Wheels

Steel wheels suit outback touring because they can be hammered straight and get you home. Here’s what to look for: load rating, size and offset.

Alloy wheels are lighter and resist corrosion; steel wheels are cheaper, tougher and field-repairable. Here’s which suits daily driving vs the outback.

Fix kerb rash on a painted alloy wheel yourself: clean, sand, prime, paint and lacquer it properly — plus why diamond-cut rims need a pro shop.

Can a bent or buckled alloy wheel be safely repaired in Australia? When straightening is OK, when you must replace, and who should sign it off.

Cracked alloy wheel? Why welding a structural crack is risky, the narrow cases a weld is acceptable, and why replacement is the default in Australia.

Why do alloy wheels go white and powdery? How aluminium oxidises under breached lacquer, what causes it in Australia, and how to stop it early.

Clean alloy wheels safely: use a cool wheel, pH-neutral acid-free cleaner, soft brushes, rinse and dry. The dos and don’ts that protect the finish.

Powder coating vs painting wheels in Australia: how each works, which lasts longer, what they cost, and why diamond-cut finishes can’t be powder coated.

Are replica wheels safe? What JWL and VIA marks mean, how they differ from counterfeit wheels, load ratings, and what Australian buyers should check first.