Category: Blog

Maximize Safety and Save Time with This Commercial Vehicle Brake Testing System

As a commercial truck owner or operator, you understand that safety evaluations are vital to guarantee the well-being of your drivers and other roadway personnel. However, traditional commercial vehicle brake testing can be time-consuming, costly, and might not recognize all possible issues. This is where the innovative VIS-Check comes in. The VIS-Check is an automated diagnostic machine that can thoroughly complete a semi-truck brake test just a few minutes, and also perform a comprehensive assessment of steering, and suspension systems.

Vehicle Brake Testing System

One of the most significant benefits of utilizing the VIS-Check system is its precision in identifying safety issues, particularly in semi-truck brake tests. Brakes are a vital safety function of any truck, bus or vehicle, and their failure can cause disastrous accidents. The VIS-Check system evaluates brakes comprehensively to guarantee they meet security standards and are running efficiently.

The system likewise facilitates compliance with nationwide and international requirements, providing you peace of mind that your trucks are legal and safe to run on the roads.

Apart from brake tests, the VIS-Check also clears the way for an extensive inspection of other important vehicle systems, such as steering and suspension, making sure that they are running safely on your routes.

Another advantage of using the VIS-Check system for commercial vehicle brake testing is that it is time and cost-efficient. The system eliminates the need for several examinations, saving you money and time. Additionally, by identifying any issues early on, you can avoid costly breakdowns triggered by problems that go unnoticed during manual assessments.

In conclusion, the VIS-Check is an extensive screening system for commercial vehicle safety testing, steering inspections, and suspension assessments. This cost-effective and time-efficient system expedites compliance with safety requirements, determines prospective security issues, and ensures that your heavy trucks run smoothly.

Contact Us Online Now or Call Us at 1-866-847-8721 to learn more about the VIS-Check!

Aluminum Wheel Restoration Benefits

Aluminum wheels are durable and attractive, but they're naturally susceptible to  corrosion and oxidation. Periodic aluminum wheel restoration is key to bringing back their luster, uncovering hidden damage, and more.

However, restoring aluminum wheels properly requires the right tools. Check out the benefits of automated wheel restoration and why you should an automated wheel polishing system to improve maintenance.

automated wheel polishing system

Why Aluminum Wheel Restoration is Important

Oxidation causes aluminum wheels to turn dull, lose gloss, and eventually become brittle and crack. That's why aluminum wheels require regular maintenance to ensure they look and perform great. See why you should consider automated wheel restoration!

Revives Road-Weary Wheels

Breathe life back into your road-weary wheels! A wheel rim polishing machine like the VIS-Polish is a perfect way to give your truck a new look in less time, and with less labor involved.

Uncovers Hidden Wheel Damage

Easily reveal any hidden wheel damage, such as cracks between the bolt holes. Structural damage can be detrimental to the safety of your wheel rims.

Reduces Wheel Maintenance Costs

Automating your aluminum wheel restoration process lowers the overall cost of your fleet wheel-end maintenance program. Not only does this reduce maintenance costs, but it also extends the life of your wheels.

Enhances Wheel Safety

Wheels play a major role in safety since a damaged wheel can lead to accidents. Restoring aluminum wheels helps to maintain the structural integrity of your vehicle, making it safer to drive. It also allows for easier, more thorough pre-trip safety inspections.

Increases Resale Value

Aluminum wheel restoration makes trucks more attractive, which increases resale value. Shiny rims create a positive, lasting impression on potential buyers. This can help you get more money and sell your trucks faster.

Generates an Impressive ROI

From saving time and money to boosting resale value, our wheel rim polishing machine pays for itself quickly. The VIS-Polish not only streamlines wheels and rims maintenance, but it can even create an additional revenue stream.

