Hi All,

Yeti is into its 6th year now and over the last few month have noticed corrosion on the Annupurna alloys, it seems to bubble up under the lacquer right in the centre.

Happening to various degrees on all wheels, see the attached pic.

Anyone else experienced this or any advice on what to do about it.

Presuming anti corrosion warranty excludes alloys!

Have you changed the centre caps, it looks remarkably good for that age.
If yes were they pried out from the front rather than drilling into it and pulling it out with a screw or taking wheel off and knocking out from the back?

Thanks Urrell, no haven't touched the centre caps they are original.

Would you expect them to look more knackered at 6 years?

Cheers, David

 

13 minutes ago, fuzzybunny said:

Would you expect them to look more knackered at 6 years?

Mine have needed changing on 2 Skoda's at about 3 years.

...alloy wheels are funny things. Its to do with alloy and there is not a lot you can do about it . Some seem to last ages, others I have known (friends Merc), started to go after about 18 months. I doubt if any manufacturer will warrant alloys much beyond 12 months and it's nothing to do with how well you clean / protect them either as it actually starts "in" the alloy. Only option really is to get them removed and go to one of the many firms that specialise in re-doing them. I think they normally charge around £50 per wheel.

19 minutes ago, Stubod said:

...alloy wheels are funny things. Its to do with alloy and there is not a lot you can do about it . Some seem to last ages, others I have known (friends Merc), started to go after about 18 months. I doubt if any manufacturer will warrant alloys much beyond 12 months and it's nothing to do with how well you clean / protect them either as it actually starts "in" the alloy. Only option really is to get them removed and go to one of the many firms that specialise in re-doing them. I think they normally charge around £50 per wheel.

thanks for that didn't realise the alloys were so crap.

£50 per wheel ain't so bad to refurbish, do they strip them, presumably they want them with the tyres off?

Yours are quite good for their age,I had to replace the center caps after 2 years and all 4 wheels were in need of a refurb by the time they were four years old but they were diamond cut which I think is a recipe for disaster to just have a thin coat of lacquer over bare metal

Edited 21 August, 20187 yr by Sad555

13 hours ago, fuzzybunny said:

thanks for that didn't realise the alloys were so crap.

£50 per wheel ain't so bad to refurbish, do they strip them, presumably they want them with the tyres off?

If you go to a dedicated wheel specialist they'll charge anywhere from £50-100 per wheel depending on the finish you want.  Closer to £50 for stock/OEM look, price goes up when you start asking for something more fancy or there's a lot of damage to repair.  I'd personally go for powder coating as the finish will be a little more durable and the cost *can* be cheaper too.  A wet paint finish would arguably be smoother and nicer under close scrutiny but for OEM silver I'm sure there's not much in it;   pro's and con's to each. 

 

Price is usually to remove, refit tyres (incl. balancing and valves) though some may charge less if you bring just the wheels to them.  Most will offer axle stands for your car to be put on whilst the work is being carried out.  A one day turnaround is the norm IME.  

 

I always think it's a good idea to get some new OEM centre caps and wheel nut covers too and ask for them to be fitted after the work is done, there's loads available on eBay. 

 

EDIT: Don't whatever you do, don't use a SMART repairer who will just sand, prime and spray the face of the wheels and use a heat lamp to 'bake' them.  False economy and they will look crap in less than a year. 

Edited 22 August, 20187 yr by penguin17

many thanks penguin 17 that's really helpful.

12 hours ago, penguin17 said:

EDIT: Don't whatever you do, use a SMART repairer who will just sand, prime and spray the face of the wheels and use a heat lamp to 'bake' them.  False economy and they will look crap in less than a year. 

 

Is that a do or a don't?

50 minutes ago, Gyp said:

 

Is that a do or a don't?

  It's a firm DON"T! 

 

Thanks! 

Ok if you are p/x the car as dealer will knock off a lot for repairs and get in done cheap to sell on

Ok if you are going to  p/x the car as dealer will knock off a lot for repairs and get in done cheap to sell on

Edited 22 August, 20187 yr by Sad555