Riding around with old, dusty, dull, unpolished or unfinished wheels? Did you realize that the look of your wheels can make a HUGE difference in the overall appearance of your vehicle? A simple & inexpensive wheel job at Phoenix Rim Repair can enhance the look of your vehicle. The appearance of new and shiny rims or wheels makes a world of difference!  
 
Lots of EFFECT and little expense!!! Nice wheels are like wearing a tux - your car goes from casual to dapper overnight. 
 
On this recent job you will see the awesome improvement on the wheels of this Billet Specialties wheel. See for yourself:

For complete information about different wheel damage and what phoenix rim repair can and cannot repair, visit our learning page.

Check out our instagram page for more current pics and videos of work we have recently completed!

Here are some factors to consider when choosing wheels for your vehicle:

• Size: Wheels come in a variety of sizes, measured by their diameter and width. It is important to choose wheels that are the correct size for your vehicle, as this will affect the handling and performance of your car.
• Offset: Offset is the distance between the center of the wheel and the mounting surface. It is important to choose wheels with the correct offset for your vehicle, as this will affect the fitment of the wheels and tires.
• Bolt pattern: Bolt pattern is the number of lug nuts and the distance between them. It is important to choose wheels with the correct bolt pattern for your vehicle, as this will ensure that the wheels can be properly secured.
• Weight: Wheels can vary in weight, with lighter wheels being better for performance and fuel economy. However, lighter wheels can also be more expensive.
• Material: Wheels are made from a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, and magnesium. Steel wheels are the most affordable, but they are also the heaviest. Aluminum wheels are more expensive than steel wheels, but they are also lighter and stronger. Magnesium wheels are the lightest and strongest, but they are also the most expensive.
• Finish: Wheels come in a variety of finishes, including chrome, black, and silver. The finish of the wheels is a matter of personal preference.
• Price: Wheels can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. The price of the wheels will depend on the size, material, finish, and brand.

Once you have considered these factors, you can start shopping for wheels. There are a variety of places to buy wheels, including online retailers, brick-and-mortar stores, and dealerships. When shopping for wheels, it is important to compare prices and read reviews to find the best deal on the wheels that are right for your vehicle.

Here are some additional tips for choosing wheels for your vehicle:

• Do your research: Before you start shopping, it is important to do your research and learn as much as you can about wheels. This will help you make an informed decision when you are ready to buy.
• Talk to a professional: If you are not sure what size, style, or material of wheels to choose, it is a good idea to talk to a professional. A qualified mechanic or wheel specialist can help you choose the right wheels for your vehicle.
• Buy quality wheels: It is important to buy quality wheels that are made from a strong material and have a good finish. Cheap wheels may be tempting, but they are more likely to bend, crack, or rust.
• Have the wheels installed professionally: Once you have chosen your wheels, it is important to have them installed by a professional. This will ensure that the wheels are installed correctly and that they are safe to use.

When you have the right wheels, come in to see us and we'll do the rest - color coat? No problem. Clear coat? No problem. Remedy curb rash? Easy peasy! We do it all.

​Come deal with the best and forget the rest!

         Wheels are an essential part of any vehicle, and they come in various materials and designs. Two of the most popular options are alloy wheels and steel wheels. While both serve the same purpose, there are several benefits of choosing alloy wheels over steel wheels.

1. Better fuel economy and less rolling resistance Alloy wheels offer a more rigid construction, which allows for less deflection of the wheel compared to steel. This translates to better fuel economy and less rolling resistance, which means your vehicle can travel further on the same amount of fuel.
2. Better cosmetic appearance Alloy wheels offer a more aesthetically appealing appearance compared to steel wheels. They come in a range of styles, designs, and finishes, making it easier to find a wheel that matches your vehicle's style and personality.
3. Simplicity Steel wheels usually have wheel covers or hub caps to achieve a visually appealing appearance. This makes the assembly multiple pieces, which is less than ideal compared to the mono-block construction of most alloy wheels. With alloy wheels, what you see is what you get, simplifying the entire assembly process.
4. Corrosion Resistance While both alloy and steel wheels are susceptible to corrosion, alloy wheels are physically thicker and can hold up longer before completely failing. In areas where the roads are treated with salt to melt ice, rust attacks steel more aggressively than corrosion attacks alloy.
5. Lightweight Alloy wheels are generally lighter weight than steel wheels of the same size and width. This means they require less energy to get moving and slow down, which translates to better acceleration and braking performance.
6. More Cosmetically Versatile Alloy wheels offer more cosmetic versatility than steel wheels, which are usually limited to a black or silver metallic painted finish. Alloy wheels, on the other hand, can be found with a range of finishes, including painted, polished, chrome-plated, CNC lathe machined, CNC mill machined, chrome-clad or painted plastic-clad, and fitted with aero covers.
7. Higher Resale Value Alloy wheels have a considerably higher resale value than steel wheels, making them a more attractive investment. In addition, some alloy wheels have a cult-like following among automotive enthusiasts, who buy and sell them as a hobby or source of income.
8. Superior in Racing Alloy wheels are superior to steel wheels in many ways in racing. They have more mass to regulate/dissipate heat generated from braking, and the same goes for heat generated from the tire during cornering. This larger mass also helps with longevity and durability. The beauty is that alloy wheels are thicker than steel to gain those benefits, but also lighter weight than steel to gain benefits in unsprung weight on the racetrack.

