Polishing rims: between eye-catcher and safety

adminonJune 4, 2022February 11, 2022Leave a Comment

For many, the rims on a car are the real attraction. To make sure they stay that way for a long time and don’t become a case for the rim doctor, they need the right care and maintenance. Polishing, cleaning, and repairing rims – this is how it works.

Nowadays, in addition to its technical function, a rim is above all an eye-catcher that enhances the appearance of a car. There are a total of three different types of rims, which differ in the basic materials from which they are made. This includes the steel rim, the aluminum rim and those made of chrome. All of them have certain properties that speak for or against them.

Roughly speaking, aluminum and chrome rims can be more popular and also more expensive as steel rims are. The higher degree of popularity is a result of the more appealing optics. The higher price is due to the fact that light alloy rims require more material and are generally more complex to manufacture. this also ensures that alloy wheels, so that they have a greater longevity have heavier in weight. Chrome rims have the disadvantage that even a rim doctor is often not able to repair them.

1. Steel rims: what makes them? How are they nurtured?

The two greatest advantages of steel rims are their robustness and their favorable price compared to aluminum and chrome rims. The lower price is also the main reason why they are often used for the winter season, which is shorter in Germany. This is only a few months compared to the summer season and the transitional periods. That’s why it’s worth buying expensive rims made of light alloy or chrome for the winter wheels for enthusiasts only, as they are then only used for a short period of time.

Cars whose rims are rusted have no disadvantage at the main inspection. They get the appropriate operating permit if they are properly registered in the vehicle documents after installation and have an ABE (general operating permit).

Cleaning and maintenance

In the first step, you spray the rims thoroughly with a high-pressure cleaner from. If you don’t have one at home, you can find such devices at self-service car washes. afterwards you spray rim cleaner and leave it on for between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the instructions on the bottle. Then clean the rim with a cloth or a narrow brush.

If you find particularly stubborn dirt on your steel rims, such as burnt-in brake dust, you should take the car to the workshop toothpaste for help. Make sure that the paste does not contain abrasive particles, such as those found in toothpastes for particularly white teeth. Work the toothpaste thoroughly into the residues with an old toothbrush and wait a few minutes. Dirt can be easily removed with a cloth afterwards.

When cleaning and polishing your steel rims, pay attention to this, no chemical or abrasive cleaning agents to use, because they damage the paint layer. If in doubt, test the agent in an inconspicuous place.

Prepare steel rims by yourself

One disadvantage of steel rims is that they start to wear out, especially when used frequently in winter rust and devalue the overall appearance of the vehicle. Once this has happened, polishing the rims will not help either. Only a new coat of paint can remedy the situation. You can also do this yourself in a few steps.

first remove the old paint from the rim. This can be done in several ways. Among other things, a sandblasting cabin is suitable here, but it is very expensive. Use the much cheaper abrasive paper, but it is more labor intensive to use. Alternatively, an attachment for the drill can be used. For particularly stubborn rust, use a wire brush attachment.
To keep the surface as even as possible, sand the rim completely with a medium-grit (about 400 grit) wet abrasive paper.
clean the rim thoroughly afterwards from grinding dust and other dirt. Use either nitro thinner or a silicone remover for this purpose.
Now prime the rim with a two-component filler, such as an epoxy resin.
Then you sand again with a sandpaper with finer grit (600 to 800) wet off.
Choose a color and paint the rim. Do this in several coats, making sure that the spray can or gun is always in motion during the painting process. How to avoid ugly paint noses.
Then seal the surface with clear varnish. Make sure that the individual components (primer, paint and clearcoat) are compatible with each other and do not lead to undesirable reactions.

Instead of painting the steel rim, it is also possible to paint it with a powder coating to be provided. This is extremely resistant, but also costs much more than a paint job.

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2. Chrome rims: how to treat them right?

Probably the biggest difference between chrome rims and steel rims is that they are not painted and the classic rim polishing process is not used on them either. They get their characteristic glossy look from the galvanization process. in principle, they are chromed aluminum rims. Like magnesium rims, they also belong to the light metal rim segment, even though chrome is classified as a transition metal in the chemical sense.

