The second unfortunate downside to casting is that the casting process leaves imperfections in the aluminum, due to its minimal pressure manufacturing technique. The more imperfections a wheel has, the more likely it is to bend or crack. To solve this problem, cast wheels are generally produced thicker in order to add stability to the wheel. Thicker wheel walls result in heavier wheel weight, and we've all been trained to believe unsprung weight is the root of all evil. According to TSW, however, a lightweight wheel may add a little extra performance, but the majority of cars with aftermarket wheels spend most of their time on city streets-the same city streets that also have curbs, large potholes, and speed bumps. If a wheel is too light, it may have a tendency to bend more easily then a heavier, sturdier wheel, when driven into said curb, pothole, or speed bump. TSW also points out that manufactured vehicles are designed to handle certain weight wheels. Although utilizing a comparatively heavy wheel may seem like it could hurt the suspension components, TSW says that is not the case. Chances are, unless you're installing a set of 50-pound chrome plated SUV wheels on your Mk 2 Golf or you're an avid track racer, weight should not be too much of a concern.
Source: TSW, www.tsw.com
Wheel Care for DummiesWe're about to reveal a secret that no car care product manufacturer wants you to know: The only products you need to clean your wheels are car soap, warm water, and a sponge.
Actually, most car care product manufacturers will be the first to admit that these three products are all that are needed-if we lived in a perfect world. If you cleaned your wheels weekly, or depending on the weather, daily, you would never need to buy a cleaning agent for your wheels. Since most of us don't have the time to clean our wheels every evening, there are a multitude of wheel cleaning products on the market that are designed to make our lives easier.
Most manufacturers of quality car care products, such as Mothers, Meguiar's, and Eagle One, have at least one wheel care product. Mothers, for example, has three entirely different products that are designed to clean wheels. Before you can purchase any product, however, you need to determine which kind of wheels you have. Once you've decided which product is right for your wheels, be sure to turn the container over and read the directions-and most importantly, follow the directions. Most people damage their wheels by either using the wrong product or not following the directions at all.
If you pick up any wheel-cleaning product and read the label, it will specifically tell you which wheel types it is designed for. Some wheel cleaners are formulated to clean chrome and chrome plated wheels, while others are pH-balanced for uncoated aluminum, polished, or anodized wheels only. If you use the wrong product on your wheel you could end up permanently staining the wheel, so before you clean any wheel with a cleaning agent you should always test the product on a small, hidden portion of the wheel first.
Once you have determined your wheel type, choose the appropriate wheel cleaner for the job. Mothers Wheel Mist multi-purpose cleaner is designed for cleaning hub caps, painted, and clear coated wheels, Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish is specifically formulated for non-coated wheels, and Mothers Wheel Mist is designed to clean wire hub caps, chrome, and wire wheels. Mothers recommends waiting for your wheels to cool completely, and cleaning your wheels in the shade in order to eliminate any chance of etching. Spray the cleaning agent on the wheel starting at the bottom and work your way up. Leave the product on the wheel for about two minutes and then rinse the wheel with water. In the event that the wheel is extremely dirty, you may need to use a nonabrasive brush, or clean the wheel multiple times.