In conclusion, while steel wheels have some benefits, choosing alloy wheels over steel wheels offers many advantages, including better fuel economy, superior cosmetic appearance, simplicity, corrosion resistance, lightweight, more cosmetic versatility, higher resale value, and superior performance in racing. So, if you are in the market for new wheels for your vehicle, consider investing in alloy wheels.

Check out our google reviews and if you're in the area of 68th Ave and Northern in Glendale Arizona come and visit us at Express Powdercoat and Wheel Repair!

​Most of the world is hunkered down in mandatory quarantines due to the COVID-19 - or Coronavirus - pandemic that has traveled rapidly across the globe. While it seems we won’t be traveling rapidly anywhere anytime soon, that doesn’t mean we should ignore our vehicles during this time.

Being stuck at home is probably worse for your car than it is for you. An idle automobile can suffer greatly – flat or deflated tires, dried out wipers and belts, dead batteries, vermin, or small animals getting cozy in the engine or other compartments and chewing through wires, and the list goes on.

There are important precautions one can take to ensure a vehicle is in good shape no matter how often it is driven, but especially during this COVID quarantine:

Start or Drive Your Car
If allowed in your area, take a quick drive, or just run your engine in place for at least 20 minutes. This will help keep your vehicle’s moving parts lubricated and prevent tires from losing air.

Use a Sunshade or Cover
If your vehicle is parked on a street or in a lot, most likely it is just baking in the sun day in and day out and getting dirty. Using a cover can help preserve paint, cleanliness, protect from weather, pollen, sap, and bird dung. A reflective sunshade is better than nothing and can reduce the heat inside your car and protect against dashboard bleaching or cracks.

Oil Well
Oil is one of the most important features of vehicle maintenance and performance. Check oil and be sure the amount and type is acceptable. Refer to your user’s manual and change often. If you don’t want to mess with it, you can hire a mobile mechanic to come to you, anytime, not just during quarantine.

Gas Up
A full tank of gas prevents condensation forming inside the gas tank. Sometimes dangerous gas fumes can build inside a tank, and this is also prevented by keeping a full tank of gas in your vehicle.

​One of the most hectic months of the year coupled with less sunlight, overdoing the holiday cheer …or just plain being distracted on the road can wreak havoc on your car. Driving while exhausted, or worse …the carnage of December and the holidays may very likely have included some damage to your rims.

Don’t worry, we see it every year.

Maybe you hit a pothole while rubbernecking at Christmas lights, or slammed into a curb while parking in the dark battling crowds at the mall or holiday events. Sometimes it is simply unavoidable. Don’t blame yourself or the crazy holidays, just bring your vehicle into Phoenix Rim Repair and we’ll give you the best rim job you could ever imagine. Check out our work on Instagram and you’ll see what we do best!

Tire damage is frequent and there are tire shops around every corner. Easy peasy. But have you ever attempted to buy a new wheel to replace your (damaged) original? If so, you might have experienced a rude reality: expense. Fortunately for you, rim repair, wheel straightening, and refinishing can be a cost-efficient way to have brand “new” wheels. No one has to know they are repaired because, trust us, they will never be able to tell the difference.

According to a few searches we conducted on the OEM Wheel Shop Online, we determined that OEM alloy wheels cost anywhere from $70 to over $500. Yes you read that right. Regardless of the make and model of the vehicle – the availability, size and material of the rim is the determining factor and it’s not always higher for luxury vehicles.

