Halting Alloy Wheel Lacquer Delamination

[Stuart_J]

And another one !!

9 months / 22000 miles

Off to the dealer I guess

[Jeeves]

So I took my wheel to the dealer who photographed it and eventually informed me it could be swapped under warranty. I went to collect the new wheel and they've damaged it both at the rim (already delaminated) and at the centre where they've compressed the raised edges of the mounting holes. Needless to say I rejected it but did suggest I might buy it as a spare since its larger than the steel spare. It wouldn't refurb and they've said they want £50 for it. They have ordered me a new wheel which I will take elsewhere for the tyre to be fitted. Any thoughts anyone?

[andyjl1968]

Has anyone found a good refurb place for these types of wheels ? Have done a bit of internet searching but would prefer a recommended. Failing that it may be a choice between aftermarket alloys or complete respray of the current ones. Hmmmm what colour goes well with anthracite paint ?

[Vectensian]

Very unfortunate that Skoda now have this problem. Lexus, having a reputation as making very reliable cars indeed, have been plagued with this problem for some years and it's still going on judging by a current model Lexus I saw parked up yesterday.

This is all down to the firm who are making the wheels in the first place. Few components are made by vehicle manufacturers nowadays. The wheel corrosion situation actually a total disgrace and completely unacceptable. If Skoda want to keep their reputation, the situation must be accepted by Skoda and dealt with.

At least Lexus who value their reputation seem to have replaced probably thousands of wheels in various world market countries without question in the main. It would be interesting to know if Skoda are sourcing their wheels from the same manufacturer as Lexus? - and I pose that as a serious question. Perhaps you know the answer.

[kandrews]

This unfortunately is a side affect of a diamond cut alloy finish. Basically the lacquer has nothing to bind to resulting in the finish you are all seeing. I have had this a numorous cars but i have found a way to cure it happening You will need to get the rim refurbished but rather than spraying in a normal 2K lacquer you need to refinish with this instead - http://gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-yachts/exterior-coatings/s1-smart-metal-coating/ this is amazing stuff which etches itself on to the wheel surface preventing the peel. Lepsoms are now using this clearcoat and having great success with it. I would recommend GTechniq C5 though to anyone who has had their wheels replaced as this too is an amazing product and highly praised by those in the detailing world!

I hope this helps

Edit - I must add this coating was borne from the marine industry where as you can imagine it has to stand up to a massive amount of salt damage.

[Grizzle]

Are you a Gtechniq seller or what? lol

[TsvRS]

Very unfortunate that Skoda now have this problem. Lexus, having a reputation as making very reliable cars indeed, have been plagued with this problem for some years and it's still going on judging by a current model Lexus I saw parked up yesterday.

This is all down to the firm who are making the wheels in the first place. Few components are made by vehicle manufacturers nowadays. The wheel corrosion situation actually a total disgrace and completely unacceptable. If Skoda want to keep their reputation, the situation must be accepted by Skoda and dealt with.

At least Lexus who value their reputation seem to have replaced probably thousands of wheels in various world market countries without question in the main. It would be interesting to know if Skoda are sourcing their wheels from the same manufacturer as Lexus? - and I pose that as a serious question. Perhaps you know the answer.

My Skoda wheels are made in Hungary by Suoftec. They are a small subsidiary of larger concerns, the derivation is SU(perior) O(tto) F(uchs) TEC(hnology). They state that "Nearly all recognized car manufacturers are using wheels from OTTO FUCHS Hungary".

[kandrews]

Are you a Gtechniq seller or what? lol

Hehe, does sound like it doesn't it?! But no I'm not, in the last 13 years of being in the smart repair trade and racing quite heavily I've found these products to be amazing. I like the fact they do not lie about what they do either...... Now Mr GTechniq about that commission lol

[Stuart_J]

27000 miles & 11 months, 2 more gone, thats 3 out of 4 so far

[vr6 south]

If you ever want good wheel refurbs. I had my VX220 wheels done by a company in Hertfordshire called BVJ engineering (type wheel refurbishing into Google).