The advantage over painted rims is that they are extremely durable with regard to hot brake dust are, which often burns in. Due to their high degree of stiffness, brushes and rags do not normally cause any damage. However, precisely because of their hardness, there is also a certain sensitivity to shock, so that they are damaged when they come into contact with curbs and guide rails in the washing system.

How to clean and polish your chrome rims

do not use conventional rim cleaners! even with chrome rims, stay away from abrasive cleaning agents. Normal rim cleaners also contain abrasives that take the shine off the surface.
Use instead better warm water or a special cleaner for chrome rims. In fact, a clean cloth and a little warm water is usually enough to clean a chrome rim. Instead, rinsing agent or a chrome polish are also good to use. the latter has the additional advantage that it usually also removes annoying rust easily.
Home remedies are also useful for polishing your chrome wheels: a little vinegar or baking soda will give them a new shine. Apply a thin layer of polish, let it work for a moment, and then rub it in gently with a soft cloth.
If the rims are still too dull, polish them with a clean cloth.

When using chrome rims, make sure that the chrome plating is really through galvanization has been reached. Various dealers offer chrome rims with SLC coating. this is a powder coating that does not meet the same quality standard.

3. Polishing, cleaning and repairing aluminum rims – but how??

Rims made of aluminum are mainly for optical reasons bought. Especially in the tuning scene but also overall they enjoy great popularity. Originally, they were used because they were lighter and therefore improved ride comfort and reduced wear on shock absorbers and suspension. In the meantime, however, aluminum rims are built with much more material, so this advantage is gone.

To get dirty rims clean again, first clean them with water before cleaning. This also works with a ride through the car wash quite well. For more stubborn dirt like burnt brake dust, home remedies like oven spray, the mentioned toothpaste or even a cleaning stone are good to use. To polish the rims, use polishing discs and pastes.

Cleaning with oven spray: after pre-cleaning, let the rims dry well or rub them dry with a cloth. Spray them then from the outside and inside with oven spray and let the agent act for 15 minutes. Then you spray the rims with a water hose or rinse them with a water bucket. Alternatively, you simply remove the residue with a cloth.
Cleaning with toothpaste: put a little toothpaste on a slightly damp cloth. Rub the dirty places with it vigorously and remove the dirt so. Then rinse the rims with clean water again.
Cleaning with a cleaning stone: rub a damp sponge over the polishing stone and then wring it out to get a foam. Then use it to clean your aluminum rims and rinse them with fresh water.

Repairing minor damage yourself

The biggest enemies of aluminum rims are the usual aids against black ice on roads, i.e. grit and road salt. Also make sure not to touch the surface with them curbs and guide rails to the rim, as this will result in unsightly scratches or even hairline cracks. If this happens to you, you have the option of taking the alloy rims to a rim doctor. You can also easily repair minor damage yourself. Proceed as follows:

Clean the damaged area of the rim with nitro thinner so that the damage is clearly visible.
Then sand the surface with a coarser sandpaper with a grit of about 240. Then sand again with a finer grit of about 360 over the alloy rim and blow off all dust.
Tape the surrounding areas cleanly and protect especially the tire, which can be damaged by the paint and the sanding process.
Now fill the damaged area with a little repair filler and then smooth it out. It is important that you read the instructions for use of the filler carefully, as it is mixed in a specific ratio.
Allow the result to cure. The rule of thumb here is: it is better to wait a little too long! If the result does not meet your expectations, repeat the procedure.

Be careful. scratches must not be deeper than 2 millimeters in any case. Is namely a hairline crack present, the rim must be replaced.

paint aluminum rims by yourself

It is also possible that you paint your alufelge independently. For this you need different equipment like sandpaper with grits from coarse to very fine. You will also need a primer for aluminum, rim and clear coat, and a dust mask. Ideally, you have an assembly machine at your disposal. Now follow the steps below:

You start with polishing the rims to remove small scratches. This is easily done with some sandpaper of grit 240.
Then remove the old paint. Use wet sandpaper with different grits for the individual sanding phases. First a grit of 400, then 600 and finally 800 or 1000. The varnish can also be chemically removed or sandblasted. However, make sure to completely remove the sanding dust immediately afterwards and use the dust protection mask during this process.
Now clean the surface of the alloy rim. A commercially available silicone remover or nitro thinner is suitable for this purpose.
Now you prime the rim with a so-called filler. you will often find this also under the name "alu-primierung".
Now paint the alloy rim in the desired color. Keep the spray can or gun in constant motion so that no ugly paint noses are left behind. Then apply the clear coat. Make sure that the individual components you have used are compatible with each other.