Builds Fleet Pride and Reputation

How your wheels look affects perceptions of your brand. Clean, well-maintained rims show a high level of care that both instills customer trust in your company and increases fleet pride among your drivers. 

aluminum wheel restoration

Use a Wheel Polishing System for Optimal Results

Manually sanding and polishing wheels is time-consuming and doesn't always yield the best results. Technicians are also more likely to miss hidden damage. Fortunately, there's an easier, faster, and more effective method to restore aluminum wheels to a like-new shine.

The VIS-Polish wheel rim polishing system is used by thousands of facilities to clean and maintain aluminum wheels. Here are some reasons why:

  • Polishes 30-60 minutes/wheel
  • Works with 19.5″, 22.5″, 24.5″ super singles and wide base steers
  • Sands the whole wheel face or just sections
  • Allows tire on/tire off
  • Offers a special bead cleaning cycle
  • Enclosed system to protect technicians
  • Small footprint: 76″ x 66″ x 86″

Upgrade your facility’s aluminum wheel maintenance with a polishing machine that delivers accuracy, speed, and versatility. This, in turn, results in numerous benefits like a more even, longer-lasting finish and reduced costs.

Contact us now to learn more about the VIS-Polish and how it can give your fleet, facility, or shop a competitive edge!

How to Have a Fleet of Great Looking Trucks

polished aluminum wheels

A truck that’s maintained well and looks good on the outside is a boon for any company. Having a fleet of great-looking trucks with polished aluminum wheels can actually help you get more business than having a fleet that looks dull and worn out.

This is mainly because trucks draw more attention than you think. When people see a well-maintained fleet, they get the impression that the company cares for its assets. It speaks volumes of the professional attitude of the organization, telling your current and potential customers that if you can take good care of your trucks, you’ll take care of their goods as well.

Tips for Having a Great-Looking Truck Fleet

You don’t need traditional advertising, use your own fleet to say what your company stands for! Customers will be convinced to bring their business to you when they see that you take care of your fleet. While they may seem insignificant, the rims of your fleet have a lot to contribute to how your whole fleet looks.

Keep Your Rims Shiny and New

Technology has evolved so much in the past few decades. There are machines for every aspect of our lives, and they are designed to do a much better job than human beings. Machines today can find out flaws and minute problems with much higher accuracy and efficiency than human workers.

The VIS-Polish is a device that facilities use for aluminum wheel polishing and maintenance. It’s a fully automated system that polishes the wheels of trucks and restores them with a bright luster finish with great shine and smoothness.

Perform Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance ensures that your truck runs smoothly and safely, as well as looks great. By performing regular inspections, your technicians can find problems before they become serious issues.

With an automated system like the VIS-Polish, you’ll be able to reveal any cracks or flaws that cannot easily be seen by the naked eye. The system also provides a more even finish than manual polishing by removing human error from the process.

Use the Right Tools

Tools are essential for maintaining and repairing your fleet of vehicles to look and perform their best. Whether you’re performing brake maintenance or shining up wheels, having the proper tools can save you money and headaches.

Get Sparkling Wheel Rims in Less Time

Designed and manufactured in the United States, the VIS-Polish is built to work on your rims with speed and accuracy, transforming dull, lifeless rims into ones that stand out. The machine takes roughly 30 minutes per wheel, unlike manual methods that can take twice as long or more.

Depending on how worn out the wheel is, you can program the device to sand it completely or just in parts in an efficient and timely manner. Investing in the VIS-Polish system is one of the best things you can do for your fleet. It not only gives your wheels an intense and unbeatable shine, but you’ll also see impressive returns on your investment.

Enhance Your Fleet with Automated Wheel Refinishing

There is a variety of maintenance, cost, and performance advantages to using an automated wheel refinishing system like the VIS-Polish. It also offers intangible benefits like improving fleet reputation and attracting drivers, which grows your business in the long run.

That’s why our thoughtfully-designed products are trusted by vehicle service and maintenance shops throughout the United States and Canada.

Contact us today to restore your tired rims back to life with the VIS-Polish Automated Aluminum Wheel Polishing system.

