxury car.  Keep it looking sleek and new with little to no hassle!  For a free estimate or to schedule an appointment please visit our contact page and a representative will be in touch.

If your rim is out-of-round your car may have the following problems:

• Vibration or a Steering Wheel Shake
• Premature and Uneven Tire Wear
• Unnecessary Wear and Tear on your Car’s Suspension.

Our qualified technicians can take your broken or bent rim and restore it to extend the life of your wheels.  We could save you hundreds of dollars by simply repairing instead of replacing your rims.  Advantages to straightening are:

• Existing wheel refinish is maintained
• Wheels still match age/finish of the rest of the car
• Most cost efficient

Is the rim too damaged to fix? ( Cracked or Broken)  Not a problem, we can help you find a reasonable replacement that fits your car.  No matter what the needs of our customers we are there to help get them back on the road quickly and safely.  Call or fill out our contact form for more information on how WheelKraft NW can save you money.

“Recently I hit a giant pot hole going down a back alley.  Sure enough I began to feel my vehicle vibrate as I went down the road.  I called up WheelKraft and they gave me a free estimate for having my rim straightened.  Now my car is running better than ever and you can’t even tell which wheel had the work.  Thanks WheelKraft!”

John Waddel, loyal and satisfied customer

Please Note:

1) Wheel Straightening is one service we do not offer On Site. We will need your wheel at our shop for 24 to 48 hours.

2) Some Wheels will Break during the Straightening Process ***

3) WheelKraft NW does not employ the use of heat in our straightening process.

4) If WheelKraft NW cannot make your wheel roadworthy again, there is NO CHARGE for our service.

Call or contact us for an estimate and one of our well mannered staff will be happy to help you.

We will not Weld a Cracked or Broken Wheel.      Here’s why.    DISPOSITION OF ABNORMALITIES:   ”In the event of distortions or cracks on the alloy wheels, please refrain from repairing them yourself or sending them to any repair shop. The strength of the alloy wheels can be greatly reduced by the heat generated by welding torches. Furthermore, those distortion curvatures are rarely discernible to the naked eye. To avoid such dangers, consult manufacturer.”   Koenig Wheels          Every Alloy Manufacturer has a similar warning and most void any existing warranty if the use of heat is evident on the wheel.

*** Wheelkraft NW is not liable for any damage that occurs during the wheel straightening process. Wheel straightening and wheel damage repair/refinishing are separate charges.

High performance wheels are expensive and customized ones can cost even more.  Ensure the life of your wheels and keep them looking like new with WheelKraftNW’s help!  Our trained staff can refinish, straighten or customize your wheels all for less than dealership cost.  Don’t spend a fortune on wheels, call us and save your money for Saturday night.

Curb damage is an ugly sight on a luxury car yet so simple to repair.   Our team of wheel specialist will come to your home or office to do the job for you!  Your damaged wheels are removed from the vehicle and placed on a specially designed prep station/paint booth inside our self-contained reconditioning service van. The wheels are carefully repaired, prepped, primed, painted and finally clear-coated, giving the wheel a like new appearance. The wheels are allowed to cure under infrared lamps for a short time and placed back on your vehicle where it is ready to roll. The total time required to repair the average wheel is about one hour.  How’s that for fast and easy!

Hit a pothole? Bend a rim?  Nothing brings down the performance or the safety of a tire like a bent rim.  That doesn’t mean you need to a buy a new wheel.  Bring it in and we can straighten that rim for you for a fraction of the cost (on site service is not available).  Is the wheel too damaged to fix?  Not a problem, we can remanufacture it or help you find a reasonable replacement that fits your car.

No other accessory on a vehicle gets more attention than the wheels.  Add flash and individuality to your luxury vehicle with services like brake caliper painting and factory wheel customization.  We can change the color or add machine finish and pin striping to your wheels to give them the accent you want.  Make them as unique as you are and customize the look of your car.