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4. If nothing else helps, the rim doctor is the only option

If the existing damage to your rim can no longer be repaired by yourself, or if you do not trust yourself with this procedure, a rim doctor can help rim doctor. It repairs damage caused, for example, by curbs. This will risk of hairline cracks reduce the damage and you will save the money for a new purchase. The rim doctor offers various repair options, which differ in their scope of work and thus in the costs incurred. Painting, for instance, is cheaper than powder coating, but also more vulnerable.

Get one in any case cost estimate create from the rim doctor. Here’s how to assess if it’s worth the effort or if buying new rims is more beneficial for you.

Typical cases for the rim doctor

Minor dents and dings
Paint chips
scratches and nicks
Scrapes and corrosion damage
Stubborn dirt

services at the rim doctor

Rim polishing
Sanding and filling
priming and painting
powder coatings
Round notches

typical cases for the rim doctor services at the rim doctor

minor dents and dings	rims polishing
paint chips	sanding and filling
scratches and nicks	priming and painting
abrasions and corrosion damage	powder coatings
stubborn dirt	notches round

Chrome rims or those with finishes of chrome and titanium are no case for the rim doctor. even the selective reconditioning of chrome rims is not an option, as this is not permitted according to the stvo (german road traffic regulations).

New dataforce forecast: this is how the european car market will develop in 2022

the chip crisis will continue to affect the automotive world in 2022.

In 2022, demand will again be significantly higher than supply – which will have a noticeable impact on car dealers and fleets. But there is also reason for optimism.

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Despite uncertainties, dataforce expects rising car sales in the european market in 2022. According to a current forecast by the Frankfurt-based industry observers, around 12.6 million new passenger cars are expected to be registered in europe next year. Compared to 2021, that would be an increase of 8.9 percent. Reasons are a slight increase in vehicle production in the first half of the year and stronger growth in the second half, it said.

According to the experts, the private market will develop somewhat more strongly than new commercial registrations. Although dataforce expects more significant growth in the market for company cars, car rental companies, manufacturers and retailers will probably continue to be supplied only to a limited extent.

"Even if the bottom falls out, vehicle production will remain the bottleneck in 2022."

(benjamin kibies- dataforce senior automotive analyst)

"Even if the market bottoms out, vehicle production will remain the bottleneck in 2022. Demand is significantly greater than supply. Therefore, manufacturers will continue to focus on high-margin sales in 2022", explained dataforce analyst benjamin kibies. Major customers such as car rental companies or large fleet operators would receive fewer discounts, and manufacturers’ and dealers’ own registrations would be further restricted.

Growth in e-cars slows down

Electric vehicles will further expand their market share next year. However, the pace of growth is reported to be slowing down. Kibies: "we expect BEVs, PHEVs and HEVs together to gain only 3.5 percentage points of market share. The improved supply situation for semiconductors allows manufacturers to produce more gasoline and diesel vehicles again." as EV share continues to rise, manufacturers will also have to worry less about their CO2 targets.

At the same time, it is becoming more difficult to attract additional customers. In the premium segment, many buyers already drive electric. For small and compact passenger cars, however, the surcharge for BEVs is still relatively high and ranges are shorter; at the same time, some countries are reducing their EV subsidies.

Julian de groot, head of sales, product and marketing at dataforce, added: "we are going to see a very strange year in 2022, which will probably be influenced by the chip shortage in the first half of the year. Brand market shares could show unusual swings depending on who can secure access to chips and batteries. The EV train will keep moving, but will face obstacles due to lack of infrastructure. (…) one thing we can say is that the kilometers driven per person will remain relatively low in the coming years."