Why would you rather have representing your business?

How to Maintain Your Brakes and Avoid Accidents

Reasons for Brake Maintenance

Brake maintenance are essential for road safety. Trucks and other heavy-duty commercial vehicles are often on the road for days or even months continuously, enduring the harsh elements, transporting cargo to their destination. The back-to-back driving and heavy cargo coupled with adverse weather conditions have an effect on not only the exterior parts of the heavy-duty vehicle, but also on some integral internal systems including the braking components.

Poorly maintained brakes can decrease the braking ability and increase the stopping distance of big trucks and motor coaches, posing a safety risk to both the public and the driver. The proper performance of the brake unit during those split-seconds is vital and can mean the difference between life and death.

Prevent Accidents

Trucks that aren’t properly maintained are more susceptible to getting involved in an accident compared to those that are maintained and kept in proper operational condition. When your heavy-duty commercial vehicles is involved in an accident, it can end up costing your business and even get you entangled in a slew of legal complications. To avoid this sort of situation, and to ensure that your operations proceed seamlessly without running into the law, make sure that your truck’s brake system is serviced regularly.

Fleet owners should consider the acquisition of a commercial brake tester such as the VIS-Check. This automated system evaluates the stopping capacity of the truck following specs given out by the DOT and CVSA, which maintain security and increase safety.

It’s vital to have routine brake maintenance conducted to stay safe while on the road, especially if you operate a heavy-duty rig or manage a fleet. When you know the brake maintenance process, the different components of the brake systems and what needs to be done, you’ll know when the brakes need servicing. If you run a maintenance shop, you should be aware that specialized brake maintenance systems are available. These systems are designed to service trailers, trucks, buses, and other large vehicles. The BrakeMate™, for instance, eliminates dangerous manual lifting, while the VIS-Check offers an accurate diagnostic of your vehicle’s breaking performance. You’ll be able to save cash and decrease service time.

Drivers are warned against skimping when it comes to maintenance and inspections, particularly when doing post- and pre-trip inspections. Without a list that guides drivers through the inspection steps properly, overlooking some or all of them is easy –especially checking the brakes. Sadly, other drivers usually skip doing the inspections altogether to be on the road quicker. This is cause for concern because the driver can get involved in a crash which they cause and could have been avoided if proper brake inspection had been done.

You should always remember why brake inspections and maintenance are important and why you shouldn’t cut corners. Poorly maintained brakes that violate traffic regulations will put the truck out of order, resulting in needless downtime. But of course, safety should be the main reason for keeping your brakes in optimal condition.

Brake Safety Week

Every August, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) holds a Brake Safety Week. In 2022, the event runs from 8/21 through 8/27. This is a yearly commercial vehicle brake-safety assessment, enforcement and educative program done by law enforcement jurisdictions in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. During this week, inspectors perform their North American Standard Level I and V Inspections. The brake-related information is recorded and forwarded to the CVSA. The findings are usually made public during the fall.

Brake-related issues make up the biggest percentage of all out-of-order vehicle infringements recorded during roadside assessments, and following the 3-day International Roadcheck data conducted last year, defective brake systems and adjustments accounted for 38.9% of all out-of-order vehicle violations. In order to deal with the increasing accident levels due to brakes on our roads, the CVSA aims to:

  • Find brake violations and take out the commercial vehicles found with brake-related violations from the road.
  • Perform inspections and recognize commercial vehicles don’t have any brake inspection violations. Vehicles that meet standards set by CVSA are affixed with a decal.
  • Compel proactive heavy-duty vehicle maintenance before the Brake Safety Week to avoid the vehicle from being considered unroadworthy.
  • Feature the hard work and devotion to safety by heavy-duty motor carriers, drivers and inspectors.
  • Jog the memory of carriers and drivers about the importance of brake maintenance and vehicle post-trip and pre-trip inspections.
  • Educate maintenance service providers and drivers regarding brake system safety.

