Fitted Rimbands to my Cayenne (Alloy wheel protectors)
Discussion
I have a Cayenne with 21 inch diamond cut wheels. After suffering real problems with getting diamond polished alloys refurbished I decided to look into some options to protect the wheels from kerb rash. I am sure many of you will tell me to learn to park properly but its easier said than done with such massive wheels
The 3 main products I found were
1. Alloygators and
2. Rimbands.
3. Rimblades but I wasn't convinced with sticking the protectors to the alloy wheels and so discounted these.
Alloygators
Looking at the Alloygators, there were 2 things i didn't like- 1, You have to hammer the heck out of them and then super glue a clip over the joint and this together with the shape makes them look a bit too visible. 2 I had heard the odd story about them flying off and causing damage to the bodywork and chattering against the wheels and causing damage to the paint.
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDPdsE2iTF8)
Rimbands
Onto the Rimbands, these are softer and clip into the wheels and blend in nicely. The only negative is that you have to remove the wheel, break the bead and carefully fit them using no soap and inflating the tyre gently. Again there were a couple of stories about them slipping off. The manufactures explained that this was due to soap and also the design had been updated. Also if they did come off then there was no chance of damage as they are softer but dense silicone.
I decided to give the Rimbands a go and had them fitted at Max Garage in Dubai at a cost of around 100 GBP. Fitting was simple enough and I have to say I am very pleased with the results..( www.rimbands.ae)
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=3&v=4wM9Cf08j3...)
The 3 main products I found were
1. Alloygators and
2. Rimbands.
3. Rimblades but I wasn't convinced with sticking the protectors to the alloy wheels and so discounted these.
Alloygators
Looking at the Alloygators, there were 2 things i didn't like- 1, You have to hammer the heck out of them and then super glue a clip over the joint and this together with the shape makes them look a bit too visible. 2 I had heard the odd story about them flying off and causing damage to the bodywork and chattering against the wheels and causing damage to the paint.
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDPdsE2iTF8)
Rimbands
Onto the Rimbands, these are softer and clip into the wheels and blend in nicely. The only negative is that you have to remove the wheel, break the bead and carefully fit them using no soap and inflating the tyre gently. Again there were a couple of stories about them slipping off. The manufactures explained that this was due to soap and also the design had been updated. Also if they did come off then there was no chance of damage as they are softer but dense silicone.
I decided to give the Rimbands a go and had them fitted at Max Garage in Dubai at a cost of around 100 GBP. Fitting was simple enough and I have to say I am very pleased with the results..( www.rimbands.ae)
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=3&v=4wM9Cf08j3...)
Edited by Paracetamol on Sunday 11th October 15:51
Dirt WILL get between the rimband and the wheel.
In a very short time the rim band will grind dirt into the surface of the wheel and will then need to be refurbed .
Rimblades or Rim scuffs , being stuck on are much better but do not expect any protection from kerbs .
These things have a limited use for covering up damaged alloys.
In a very short time the rim band will grind dirt into the surface of the wheel and will then need to be refurbed .
Rimblades or Rim scuffs , being stuck on are much better but do not expect any protection from kerbs .
These things have a limited use for covering up damaged alloys.
johnS2000 said:
Dirt WILL get between the rimband and the wheel.
In a very short time the rim band will grind dirt into the surface of the wheel and will then need to be refurbed .
Rimblades or Rim scuffs , being stuck on are much better but do not expect any protection from kerbs .
These things have a limited use for covering up damaged alloys.
Did you see/experience this first hand? The reason I ask is becuase I had the same concern but didnt find anything on the web. The Rimband sits tightly against the rim and because it is soft it provides a proper seal. A bit like a car door seal. In addition it can be lifted away if needed so that you can clean behind it periodicaly. The other thing that gave me comfort was that Renault supply it as an approved accessorty and apparently one of the big rental companies has tested them and is aparently going to fit these on their fleet (though I havent seen this as yet).In a very short time the rim band will grind dirt into the surface of the wheel and will then need to be refurbed .
Rimblades or Rim scuffs , being stuck on are much better but do not expect any protection from kerbs .
These things have a limited use for covering up damaged alloys.
even if they stay on and don't themselves cause any damage and despite being renault approved (!)
...they still look gash
...they still look gash
Paracetamol said:
I am sure many of you will tell me to learn to park properly but its easier said than done with such massive wheels
sorry but you should learn to park properlyI don't believe that high performance car/wheel/tyre manufactures would recommend fitting something like this between the tyre and the wheel.
It will move under lateral load, you will get grit between the rim and, so called, protector. You'll probably also get some tyre pressure losses, and there's a good chance it will come off, damaging your car as it unravels. Even if it doesn't come off, it will still look naff once damaged.
Unfortunately, modern wheel designs are not great for avoiding scuffed rims, but these are definitely not the answer, IMO.
It will move under lateral load, you will get grit between the rim and, so called, protector. You'll probably also get some tyre pressure losses, and there's a good chance it will come off, damaging your car as it unravels. Even if it doesn't come off, it will still look naff once damaged.
Unfortunately, modern wheel designs are not great for avoiding scuffed rims, but these are definitely not the answer, IMO.
Koln-RS said:
I don't believe that high performance car/wheel/tyre manufactures would recommend fitting something like this between the tyre and the wheel.
It will move under lateral load, you will get grit between the rim and, so called, protector. You'll probably also get some tyre pressure losses, and there's a good chance it will come off, damaging your car as it unravels. Even if it doesn't come off, it will still look naff once damaged.
Unfortunately, modern wheel designs are not great for avoiding scuffed rims, but these are definitely not the answer, IMO.
Hi- they have been on for over 3 months now and I there has been no loss of pressure beyond normal. We are also "blessed" with an 88mph speed limit and 50deg heat and no issues so far. It will definitely look naff once damaged and is sacrificial. Just hope it protects those darned alloys as diamond cut finish is all but impossible to get refurbed here...(ask me how I know It will move under lateral load, you will get grit between the rim and, so called, protector. You'll probably also get some tyre pressure losses, and there's a good chance it will come off, damaging your car as it unravels. Even if it doesn't come off, it will still look naff once damaged.
Unfortunately, modern wheel designs are not great for avoiding scuffed rims, but these are definitely not the answer, IMO.
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