They were recommended by the VX forum & did a fantastic job..all 4 17 inch wheels for under �150!

Going to get the Golf wheels done there soon as the VRS arrives...

I have used BJV to do about six sets of wheels. They are very good for the price and they also diamond cut and laquer too.

[silver1011]

27000 miles & 11 months, 2 more gone, thats 3 out of 4 so far

Let us know how you get on with the warranty claim.

I'm soon to take mine in, I've got two that have gone, unfortunately I think these are the same two that were replaced under warranty last time.

So much for Skoda improving durability, seems they prefer to take a risk and replace a few under warranty rather than investing in a longer term fix

[Stuart_J]

Let us know how you get on with the warranty claim.

I'm soon to take mine in, I've got two that have gone, unfortunately I think these are the same two that were replaced under warranty last time.

So much for Skoda improving durability, seems they prefer to take a risk and replace a few under warranty rather than investing in a longer term fix

I had the worst one replaced this week & the dealer has ordered the other 2, the last one is showing signs of going but to be fair to Skoda I need to see if it developes before claiming for that one.

Im intrigued to know if Skoda replace with new wheels or refurbed ones. With the number that are going It would make sense for them to get the wheels refurbed, its just a shame they cant etch prime them or something to make the finish stay on. Im also bemused as to why all mine went at the edge by the tyre, is it a flexing tyre that rubs the edge off the lacquer, it just seems odd to me. I would expect them to go on the spoke which is more likely to get hit by stones & other debris. Even if that were the case the wheels are still not fit for purpose, a wheel gets hit by debris & has to be designed to cater for it, likewise they should be strong enough to withstand tyres being changed, another potential cause of damage although 2 of mine that went are still on the original tyres so that didnt cause mine. Its odd with so many claims that Skoda dont look at doing something better, its a 4x4, designed to go semi off road & yet the finish on the wheels cant even stand up to day to day driving

[andyjl1968]

Let us know how you get on with the warranty claim.

I'm soon to take mine in, I've got two that have gone, unfortunately I think these are the same two that were replaced under warranty last time.

So much for Skoda improving durability, seems they prefer to take a risk and replace a few under warranty rather than investing in a longer term fix

I suppose they look at if they change one set under warranty it's not a bad thing as by the time they delam again the car will be out of warranty hence no problem on their part. I had three done and the one that wasn't done has just started with the problem a few months out of the warranty period. Have enquired but got the party line of it's not covered anymore basically.

[silver1011]

I'm sure you are right.

It would just make more sense to me to improve durability and introduce them as a running change, especially as these wheels are still standard fit on the Scout.

Mine too go around the rim but also from stone chips, grrr!

[Stuart_J]

I'm sure you are right.

It would just make more sense to me to improve durability and introduce them as a running change, especially as these wheels are still standard fit on the Scout.

Mine too go around the rim but also from stone chips, grrr!

A cars wheel should be designed to cater for stone chips, its what happens to wheels, I agree the chip cant be covered but the finish should be of a type that dosent delaminate in the way it does from the slightest bit of damage, if everytime you had a stone chip on say the bonnet the paint started peeling off within weeks the customer would not accept it & the company would have to fix it. Wheels which are more likely to get chipped due to the enviroment they have to perform in have to be to a higher standard, not less. I think if that is happening you have a good case

[SB1962]

I've recently bought a 2007 Scout & the front alloys were in a bad way & the dealer changed them. In only a month they have picked up the odd scratch & scuff & seem a bit precious compared to all the alloys I've had in the past. I have some de-lamination on the rears coming in.

Has anyone had done or is it possible to have the wheels redone in a normal, more durable silver finish? I'm not fussed by the polished finished anyway & would much rather have a durable albeit plainer finish.

If possible to be redone in plain silver - any recommendations of a company in the NE of England?

[Niall]

I've recently bought a 2007 Scout & the front alloys were in a bad way & the dealer changed them. In only a month they have picked up the odd scratch & scuff & seem a bit precious compared to all the alloys I've had in the past. I have some de-lamination on the rears coming in.