Be sure to check out our BrakeMate™ Brake Maintenance System. This brake maintenance device is designed to service heavy vehicle brake assemblies and reduce manual lifting. You can minimize service time and save money with the patent-pending BrakeMate™.

Brake Maintenance for Road Safety

Brake Maintenance

Benefits of a Suspension and Steering Diagnostic System For Your Fleet

Undercarriage inspections are crucial for heavy-duty truck and bus fleets to maintain safety, comfort, and driving performance. However, relying on a manual process is time-consuming and hidden damage is more likely to be missed. A suspension and steering diagnostic system is a must-have tool for undercarriage inspections as it allows fleets to safely recreate operating conditions and find undetectable issues in less time.

The VIS-Check: Road Simulator

Discover the key benefits of suspension and steering diagnostic systems to upgrade your fleet’s undercarriage inspections!

What Does a Suspension and Steering Diagnostic System Do?

A suspension diagnostic system combined with a steering diagnostic system, like the VIS-Check: Road Simulator, tests undercarriage components of vehicles under harsh operating conditions and finds otherwise undetectable issues. It comprises shaker plates, a hydraulic jack, and an automated process to recreate road conditions.

The system has a small footprint and is adaptable to any shop or facility. It’s able to inspect a variety of undercarriage components:

  • Worn Tie Rod Ends and King Pins
  • Spring Pins, Shackles, and Hangers
  • Worn Bushings
  • Shock Absorbers
  • Loose U Bolts
  • Air Bag Integrity
  • Drive Train Problems
  • Loose Wheel Bearings
  • Worn Yokes/Center Bearings
  • Loose Exhaust Mounts

If any part of the undercarriage is damaged, then the vehicle will be less safe. Plus, undetected issues can turn into expensive problems. With the VIS-Check: Road Simulator, you can safely recreate road conditions and easily pinpoint issues to maintain and extend vehicle performance.

The VIS-Check: Road Simulator

Advantages of Diagnostic Systems for Fleets

The best way to ensure an accurate and timely undercarriage inspection is to use a suspension diagnostic system, and when checking the maneuverability, safety and handling of a bus or truck there is no match to using a reliable steering diagnostic system. With The VIS-Check: Road Simulator you get both to bring you numerous advantages, such as efficiency and lower costs — see how your fleet will benefit from a diagnostic system!

Automates undercarriage inspections

Make your business more efficient with automation. A suspension diagnostic system creates a repeatable inspection process, which increases productivity and improves results consistency.

Detects hidden issues

Uncovering broken, worn, or damaged undercarriage components are critical for safety and lower your vehicle operational costs. Keep your vehicles in optimal condition by making it easier to find hidden issues.

Shortens service times

Time is money, and a lengthy inspection process cuts into your bottom line. Manual inspections require lots of experience and extended training. Invest in a suspension and steering diagnostic system to shorten service times and improve efficiency.

Improves safety

A steering diagnostic system is vital for ensuring vehicle safety as it allows technicians to examine its performance under harsh road conditions. It also identifies ride issues and reduces driver fatigue, leading to safer rides.

Saves on labor and vehicle costs

The VIS-Check: Road Simulator only requires one technician, reducing labor costs while boosting productivity. In addition, a diagnostic system lowers vehicle operating costs since you can detect and repair issues, thereby extending tire life and fuel economy.

Minimizes breakdowns

When a vehicle has a roadside breakdown, driver safety is put at risk and productivity comes to a screeching halt. Keep your fleet and business humming along with a suspension and steering diagnostic system that bolsters vehicle operation and maintenance.

Level-Up Your Fleet’s Operations

A suspension and steering diagnostic system is vital for heavy-duty fleets for many reasons, from improving vehicle performance to lowering operating costs. Easily check for hidden issues and test undercarriage components with an automated process, ensuring your technicians don’t miss anything that could potentially endanger safety or disrupt your operations.