Bent or damaged rims don’t necessarily have to be replaced. With today’s technology (our technology), rim and wheel work is easier than ever before and can be cost effective as well. We pride ourselves in refurbishing a wheel to a "like-new" condition for a reasonable cost. Phoenix Rim Repair uses specialized machinery to straighten bent rims so that they run even and smooth. We can turn around most repair jobs in a matter of hours or days depending on the timing.

Some rims are so severely damaged that the rims cannot be brought back to spec. In those rare cases, Phoenix Rim Repair does not charge for time spent if the damage cannot be fixed. In some cases, we can also assist with an exact replacement if that is needed. So inquire!

Fill out a quote form to see what we can do for your wheels today! Trashy wheels make your car look, well, trashy. We can fix that and have your ride turnin’ heads again in no time!

Phoenix Rim Repair is a wheel color coating, straightening, refinishing and rim repair service located in Phoenix, Arizona. Staff is professionally educated with over 10 years of expertise using state-of-the-art equipment. We only use the best, so we can do the best for the benefit of our many loyal customers.

Thank you for a great 2019, and cheers to a new year, with “new” wheels in 2020!

This month we are revisiting a video made just over 2 years ago when we were featured on a popular YouTube channel. Since it went live, it has gotten nearly 300,000 views on YouTube! Check it out!
​
Have you ever wondered how cars work and searched online for information on the topic? If so, you may have stumbled across the Engineering Explained website and YouTube channel owned by engineer Jason Fenske. Jason began what is now a wildly popular YouTube channel, back in 2011. With a love for car video games, a degree in mechanical engineering, and a passion to learn and teach others about how cars work, it is clear to see how he has built up a following of over 2.3 million subscribers over the last several years. His most popular YouTube video has gotten over 14 million (yes, fourteen million) views.

Powder coating may seem like a simple process, but there is a lot more to it than many realize. There is a lot of behind the scenes technology and tools that make it all work, and Jason captures this in the explanations in the video. We were honored to be featured. Check out our own Aaron Gallinger as he does what he does best, color coating! Or if you just want to see the big reveal at the end, you can see Jason unboxing the wheels after Aaron shipped to him here.

Tell us what you think!

Follow us on Instagram to keep up with all the latest and greatest, and you might get some ideas of your own to spiff up the wheels on your ride.

 Screech. Sqeak. Sqqqk. Embarrassing car sounds.

Sometimes they are a minor annoyance, sometimes it’s very embarrassing.

We’re talking about noisy brakes.

Most modern brakes are disc brakes. These cast-iron discs are squeezed between two brake pads that provide the level of friction necessary to bring the wheels to a stop. It’s important to know that you should never expect to have complete silence from your breaks at all times. In fact, if you have high-performance carbon-metallic brake pads installed, they are actually prone to making noise. Original brake pads will make less noise, but pay attention to older brakes that may be noisy due to needing to be replaced.

Common Causes of Brake Noise Include:

Worn Pads
Brake pads undergo a tremendous amount of stress every time you apply your brakes. If you’re like most people, this stress is happening many times, every single day. Over time, the pad will naturally wear down and need to be replaced.

Brake pads come with a built-in wear indicator. In fact, there are different kinds of indicators. A mechanical indicator makes noise to signal that it is time to replace the pads. If you wait too long, you are risking further damage to your vehicle and yourself.

As brakes heat up, they become noisy and less effective. Brake pad-related noise is often caused by the metal in the pad. To minimize noise from your brake pads, use pads that contain more organic brake material (Kevlar, resin, rubber, fiber, etc).

Whatever type of brake pad you choose can easy and affordable fix. However, if you allow the pads to wear down for too long, you risk damaging the rotor, which is not so cheap to replace.

Pad Vibration
If the brake pads are vibrating against the rotor, that may be what is causing the noise. This may happen just before your vehicle comes to a complete stop. There are a few ways to counter this problem. Brake damper pads might do the trick, or you could try an anti-squeal compound that comes in a spray or liquid-application form.

Brake Rotor Rust
A layer of surface rust can occur very quickly, since the rotors are exposed to the elements. Many modern wheels are designed in such a way that the vehicle’s rotors are easily visible. While rotor rust can be an eyesore, it doesn’t pose much of a problem.

As mentioned, you can expect some occasional sounds from your brakes. However, if you feel it’s something beyond the norm, it’s wise to have your brakes checked out by a professional brake specialist.

At Phoenix Rim Repair, we not only service rims, color-coating wheels, and wheel repair, we know other great professionals in the auto industry. Great looking wheels are one thing, but having a safe vehicle with working brakes and parts is the complete package. We can typically provide recommendations for certain services not in our range of expertise.