Has anyone had done or is it possible to have the wheels redone in a normal, more durable silver finish? I'm not fussed by the polished finished anyway & would much rather have a durable albeit plainer finish.

If possible to be redone in plain silver - any recommendations of a company in the NE of England?

I've been chatting to the local dealer about this (they store the winter and summer wheels as appropriate). They've already done a set for someone else (outsourced to a local independent), dipped (without shot blasting) and then powder coated in a silver finish and re-lacquered. Seems to be holding up much, much better by all accounts. Seriously tempted to get the same done to mine next winter whilst running on the steels. From anything other than close up (or a Scout geek... ) I'd be confident that no one would notice, or even realise you'd changed them in any way.

I would guess the look wouldn't be too disimilar from the 16" alloys off've the Mk1 Octavia Elegance which also had fat spokes.

Niall

[silver1011]

There is just something about the polished spokes that look the business.

Granted 90% of the time they are covered in dirt but when they are clean they look fab, especially on my black Scout.

I think I'm just going to have to accept that non-polished powder coated alloys are better than polished but scabby delaminated alloys :'(

[SB1962]

Thanks, that's encouraging to hear - I'll get some quotes. I'm sure it will be a few hundred ££'s so it won't be something I'll be getting done for a few months yet. I haven't seen an early Scout without rough looking alloys since I got mine so it's got to be done!

[SB1962]

http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

£312 for same day service, refurb of whole wheel (tyre off) in standard silver finish.

[silver1011]

Here's another wheel that's gone...

You can see the stone chip about a centimeter from the edge of the spoke...

Another spoke just starting...

A heavy chip which I'm confident will begin delaminating very soon...

[atnova]

Hey guys,

I've just bought a fabia vrs 07 yesterday and picked it up today, but i found that all 4 wheels are quite badly bubbled (corroding) say i have the 12 months warranty, would the dealer cover me for some new wheels?

Thanks in advance

[giandougl]

Just had the car washed and noticed that near the edge of the drivers side front alloy the lacquer has delaminated (currently the size of a �1 coin or thereabouts).

When the cars in for service next I'll see if anything can be done under warranty, otherwise any tips for stopping the rot spreading? With our first wee one imminently on it's way within the month I'm not in the mood for refurbing the wheel just yet when the money could be better spent.

I've also heard that due to the polished finish the Scout alloys are more of a pain to sort, though have no idea whether this actually true or not, just something I heard once from a Chipsaway guy......

Niall

More than likely wheels will have to be refurbished in the future, as once lacquer has been penetrated water/salt from road damage, will creep along underneath.

Bubbling/ corrosion started on my Fabia VRS wheels after about two years, at 6 six years just had all 5 alloys refurbished, now better than originals.

[Normcall]

Mine went in for it's second annual service last week. I mentioned that the Skoda emblems were starting to flake round the edges and 3 of the wheels had signs of 'snail' damage. Photos were taken and I suppose sent off.

They replaced the emblems front and back, but the wheels, no way. I suppose I'll have to get onto Skoda to find out why! Mind you, the garage is a branch of the main dealer and is really a Alfa/Peugeot dealer.

[Jeeves]

http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

£312 for same day service, refurb of whole wheel (tyre off) in standard silver finish.

Was that from the Newcastle franchise Ross? I quite like their smoked silver colour, but as mine will only be for winter use, I will probably end up getting them done gloss black as that's easy to touch in with a standard Halfords gloss black touch-up stick. There are too many permutations of silver to ensure a match.

I too am not fussed about the polished effect. In fact the anthracite option Proteus would look so much better in my opinion if it was all anthracite - except on an anthracite car like mine. So I have to go darker.

I did once enquire about getting some wheels Teflon/non-stick coated as I like both the colour and effect. The company did commercial bakeware and motorcycle wheels, but I reckon there would still be an issue with stone chips. Another group buy perhaps?