Ready to Optimize Your Fleet? Contact Us Today for Pricing and Features of the VIS-Check: Road Simulator diagnostic system!

5 Ways a PBBT / Roller Brake Tester Can Improve Your Inspection Process

One of the best ways to enhance vehicle safety and fleet operations is by using a performance-based brake tester (PBBT), aka ‘roller brake tester,’ as it makes your inspection process easier while reducing service time and costs. See why a PBBT / roller brake tester, like the VIS-Check, is an essential undercarriage tool for improving inspections so your technicians can test and perform maintenance with confidence.

Roller Brake tester

Benefits of a PBBT / Roller Brake Tester for Undercarriage Inspection

A PBBT/roller brake tester allows you to accurately check the braking force and inspect brake system components of a wide range of vehicles in less time. While there are many advantages to using the VIS-Check, here are the top five ways that a PBBT / roller brake tester can improve your inspection process.

1. Requires less space than traditional testing methods.

The VIS-Check requires minimal space for testing so you don’t have to worry about making room to store a bulky machine or making space for a testing yard. In addition to its smaller footprint, we offer various models including in-ground, over-pit, or portable trailer units to fit into any facility.

Vis-Check
PBBT/Roller Brake Tester

2. Testing can be done in 10-15 minutes.

A PBBT/roller brake tester reduces service time by automating brake system inspection so testing takes less than 15 minutes. Quicker testing allows your technicians to perform other work, thereby increasing productivity.

3. Provides a consistent, repeatable test process to ensure accuracy.

A diagnostic machine provides a consistent, repeatable test process that produces much greater accuracy than traditional testing methods. It’s also able to find otherwise undetectable repairs, resulting in better vehicle safety.

Roller Brake Tester

4. Can be done with only one technician to save labor.

The VIS-Check can be operated with only one technician, allowing technicians to detect and inspect undercarriage issues with precision and in less time, thereby decreasing labor while increasing production. Additionally, vehicles remain stationary while testing with no rapid deceleration testing to eliminate the risk of injury to testing personnel.

5. Tests a wide range of vehicles, allowing you to inspect the entire fleet with just one machine.

Our PBBT / roller brake tester is incredibly versatile since it can test many types of vehicles like heavy-duty or medium duty trucks, transit buses, school buses, work trucks, motor homes, emergency services vehicles, and more. Streamline your fleet operation by having the Swiss Army knife of undercarriage diagnostics and maintenance.

Roller Brake Tester

Enhance Vehicle Safety and Fleet Operations

Manual inspection of the brake systems and components is laborious, time-consuming, and leaves room for errors. That’s why switching to an accurate and faster performance-based brake tester that takes up minimal space is crucial for improving inspections. If you’re looking for one of the best around, then look no further than the VIS-Check. It finds undercarriage and brake system issues in minutes, not hours, so you can save labor and increase productivity.

Why You Should Be Refinishing Aluminum Wheels with the VIS-Polish

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From curb checking to road debris, there are many ways that aluminum wheels can get damaged which is why refinishing aluminum wheels with the VIS-Polish Automated Aluminum Wheel Polishing system is one of the best ways to bring back their luster. Not only is the automated machine beneficial for improving how aluminum wheels look, but it also makes maintenance easier and enhances the safety of your wheel rims. Discover the benefits that the VIS-Polish offers for truck dealers, fleets, commercial tire shops, used truck sellers, and detail shops.

6 Benefits of VIS-Polish for Refinishing Aluminum Wheels

The VIS-Polish is used in facilities across the United States and Canada to polish and refinish aluminum wheels due to its accuracy, speed, and versatility. Here are some key advantages of using an automated machine to see how it’ll improve the operation of your fleet or shop.

