Alloy wheels - lacquer peeling?

cr-07

Hi all,

Looking for opinions on the following:

Bought a 2020 BMW recently, and have noticed that the lacquer on the alloys are peeling off - at least I think it's the lacquer.

Where it is not peeling, it is smooth to the touch, and where it is peeling, it is slightly rough.

Causing quite a bit of discolouration where the peeling is occurring as well (it is not surface dirt, tried wiping it away).

Anyone have experience dealing with this, or how much it would cost, roughly, to repair? Is it a big job or can it be done DIY?

Photos:

bazz26

I have those wheels and have the same problem.

That is moisture/water that has gotten in under the peeling lacquer probably due to either a stone chip or kerbing, very common with these diamond cut rims. It's the onset of what is known as white worm and will spread across the rim eventually unfortunately. I'm not sure diamond cut rims are something that can be repaired properly via DIY but if you want a professional job done then the rim(s) will need to be refurbished. Going rate for a good refurb is about €100 a wheel these days depending on the wheel size. If getting them refurbished then getting them powder coated might be a better option as a powder coating finish is more durable than diamond cut.

JoeA3

difficult to tell for sure but is there kerb damage there?
If not kerb damage, the most likely root cause for when it started is a tyre change. The fitter would have inflicted minor damage to the rim edge when levering off the old tyre. Wouldn’t have looked like any damage done at the time but over time moisture gets in under the lacquer and you get this. There’s no stopping it, it will spread and there’s no DIY solution that won’t make it look worse. Only fix is a full refurb and there’s a few places these days that specialise in it. It’s not a big job, pretty routine. Maybe €100 ish per wheel.

Edit: it’s obvious from the last pic that you’ve hit kerbs. That’ll have broken the lacquer and this corrosion takes hold from there.

cr-07

The kerb has been hit on one of the wheels alright.

Thanks for the feedback all, looks like I'll have to get a full refurb done. Will look to get the powder coated so would hopefully avoid the issue in the future.

100 quid a corner is not nice 😂

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121964714#Comment_121964714

Where abouts are you based? Can get it done a lot cheaper than that if not diamond cut which to vast majority will not be noticeable (slightly less shiny but more resilient)

cr-07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121969070#Comment_121969070

I'm based in Galway city.

When you say a lot cheaper, roughly how much how we talking? (Obviously depends on who/where does it, but just to get an idea).

Would powder coating keep the same 'look' of the alloy, or would that be up to myself to decide on colour etc?

These are the alloys:

Theres also a ding on the door, and 4-5 small dings on the bonnet which I'm hoping to get fixed 😊 :

Any idea on the effort/cost involved to get them sorted?

GarlicBed

your talking more like 600e for 4 wheels Dimond cut.

cr-07

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121969501#Comment_121969501

600? That's mad money for a wheel refurb, no? Are you saying that getting them re-cut will cost that much? Or would it be cheaper to get them powder-coated?

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121969438#Comment_121969438

In Dublin can get 4 wheels done for around €250 without diamond cut as in photos and can restore to original matched colour or choice of anything you'd like.

The dent on crease line will be difficult to get perfect but price really depends how good you want it as often you can get 90% result for a fraction of the price. I'd wager 200-400 to get them sorted.

Technique

I've been quoted €450 to get my four diamond cut alloys repaired (19" wheels). Thinking of changing car this year so will bite the bullet and get them done as they detract greatly from the overall appearance of the car. I thought about powder coating but think that the diamond cut suit the car better.

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121969620#Comment_121969620

Is that your man DB Autobody? They are just being sanded down and resprayed black and silver to give that diamond cut look. Not perfect but does the job in most cases I’d say.

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121970559#Comment_121970559

Yep it is, I know that's why I said it's without being diamond cut. To be honest, it makes little to no difference unless going side by side for a fraction of the price. Other places will do it too for similair but this lad has good deals especially if you get a few bits done.

charcosull

Had a similar issue. Just went with a plain grey instead of diamond cut. I used Quinn Autostyle out near Athenry.

Think it was about 60 euro a wheel.

GalwayGaillimh

Plus 1 for Quinn Autostyling out near Woodlawn… in middle of nowhere but they are excellent

cr-07

Will check them out, thanks!

PsychoPete

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121970559#Comment_121970559

I wouldn't let that man paint my garden wall with some of the bodywork I've seen him do

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121981474#Comment_121981474

Yeah I was victim to it many years ago. Never again😂

satnavadays

With powder coating will the wheels look the same as diamond cut finish just less shiney or are they all the one colour rather than 2 tone?

I got my tires changed and wheels now all look kerbed. I got a quotation of €130 per wheel.

PsychoPete

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121983324#Comment_121983324

Surprised to see he's still getting business.

Personally I'd get them refurbished with the diamond cut finish but depends if you want to spend around €480 to get them refurbed

djan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121984523#Comment_121984523

Yeah they will look a little flatter in shine but this can be compensated using a metallic paint. Can be as many colours as you want, it's just a bit of extra work. Usually they will just spray the one colour and where it was diamond cut will get filled and sanded as needed with a potentially a transparent layer on top.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121985673#Comment_121985673

Have had a few bits into him over the years and got great results considering the price including bumpers, wheels and calipers. Any time myself or work people were over he had a full workshop so seems to be going well in that regard.