At this time, the license plate makes it clear whether a vehicle is registered and allowed to participate in road traffic. But the marking that seems so commonplace to us today has a very interesting background and fulfills a function that should not be underestimated. In this section we will focus on the different aspects that characterize the license plate.

The history of the license plate

By no means is the marking of a vehicle a recent invention. Known are already different markings of the roman chariots, which were in use about two thousand years ago. Even clearer parallels can be drawn with the carriages that ran in england in the 17th century. find out about the 21st century. Boards were once attached to them to help make the distinction.

From 1907 at the latest, it was compulsory in Germany to attach a license plate to the still young cars. For this purpose, a uniform system was developed in the empire, which was valid in all parts of it. This had become necessary in order to be able to identify all participants in road traffic without any doubt. Traffic offenses, up to and including hit-and-run driving, could only be safely punished in this way.

An overview of the different license plates of the past century shows that the license plate itself evolved. The most recent coining goes back to the european union, which provided for a uniform marking for all vehicles. Since then, it has been possible to determine the country of origin within the EU on the left edge of the plate.

The structure in germany

Recognizability and good memorability were selected as important criteria for the design of modern license plates. The standard symbols are able to present the identity in a short form, so that they can be easily interpreted. The euro banderole is followed, from left to right, by the regional distinctive sign, which allows the car to be assigned to a specific region. One or two letters are then written down before the series of numbers with up to four digits follows. This structure, which is always the same, makes it possible to recognize and assign a license plate even with a cursory glance.

From registration to license plate

But what steps do german drivers have to take before they get the license plate they need to participate in road traffic?? The basic prerequisite for this is the conclusion of a motor vehicle insurance policy, the confirmation of which must already be available. With the right documents, a visit to the vehicle registration office is now necessary to register the new vehicle. The decisive factors are:

Vehicle registration document (registration certificate part I)
Vehicle registration document (registration certificate part II)
insurance certificate with evb number
identity card or passport

Over the past few years, the desire to have your own combination of letters and numbers immortalized on the license plate has become established. Therefore, it is now common practice for the clerks to ask for specific requests. If no other driver has yet decided on the combination, it is now possible to secure the desired license plate for a one-time special fee of ten euros.

After the registration office has issued a license plate, it only needs to be embossed in duplicate. Near the registration office, there are usually several stores offering their services for this purpose. After the digits and letters have been inserted into the embossing machine, only a few moments pass before the finished license plate can be handed over. Back at the registration office, it is now possible to receive the stickers that complete the award.

What does my license plate cost?

The issuance of new license plates also entails costs. On the one hand, this is the fee for registering or re-registering the vehicle at the registration office. But even for the production of the plates must be paid separately. Depending on the provider, a fee of between 20 and 30 euros is charged. the total price for the re-registration, including new plates, is therefore around 30 to 60 euros.

If you like your original license plate, you can keep it and use it for your new vehicle. Whereas a blocking period once prevented a license plate from being issued again after a short time, this is now possible the very next day. The safest way to make the license plate usable for the new car is to make the reservation. Many counties offer this option for a small fee of just three euros.

Exception 3D license plate

already since 2013 it is possible in germany to choose a plastic license plate, which is offered alternatively. The different material alone marks a difference to the regular plates made of sheet metal. Advantages are to be found in the durability: plastic license plates do not dent and scratch less. Since no classic varnish is applied to the plate, it remains in good condition for a longer time.

During production, the numbers and letters are anchored to a plastic base plate. This is why they later protrude a little more, which led to the colloquial term 3D license plate. Of course, the plastic alternative has the same validity and entitles the holder to participate in road traffic. Only the costs are a little higher than for the classic products made of aluminum. The cost of a pair of plates is between 50 and 60 euros, which has so far prompted only a few car owners to opt for this variant.

Special license plate in the field of vision

In addition to the classic version of the license plate, millions of which can be admired on german roads, there is also one or two other special forms. In the following, we would like to take a look at these various options, which can bring advantages for the vehicle owner in certain scenarios.