1. Can uncover hidden wheel damage.

Refinishing aluminum wheels improves wheel safety by removing layers of dirt and debris to reveal hidden wheel damage like cracks, oxidation, warping, and more. While just soap and water can remove superficial layers of dirt and debris, this method does not provide any other benefits to overall wheel health. Adopting a more thorough wheel maintenance program can improve overall fleet safety. Easily remove heavy oxidization and identify issues quicker by running the wheels through the VIS-Polish machine.

2. Reduces the cost of wheel maintenance by extending the life of your rims.

Using an automated wheel finishing machine reduces the cost of wheel maintenance by making the process more accurate and less time-consuming. It takes about 30 minutes per wheel! Things like rust, pitting, and dissimilar metal corrosion can affect the reliability of the rim. With proper maintenance, you can improve the integrity of your rim surface as well as the entire tire and wheel assembly to extends the life of your rims and saves you money. By routinely sanding and polishing your wheels, you can help remove these elements before the wheel is compromised.

3. Makes pre-trip inspections easier and more thorough.

Pre-trip inspections are important for safety but they can take a long time and leave room for hidden issues to go unnoticed. A clean wheel surface is key to proper visual inspection of your wheel rims. With the VIS-Polish, your pre-trip inspections will become an easier and more thorough process.

4. Creates optimum wheel surface to maintain proper torque.

A maintained wheel surface also ensures that proper clamping force of the lug nuts is retained after servicing. If there are lingering materials like dirt, paint, or rust left between the lug nuts and wheel surface during service, wheels can lose torque and become loose more quickly. The debris can compress or wash away leaving gaps between the lug nuts and the wheel surface, reducing the clamping force and increasing the chance of losing lug nuts or wheels. Refinishing aluminum wheels creates an optimum wheel surface, thereby allowing the vehicle to maintain proper torque.

5. Improves fleet image and reputation.

The VIS-Polish can help enhance your fleet’s image and reputation by improving the look and performance of your vehicles’ wheels. Additionally, it shows that your fleet cares about maintaining high-quality standards. Attractive, well-maintained vehicles are perceived to be safer by law enforcement and your customers will feel more at ease giving you their business when they see well maintained vehicles.

6. Attracts and retains drivers.

The machines and tools at your facility matter when it comes to attracting and retaining drivers. Equip your drivers with one of the most trusted automated wheel polishing systems on the market to make it easier for them to properly maintain heavy-duty vehicles, trucks, or buses. When drivers climb into a shining and sparkling vehicle at the start of their day, they feel a sense of pride in their vehicle and their company. Giving drivers a vehicle that they are proud of can lead to better driver retention rates and can also improve employee performance.

Enhance Your Facility with Automated Wheel Refinishing

There is a variety of maintenance, cost, and performance advantages of refinishing aluminum wheels with the VIS-Polish. It also offers intangible benefits like improving fleet reputation and attracting drivers which grows your business in the long-run. Like all of our products, the VIS-Polish is built to last which is why it’s used by vehicle service and maintenance shops throughout the United States and Canada.

Maintenance Tips for Truck Wheels

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Properly maintaining and cleaning truck wheels is one of the most important things a trucker or fleet manager can do to prevent hazardous flats and blowouts, improve fuel economy, and increase the lifespan of the wheels and other truck systems. Check out these eight maintenance tips for truck wheels to keep your operations rolling smoothly.

1. Clean the Truck Wheels and Tires Routinely

Clean and shiny truck wheels aren’t just for looks – they also improve the truck’s safety and performance. Thoroughly rinse and wash the wheels and tires to remove dirt, grease, grime, and brake dust. While you’re cleaning, also check the condition of the truck wheels to see if they’re in good shape.

2. Remove Oxidization and Restore Truck Wheel Shine

Oxidization on truck wheels should be removed to restore shine and improve wheel safety. A method for removing heavy oxidization and restoring the shine on truck wheels is to run them through an automated wheel polishing machine like the VIS-Polish.

