How to Protect Custom Wheels & Tires from Damage

No matter what stage of your custom build you’re on, whether you’ve only installed a lift kit and a few other parts or you’ve already completed your dream build, there’s a very good chance that your vehicle has custom wheels and tires on it by now. Now that you’ve upgraded your vehicle’s aesthetics and performance with these beautiful new additions, it’s crucial to shield them from damage and excessive wear and tear to protect your investment. Today we’re going to share with you some tips & tricks on how to protect your custom wheels and tires from damage, so that they can stay in great condition for years to come.

Naturally, the most important thing to do to protect any part of your vehicle is to clean it regularly and keep up with regular maintenance. Your wheels and tires can become covered in things like dirt, brake dust and road grime, which can accumulate and ultimately cause corrosion or discoloration over time. Here are a few tips for regular cleaning and maintenance:

• Make sure to use the right products. It’s not a bad idea to invest in some high-quality wheel and tire cleaners specifically designed for the kinds that you have, but at least make sure to avoid things like harsh chemicals and tools that are too abrasive, as they can cause more harm than good.
• When we say regular, we mean you should be doing it on a schedule, and the schedule should be fairly frequent. If you truly want to protect your investment, consider cleaning them once a month.
• An oft overlooked step in the cleaning process is to dry your wheels thoroughly with a microfiber cloth, as not doing so can not only lead to water spots but could also cause corrosion over time.
• Stay on top of regularly scheduled maintenance such as tire rotations and balancing as well as alignment checks, to make sure your tires wear out evenly and you get the most out of them.
• Technically part of that last step, though important enough to break it away, be sure to check your tire pressure regularly to ensure that you’re maintaining optimal figures.

Our second suggestion kind of goes right along with cleaning, but it’s another great way to protect the investment you made in these custom wheels and tires. We’re talking about applying protective coatings, as these can create a barrier against dirt, water and contaminants, helping to preserve the appearance and integrity of your custom wheels and tires. Make sure to do something for each, like a ceramic coating for the wheels and tire sealant for the tires.

• Applying a ceramic coating to your wheels can provide long-lasting protection against brake dust, road grime and even ultraviolet rays. Ceramic coatings create a hydrophobic surface, making it easier to clean your wheels – which in turn makes your first step easier – and keep them looking new.
• Tire sealants can help protect your tires from UV damage, cracking and fading. They also provide a layer of protection against road debris and contaminants.

If your custom build was geared towards off-roading, then this step is going to be a little difficult, but you should try to avoid driving in harsh environments as much as you can. These types of environments can increase the risk of damage to your wheels and tires, so it’s best to try to avoid them. For example, driving on severely worn roadways, particularly those plagued with potholes, can cause dents, cracks, scratches and so much more. Be sure to reduce your speed and drive cautiously if such an area is unavoidable.

If you do take your vehicle off-roading, or even if you’ve driven your vehicle along a particularly dirty road, or one that’s been covered in road salt and de-icing chemicals, it's important to wash those wheels and tires as soon as you can to mitigate the amount of harm they can cause.

Protecting your custom wheels from theft is just as important as protecting them from damage. Wheel locks provide an additional layer of security by making it difficult for thieves to remove your wheels. Invest in high-quality wheel locks and use them on all four wheels to deter theft. If you have any questions about any of the information we’ve given you here, don’t hesitate to reach out to us right here at Glover Customs.