ID the damage to my wheel

[dylan8]

Hi All,

Looks like I've lucked out again...

One of my A8s has gained some interesting marks while in storage.









I wont post where I got them from yet. (although im sure a lot of you can guess and will say 'what did you expect' to the build quality.

The wheels are only just over a year old, and have only been on my car ~8months. The marking is under the clear coat, that wheel has never been scratched, kerbed, polished, had tyres removed etc.
Im told by the place i brought them from that it is from a chemical i have used on them. (how does it get under the clear coat????????) Also the fact its on one wheel, not all four tells me otherwise as they all get washed and used in the same way, same time, same place everytime

All they can do is offer me a new wheel for discounted rates of $150 per wheel as its my fault?

Really I'm just hoping someone can tell me what may have caused it as i myself have no idea.

Cheers

[Ozram]

They get a lot of this in Europe where they put salt on the roads for the ice. I think it is basically moisture that has got under the clearcoat and "worms" its way towards the centre of the rim. Not sure you can repair it except for re-machining and re-coating. For more info...
How many have been sucessful with Monza II white worm warranty claims? - Tyresmoke Forums

This one has pics...
Killing The White Worm....

[WABIT]

strip and recoat the clearcoat, next will be flaking........

dom

[dylan8]

Cheers guys. so much easier to find info when you search 'white worm' along with vw/wheel etc.
Have any idea how much that would sting me to get some one to strip and recoat? might just get rid of them like i had originally planned...

[VW VR6]

I have same problem with my allow wheels on Ford Falcon...and it's original factory FORD wheels.

[dylan8]

I have same problem with my allow wheels on Ford Falcon...ant it's original factory FORD wheels.

seems to happen a lot, i had spoken to someone else on the forum a few days ago and he had the same problem on his holden.

Trying to work out how they would look in black...

[Silver dub]

Only problem with painting them black dyl is that you would still have to get the clear stripped back or sand it back, then you still have to paint them and clear again.

[dylan8]

Only problem with painting them black dyl is that you would still have to get the clear stripped back or sand it back, then you still have to paint them and clear again.

True... and im not keen for all spaces between the spokes

[jayjay]

whip em off, get your stockies back on to roll on, rub back with fine paper 800 - 2000 grit, polish and re-clear coat.

lucky they're not machined looking faces....

[Jace]

...rub back with fine paper 800 - 2000 grit, polish and re-clear coat.

I'd probably just use thinners to get all the clearcoat off, then give them a good prepsol/wax and grease remover, then re-clear.
You could probably even blend the clear, to save yourself cleaning and coating the whole wheel-face. Just use thinners on the affected areas + a little bit more.

[dylan8]

whats the best way to clear coat? is it something any idiot (me) do at home?

[Jace]

I'd dodgy it with a spray can. Just try and buy a good brand-name product.
Try it on something else a similar colour/finish first, and compare it to the factory clear on the wheel.
If you don't think it's do-able, get a quote from a panel-shop for a coat of clear over the face of each wheel.

[dylan8]

I'd dodgy it with a spray can. Just try and buy a good brand-name product.
Try it on something else a similar colour/finish first, and compare it to the factory clear on the wheel.
If you don't think it's do-able, get a quote from a panel-shop for a coat of clear over the face of each wheel.

well cheap wheels deserve are only going to get cheap treatment.
Whats it worth from a panel shop do you know?

[WABIT]

its fairly simple, spray a quick dust coat over the top, let that sit for 15min, it should be tacky, then spray slow and even coats over the top....... leave it overnight, come back to it with 1200 or 1500 grit and wet sand it lighly just to take the orange peel off, then use some polish and a rag over the top in a swirl motion.....

dom

[dylan8]

Thanks, will have a crack if i decide to keep them. Id rather be refurbing my other wheels then these POS