3. Use a Machine to Polish and Buff Truck Wheels Between Regular Services

A polishing machine is more effective and efficient at polishing and buffing truck wheels than doing it by hand. Polishing and buffing wheels between full wheel services will ensure your wheels maintain their shine. For example, the VIS-Polish is a portable on-wheel polishing machine that polishes and buffs a wheel in just 10-15 minutes so.

4. Pay Attention to the Bead Area

Cleaning and maintaining the bead area of your wheels will ensure a good seal on your tires and minimize air leaks. Damage to the bead area can cause premature tire wear or failures, so inspecting and servicing this area routinely will help extend the life of your wheels. The VIS-Polish offers a bead cycle feature that can service this area during your routine aluminum wheel maintenance service.

5. Take Care of Your Tools

Not only should you maintain your truck wheels, but also the tools you use to clean, polish, and buff them. Regularly inspect your tools and order replacement parts and supplies when necessary to keep your tools in working order.

6. Inspect Truck Wheels Before Trips

Before every trip, inspect the truck wheels and other systems to ensure that they’re ready for the road. A pre-trip routine will help you detect and address issues before heading out on the road. An effective inspection should include: checking the tire pressure, examining tread wear, and inspecting rims for cracks and damage.

The Right Equipment to Maintain Truck Wheels

The equipment you use to clean and maintain truck wheels should always be reliable and effective. VIS has been in the transportation industry for over 20 years and offers a wide range of cleaning and safety products for heavy-duty trucks such as the VIS-Polish, VIS-Check, BrakeMate™ Brake Maintenance System, and more to ensure truck wheels look and perform at their best.

Choosing the Right Wheel Polishing Company

Heavy-duty trucks and buses require regular wheel polishing to ensure wheel-end safety and a professional appearance, which is why choosing the right wheel polishing company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your trucks’ wheels. Furthermore, partnering with a reputable company that manufactures quality wheel polishing equipment or provides comprehensive wheel maintenance services can improve your wheel polishing efficiency and lower operating costs. Here are five considerations to keep in mind when choosing a wheel polishing company for your fleet, service shop, or transit facility.

VIS - The right wheel polishing commpany to choose

1. Experience

An essential factor when choosing a wheel polishing company is how much experience it has.  If the company has been in operation for less than a year, then it will still be working out the kinks with manufacturing, operations, etc. Additionally, a younger company may not know how to handle any wheel polishing issues that may arise which is why you should select an experienced company as it’s more likely to have “seen it all.” 

2. Rigorous Standards

The wheel polishing company or system you select should have rigorous standards in place for its products, training, safety protocols, and customer service. If purchasing wheel polishing equipment, the manufacturer should emphasize adherence to quality and safety standards to ensure your system will perform correctly and efficiently. If looking for a wheel polishing services provider, look for a company that has a culture of providing exceptional services and value as well as one that owns quality wheel polishing equipment.

3. Industry Associations

Similar to the previous point, look for a wheel polishing company that is a member of an industry association. Being in an industry association shows that the company is staying on top of important, ever-changing issues, trends, and legislation that are impacting the industry. For example, VIS is an active member of associations such as – the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), and ATA Tech and Maintenance Council – because we’re committed to safety, advocacy, and education for the transportation industry.

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) TMC Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)

4. Reputation

Whichever wheel polishing company you choose, make sure it has a great reputation. You can find reputable wheel polishing companies by getting referrals from other shop or facility owners, searching online for reviews and testimonials, checking the Better Business Bureau, and researching what wheel maintenance equipment they use. While knowledge and experience are important, they won’t count for much if the company doesn’t have a reputation for manufacturing quality products, providing exceptional services, or satisfying customers. After all, if the company’s products and services are unreliable, then your vehicles’ and drivers’ safety are put at risk. 

5. More Than Polishing

When it comes to providing a polishing service, a company should be offering more than just polishing. Your wheel polishing company should be inspecting for fine cracks, elongated bolt holes, metal corrosion, bent rim edges, and OOS violations.  Any valuable wheel polish service should include proper and thorough inspections to ensure wheels don’t just look great but are safe on the road. 