The e-plate

Since september 2015, there has been the opportunity to provide vehicles with the so-called e-license plate. Its structure is the same as a classic license plate, the main difference being the letter "E", which is attached behind the last digit of the identification number. Purely electrically powered vehicles, fuel cell vehicles and hybrid vehicles that can be charged externally are eligible for registration. The main advantage lies in the tax rebates that can be claimed through this registration. this is an attempt to strengthen electromobility in germany.

The seasonal license plate

The opportunity to use seasonal license plates has been available in germany since 1997. This was designed for the owners of vehicles that are used seasonally, such as a convertible. Since the introduction of the seasonal license plate, it is no longer necessary for this group of drivers to make regular trips to the registration office.

A so-called operating area is defined at the office, for which the car is registered in the future and which can be chosen by the driver himself. The black indication on the edge of the license plate then indicates the two to a maximum of eleven months during which the vehicle may be operated. Outside this period, however, participation in road traffic and parking in road traffic are prohibited.

Short-term license plate

The short-term license plate is intended for a maximum period of five days. This can be applied for if test or transfer drives are pending. The key feature is the expiration date, which is indicated by three numbers written one below the other on the right-hand side. The exact expiration date from which the license plate loses its function can be read off here. If you want to use the short-term license plate, you have to reckon with costs of about 40 euros. The cost of producing the pair of plates and the associated processing fee that has to be paid.

Interchangeable license plate

Since July 2012, it has been possible to register two different vehicles with only one license plate. This is possible on the condition that both vehicles are owned by the same owner and that both vehicles can be assigned to the same class. On the one hand, the interchangeable license plate consists of an interchangeable element that has to be changed before the vehicle can be driven. In addition, there is a fixed part for both vehicles. The "changeable license plate" was once designed to offer owners of several private vehicles the chance to save money. However, not every insurer offers the possibility of benefiting financially from the choice of a changeable license plate. These days, only a few drivers decide to have their vehicles marked in such a flexible way.

License plate for classic cars

The so-called classic car license plates, which can also result in financial savings on registration, have long since become well-known. The decisive factor is that a separate operating permit for vintage vehicles has been issued on the basis of an expert opinion. For this purpose, only vehicles that have been registered for road traffic for at least 30 years and that are to be used for the "preservation of the motor-vehicle cultural heritage" can be considered. Furthermore, the vehicle must be in a condition worthy of preservation and contain at least 90 percent original or original components. Due to the H-plate, the tax of the vehicle is not calculated according to the exhaust gas value and the engine capacity. Instead, a flat fee of 192 euros per year will be charged.

Dealer plates

Car dealers and other professionals in the vehicle industry also have the option of applying for a dealer plate for previously unregistered vehicles. In this way, the vehicles are tax-privileged and only a lump-sum vehicle tax is due for them. The red license plates that can be seen on the roads from time to time are also issued with a time limit in some cases. The license plate number always starts with "06" in this special version.

In principle, the red dealer license plates are not assigned to a specific vehicle. In this respect, they can be used several times, provided that all journeys marked with them are carried out by only one company. Once again, the focus shifts to transfer journeys, test journeys or trial journeys. It is not possible for private individuals to obtain such license plates.

Tax exempt license plate

Green license plates also have a certain meaning, which in this case indicates that the vehicle is tax-exempt. Vehicles belonging to non-profit organizations, tractors used in agriculture and forestry, and some trailers can be registered in this way at a favorable price. In order to obtain a green license plate at the registration office, it is necessary to present the corresponding authorization, which is the responsibility of the customs authorities.

License plates from the internet

In recent years, a lively market has developed on the Internet, which also specializes in the stamping of license plates. Numerous companies have since been advertising for orders, which can be submitted directly via the internet. Even there offered prices can be seen mostly. Due to the strong competition, a pair of plates is often available at a much lower price than at the regional exhibitors near the registration office.

If you decide to buy from a reputable online dealer, you also have the option of obtaining a fully valid license plate. The only minor drawback is the delay that can creep into the period between the purchase of the vehicle and its first participation in public road traffic. However, some internet vendors advertise next-day delivery of the plates, which now only need to be fitted with the stickers.