Alloy Wheel Corrosion

[SeventySix]

Hi

Anyone else seen this before? I did a quick search of the site and couldn't find anything.

Surprisingly, I have various degrees of similar-looking corrosion on all four alloy wheels. Whilst some of the corrosion is near the rim, it is not kerb damage. I will be taking it to Listers Coventry next week for an official opinion.


OSF


OSR


NSF


NSR. This one is hard to spot as it is very light but it's there nonetheless.

[skyblues11]

perhaps it is worth taking the car to a allow wheel specialist repairer to get a 2nd opinion.

do you use any chemical sprays to clean the wheels?

[risingR]

Have you had the car since new ? They look like poor alloy repairs especially as they all seem to be in places that are prone to damage - just a thought ?

[SeventySix]

Nope, never used any chemicals other than the Auto Glym car shampoo I wash the rest of the car with. I have owned the car from new with no repairs to the wheels.

[maisbitt]

Wheel corrosion (cosmetic) was a big issue on early mk5 Golf GT's with "Hockenheim" alloys. The clear lacquer used to bubble up around the wheel rim edge (with no signs of abuse such as alloy scraping) and the metal would go white underneath - almost looked like very clean bird poop. Got 3 of my 4 wheels replaced. Saw similar corrosion on the VW badge foil on the alloy nut caps and rear bootlid badge too.

Not seen any on the Roc so far.

[SeventySix]

Thanks for the info maisbitt - sounds almost exactly what's happening on mine.

Showed the wheels to a technician at Listers Coventry today and they've offered to repair them tomorrow.

[lancs_lad]

I have some of the black speckling (bottom Photo) on mine and put it down to tar marks which I intend to clean off when I get chance. I'll be taking a closer look tomorrow now.

Personally I wouldn't want the wheels repaired unless they were prepared to take the tyres off and do them properly like they do at http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/?ad ... fAoduGe46A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Looking at the damage to your wheels a repair is just going to mask what's going on underneath, I'd be concerned at what's actually caused them to corrode in the first place.

[Shaun]

The black specks are more likely to be brake dust , there quite hard to get off, clay will remove it if you work it hard enough.

[b0rk]

Are the marks consistent in terms on being inline?

Irrc previous vw wheel issues didn't affect the main spokes. I'm wondering if these are transport damage that been repaired.

[Deagol]

Hi Maisbitt,

When you said "...similar corrosion on the VW badge foil on the alloy nut caps..." do you mean the VW logo'd wheel centre 'cap' ? One of mine is beginning to go off and before I moan to the dealer (or VW Customer Services) I wondered if I was suffering from the same problem?

NB Only Autoglass cleaning products used on the car in the nine months of ownership since new.

[SeventySix]

Personally I wouldn't want the wheels repaired unless they were prepared to take the tyres off and do them properly like they do at http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/?ad ... fAoduGe46A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Looking at the damage to your wheels a repair is just going to mask what's going on underneath, I'd be concerned at what's actually caused them to corrode in the first place.

Thanks for the advice. I will ask them what they're planning on doing and how long their work is warranted for.

Are the marks consistent in terms on being inline?

Irrc previous vw wheel issues didn't affect the main spokes. I'm wondering if these are transport damage that been repaired.

Not exactly inline but it's funny you should mention that.

My car was whisked back on a low loader when in broke down in the Lakes in December so I was wondering whether this has stemmed from damage caused by that transport. Not sure if it explains the damage right on the rims and it's been some weeks since then.

[ashley1407]

Someone else I know had this issue with the wheels on theirs. They just took it to the dealer and all affected wheels were replaced under warranty.

[maisbitt]

Deagol. Yes, I do mean the centre cap of each wheel. It was a plastic cover which had a foil badge that covered the wheel nuts on the Hockenheims, rather than a badge placed in the centre of the wheel which can presumably be peeled off on the 18" GT wheels of a Roc.

[SeventySix]

Someone else I know had this issue with the wheels on theirs. They just took it to the dealer and all affected wheels were replaced under warranty.

Thanks Ashley - just dropped it off and they have confirmed that all four are being replaced. Result.