Alloy wheels can make a big difference in a car or motorcycle, with improved handling and a beautiful appearance. Because of this, enthusiasts have been upgrading to larger wheels for years, replacing basic steel wheels and hubcaps to set a vehicle apart from others and to provide a smoother ride.

The staging area at the wheel repair facility.To capitalize on this trend, manufacturers have begun to change their styling to appeal to consumer demand for larger and flashier wheels, equipping even everyday vehicles like SUVs, compact cars, vans and motorcycles with larger-diameter alloy wheels.

While they look great, alloy wheels present a problem. Wheels from European manufacturers like Volvo, as well as 2 and 3 piece wheels, like Asanti & Vellano tend to be soft and are more easily damaged. When they are damaged - bent or curbed, among other potential issues - do you need to completely replace them?

Replacing your wheels - through a dealer or local performance wheel shop - can cost hundreds of dollars and take days, weeks or sometimes even months for special order 3 piece wheels.

For alloy wheel repair in Chicago, contact Russell our Manager at 773-445-2000

Repair vs. Replace

Because replacing a factory wheel can range from $350 to $2,000 per wheel (for some Porsche wheels), those who didn't want to invest in wheel replacement from a dealer began asking about having them "bent" back out - and the alloy wheel rim repair industry was born.

So long as safety isn't an issue (that is, when a wheel can be repaired by a professional technician without jeopardizing the lives of the passengers relying on the wheel to do its job), then alloy wheel repair is an excellent choice for economy and cosmetic restoration. But when a wheel has been damaged severely, Exotic Wheel will not compromise your safety: if there's any question, we'll err on the side of not repairing what could lead to serious injury.

Cracks can be Serious Business

Cracks are of particular importance, because they are the single most common type of damage that can leave a wheel beyond repair. When a wheel bends near the base of a spoke, haze marks in the finish can sometimes be seen and indicate cracks. Because repairing a wheel is not always best in a particular situation, it is important that the wheel is thoroughly examined.

We value your safety above everything else and, for that reason, Exotic Wheel considers a wheel to be irreparable if cracks appear:

*Near the base of a spoke
*Near the lug area

On the inner lip of the wheel away from the spokes, this type of damage is usually salvageable.

Cracks are particularly common on chrome-plated wheels, where the chroming process tends to render the wheel more brittle than a standard-finish wheel. Sometimes, if a chrome wheel is bent severely, the chrome has to be removed because there can be cracks underneath the chrome. In the case of a cracked chrome wheel, we will grind the chrome out and re-weld it.