Luxury vehicles can be expensive to maintain.  Don’t throw away your money on over prices services.  Give WheelKraftNW a call or simply fill out the contact form to have a qualified team member show you how to save today!

The first option is refinishing. Refinishing can fix any dings, pits or curb rash you might have on your wheels. Our experienced technicians can come to you and repair all these problems in our customized work truck designed with your convenience in mind.

Straightening is another option. If your rim is bent or damaged we can straighten it back to like new conditions. Best of all you don’t have to replace all the tires on the car to keep them looking uniformed and matching in age and finish.

Sometimes your rim is too badly damaged to just straighten or refinish. That doesn’t mean it’s worthless. There is a good chance that we can remanufacture your wheel and still save you money compared to purchasing a new one. By carefully repairing and reshaping your wheel we can restore it to proper working condition. This is something that cannot be done on all wheels but is an option you should always look into before throwing in the towel on your existing rims.

Finally not all damage is so bad you need to repair it. Some problems can be solved by simply relocating the rim on the car to another spot. This can counter act the problems of the rim so that they are not an issue for you anymore. This is a very commonly known thing but most wheel companies don’t tell you so that they can charge you for more expensive services. Our concern is our customer’s satisfaction and safety. We will happily inform you of a cheaper but still a safe option to ensure your happiness.

Save time, money and help save our landfills by repairing instead of replacing damaged wheels. If you would like to know more about what WheelKraft Northwest can do for you or would like to schedule a free estimate call us, or visit our contact page, and a qualified technician will be happy to help

As much as it saddens us to say, not all wheels are repairable.  Sometimes the damage is too extensive or even worse, someone steals your wheel!  Don’t despair, we can help!

WheelKraft Northwest has an extensive network of local wheel resources that can help us find the wheel you need to match your vehicle.  No need to go looking all over town for your perfect match, let us do it for you.  Take advantage of our knowledge and experience in the wheel industry.  Whether your wheel is standard or custom we can get the job done.  Call or stop by to find out more about our great services.

If the wheels are damaged in any way, they may actually hit you up for the cost of replacement wheels!  If you’re lucky they will only charge you for wheel refinishing, however, this will still be at a significantly higher cost than what we would charge.  The average cost of replacement today is around $400-$600 a wheel.  Our charge for wheel refinishing is $100-$150 per wheel, depending on the make/model and the extent of the damage.

We fix it for a fraction of the wheel replacement cost!  Let our experienced team members go over your wheels and restore them to near mint condition for you.  Call or fill out our contact form for a free estimate on your wheels today.  Save money now!

Nothing makes a car stand out more than custom wheels.  Make your car as unique as you are and never have it mistaken for someone else’s again.  At WheelKraft NW we know and offer the options you want for your wheel customization, including: changing the color through paint or powder coating, a machine finish, and/or we also do pin striping.  Additionally, we offer brake caliper painting for that extra touch.  Let us ‘pimp your ride’ with the wheels you have always wanted and customize them even further!  Call or fill out our contact form today and one of our team members will contact you to help you get started on your wheel customization.

Northwest winters can be murder on your high performance wheels. One particularly nasty element is the de-icer that our department of transportation puts on the road during icy weather.  De-icer chemicals can cause significant damage to your tires and rims; luckily WheelKraftNW is here to help!

A significant wheel problem de-icer creates is chrome peeling.  The de-icer causes corrosion between the chrome and aluminum resulting in a peeling chrome finish.  De-icer can also cause pitting, fading and can even make your aluminum wheels look white and chalky.  Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent the de-icer from being on the road but there is something you can do to resolve the damage.

WheelKraftNW’s wheel repair services here in Portland are extensive.  Not only can we refinish any pitted, faded or chalky white wheel, we can also handle peeling chrome through our partnership. Although it can take some time to accomplish there is nothing in wheel repair we can’t handle.

Don’t let your money go to waste on new wheels!  Restore yours and save with WheelKraftNW!  Simply call or fill out our contact form and our team of experts will be happy to give you a free estimate.