Wheel Polishing Equipment You Can Trust

Before you choose a company, keep these five considerations in mind to make the process easier and protect your truck and bus wheels from subpar products and services. Your vehicles’ safety and wheels are too important to leave to chance. At VIS, we’ve been in the transportation industry for over 20 years and manufacture automated polishing equipment like the VIS-Polish and VIS-Shine to make aluminum wheels shine like new and perform optimally.

VIS is Wheel Polishing Equipment You Can Trust

 

Top 5 Tips to Maintain Aluminum Truck Wheels

Polished aluminum truck wheels not only look great, but they’re also an essential component of a wheel maintenance routine. Aluminum wheels will dull over time due to road dirt and other contaminants which means they need to be polished frequently to keep them shiny. These five tips on how to clean and polish aluminum truck wheels will make your wheels glisten brightly and better protect them from corrosion and brake dust buildup.

1. Prep or wash the wheels.

How to clean aluminum truck wheels. Cleaning aluminum truck wheels prior to polishing will remove superficial dirt to check the condition of the wheels. Using an aluminum wheel cleaner, rinsing with a hose, or pressure washing loosens dirt, grease, grime, and brake dust on the wheels. However, avoid using strong detergents as well as alkaline or acidic cleaners since they can damage the aluminum’s surface and leave dull areas. Make sure the wheel is at ambient temperature before applying cleaning chemicals.

Try cleaning inside the hand holes and around the stud holes for even better results. Use a soft-bristle brush (not a wire brush) while applying water to scrub the surface, hand holes, and stud holes. Then rinse the wheels off before moving to a sanding or polishing process. A thorough pre and/or pre-wash is crucial for successfully polishing aluminum truck wheels.

2. Remove oxidization.

If you discover oxidation, which happens when bare aluminum wheels are exposed to oxygen and water, then it will need to be removed from the truck wheels before polishing. One way to remove heavy oxidization is to run the aluminum truck wheels through the VIS-Polish, an automated wheel polishing machine The VIS-Polish system’s automated sanding cycles remove heavy oxidization quickly and easily to restore the wheel’s shine.

3. Use a machine to polish and buff.

How to polish aluminum truck wheels.  Reduce time and labor spent polishing and buffing aluminum truck wheels by using a machine to do most of the hard work. Machine polished wheels can be done in a fraction of the time it takes to do it by hand. Also, polishing by hand presents many health hazards due to exposure to aluminum dust, continuous vibration, and exposure to moving parts. A machine can reduce or even eliminate these health hazards.

4. Dry the wheels.

Water spots are a quick way to ruin the shine on perfectly polished aluminum wheels. The process of cleaning aluminum wheels should always include a step where you gently dry them and wipe away any brake dust. Avoid cross-contamination by using a separate microfiber towel that is designated only for drying and wash it separately from other towels.

5. Maintain and inspect aluminum wheels between service times.

Once wheels have been sanded and polished, keeping them clean and shiny will allow for easier checks on the wheel condition. A portable on-wheel polishing machine like the VIS-Shine is a maintenance and upkeep tool that helps keep the shine of your polished wheels between maintenance service times. It is able to clean, polish, and buff a wheel in 10-15 minutes which is much less time than doing it by hand and allows for quicker, more thorough inspections. 

For All Your Wheel Polishing Needs

VIS offers equipment for polishing and cleaning aluminum wheels for trucks with the purpose of extending their life and safety. We manufacture and distribute a wide range of products for the trucking and transportation industry such as the VIS-Polish: Automated Aluminum Wheel Polishing, VIS-Check: Undercarriage Diagnostic System, Squirrel: Wheel Safety Device, VIS-Shine: On-Truck Wheel Polishing, and BrakeMate™ brake maintenance system. 

Aluminum Truck Wheels

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