What are you waiting for? Fill out an easy quote form and we’ll contact you quickly with a full quote.

It has happened to all of us – a chewed or bent rim. The wheel is seriously bent out of shape, and so are are we about it. Not only are bent wheels and rims unsightly, and potentially dangerous, a damaged rim can cause performance issues as well. Most of the time a bent rim can be repaired, but in some cases it is advisable to replace the wheel outright. Fill out our fast quote form and we can determine the difference based on your photos. We can straighten that rim for you for a fraction of the cost of a replacement.

If one or more of your rims are bent, it can cause the following problems:

• Unnecessary suspension wear and tear
• Vibration or a shaking steering wheel syndrome
• Inconsistent, premature tire wear

At Phoenix Rim Repair, it is all in our name. Our qualified techs can restore your bent rim quickly.

Advantages of wheel straightening are:

• Less wheel damage = more safe
• Maintain and restore wheel surface finish
• Car looks more attractive, no visibly damaged wheels
• Cost efficient

Perhaps the rim is severely cracked or damaged beyond repair, or would present a safety concern. This is not a problem, we have resources and can help you find a reasonable wheel replacement. Our goal is to help you have a great looking wheels no matter what kind of car you drive. We want you to get back out onto the road as fast as possible.

Call or fill out our quick quote form and see what we can do for you!

​The average driver has no idea what type of wheel metal they have and why it matters. Today, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of alloy wheels and steel wheels. Often a choice for high performance and better looking wheels, the alloy wheel is typically the standard on most vehicles. For work vehicles or those driven daily in strenuous terrain or harsh winter weather, steel wheels seem to be the better choice. One is robust and plain, the other is pretty and delicate.

Steel Wheels Pro: Price
Not surprisingly, steel wheels are significantly less expensive than alloy wheels. The price for a new steel wheel starts at about $50 dollars compared to the price for a new alloy wheel which starts at about $75 each.

Steel Wheels Pro: Heavier
Steel wheels are heavier than alloy, so it can lower the car's center of gravity. If the vehicle had alloy wheels prior, it’ll feel more like a tank with the heavier steel wheels. This can be an advantage in the winter when the extra wheel weight helps tires grip the snow tighter. Having a vehicle with less and agility, a low center of gravity and a sense of solid heaviness can be a plus in certain terrain and weather.

Steel Wheels Pro: Stronger
Durability is definitely a selling point when it comes to steel wheels. What steel lacks in attractiveness, it makes up for in strength. Steel wheels are significantly stronger than alloy wheels. To bend steel wheels is a feat, and it is almost impossible to crack them. Cosmetic damage to steel wheels is not nearly as common as it is on aluminum wheels.

Steel Wheels Con: Size
It is uncommon to find steel wheels over 17 inches in size. Usually, steel wheels are less than 16-inches in size which is a limiting factor as to what types of vehicles they work on. Steel wheels aren’t ideal for oversized brake calipers or suspension tweaks which are also subject to wheel size specifics.

Alloy Wheels

Alloy Wheels Pro: Versatility
The true beauty of alloy wheels is their ability to be dolled up. They can be polished, painted, machined or chromed. The entire look and feel of an alloy wheel can be altered by any of these processes. A word of caution though – they are vulnerable to  more surface damage than a steel wheel, such as curb scrapes, saltwater corrosion, and acid cleaners.

Alloy Wheels Pro: Variety
Unlike steel wheels, aluminum can be cast in many different designs, giving a unique look to a vehicle, and offering owners the chance to customize even more. The aluminum (and nickel) alloy is significantly lighter than steel and makes for more agile performance and acceleration.

Alloy Wheels Con: Weaker
Alloys tend to bend under road impacts and can crack under pressure. Depending on the amount of nickel in the aluminum, it can cause the wheel to be more pliable or brittle. Generally, the lighter the wheel the softer and more malleable it is. Casting or pressure forging during construction also affects the alloy's strength.

Overall, if you are seeking an attractive, versatile performance wheel in many shapes, sizes and prices, an aluminum (alloy) wheel set is probably the best choice for you. If you are seeking a basic looking, inexpensive wheel that will withstand road hazards and winter weather over the long-haul, the steel wheel is your best bet.

Do you have steel or alloy wheels and need some service? Contact us here. Find out what we can do for you.

Not ready to take the plunge? Follow us on Instagram to get inspiration and ideas for your next wheel job.