Alloy wheel refurbishment

[Michael 38]

I started a thread 6 months ago about corrosion on the diamond cut alloy wheels of my 2.5 year old volvo xc60 they have now been refurbished under warranty 2 times and are failing again.
Volvo now want to paint them plain silver I have refused and said i want brand new wheels as its only the bottom of the range xc60s that have plain silver wheels and mines the top of the range and will be worth less when I come to sell it, am I being unreasonable the cars still under warranty ?

[midgetda]

Personally no I don't think you are being unreasonable. I know other manufacturers (such as BMW) do replace them under the original warranty although on a case by case basis. Diamond cut finishes to alloys do fail and I think they are the worst for then corroding as water gets under the top coat. I am probably not explaining the process very well but in essence that is what happens. As soon as any mark is made then water ingress will follow and they end up a milky/cloudy finish. There is only so many times an alloy can be refinished when diamond cut as well.

[lewie]

Have you checked other cars with the same wheels
If they do supply a new set and it’s an inherent problem with the same you’ll be in the same boat shortly

[Michael 38]

Have you checked other cars with the same wheels
If they do supply a new set and it’s an inherent problem with the same you’ll be in the same boat shortly

I think my wheels themselves are faulty I have seen loads of volvo diamond cut alloys a lot older than mine that are still perfect the last refurbishment was only done 3 months ago the lacquer dosnt seem to stick to the metal properly

[midgetda]

It sounds as though the refinish wasn't done especially well then.

[oldoakknives]

I think my wheels themselves are faulty I have seen loads of volvo diamond cut alloys a lot older than mine that are still perfect the last refurbishment was only done 3 months ago the lacquer dosnt seem to stick to the metal properly

It’s only as good as the lacquer used. And how it’s applied.
Lacquered finishes have always been a nightmare to maintain.

[cyrusir]

I started a thread 6 months ago about corrosion on the diamond cut alloy wheels of my 2.5 year old volvo xc60 they have now been refurbished under warranty 2 times and are failing again.
Volvo now want to paint them plain silver I have refused and said i want brand new wheels as its only the bottom of the range xc60s that have plain silver wheels and mines the top of the range and will be worth less when I come to sell it, am I being unreasonable the cars still under warranty ?

that is their problem and not yours, clearly whoever they are using for the refurb arent doing it properly, id be looking for a proper refurb or a new set of wheels.

[Kingstepper]

Personally no I don't think you are being unreasonable. I know other manufacturers (such as BMW) do replace them under the original warranty although on a case by case basis. Diamond cut finishes to alloys do fail and I think they are the worst for then corroding as water gets under the top coat. I am probably not explaining the process very well but in essence that is what happens. As soon as any mark is made then water ingress will follow and they end up a milky/cloudy finish. There is only so many times an alloy can be refinished when diamond cut as well.

I think my wheels themselves are faulty I have seen loads of volvo diamond cut alloys a lot older than mine that are still perfect the last refurbishment was only done 3 months ago the lacquer dosnt seem to stick to the metal properly

Could it be that your alloys are getting more than above average marks?

Driving style, wife etc. Just another variable.

[Michael 38]

that is their problem and not yours, clearly whoever they are using for the refurb arent doing it properly, id be looking for a proper refurb or a new set of wheels.

The first refurb lasted 9 months the second 3 months and it can only be done twice it was done by some mobile Bloke they get in I've asked for a new set not got a reply but I can see it being a battle as they will be at least £500 each and I'm sure neither volvo or the dealer will want to foot the bill

[Michael 38]

Could it be that your alloys are getting more than above average marks?

Driving style, wife etc. Just another variable.

The wheels were un damaged each time the lacquer has started lifting off on its own even from new that's why I thought there could be a fault with the metal

[Montello]

Insist on new ...

I once had a similar issue on a Honda and they gave me a new set no quibble ... disappointing Volvo are not doing that, I say that as a Volvo owner ...

[oldoakknives]

The wheels were un damaged each time the lacquer has started lifting off on its own even from new that's why I thought there could be a fault with the metal

They obviously don’t send them back to Volvo for refurb. So would use a local wheel refurbishment service. Clean and skim and re lacquer. For less than the cost of a new wheel on each one. Diamond cut and lacquered wheels were always a nightmare. Sometimes even perfect looking lacquer would flake and peel off during tyre fitting just from the action of the tyre sliding over the rim. Lacquer just doesn’t bond very well to polished ally.

[Kingstepper]

The wheels were un damaged each time the lacquer has started lifting off on its own even from new that's why I thought there could be a fault with the metal

Okay, though hard to see how there could be a fault with the metal, if skimmed it’s just fresh metal.

[noidea]

It sounds like a smart repair if it's a local guy in a van. Not sure he would have a lathe and powder coating facilities in his van?

They need to be done properly, should be £100-£125 each, it does vary by location.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[Taxboy]

I also believe that you can only repair diamond cut alloys 2 or 3 times before the metal removed during the skimming potentially affects the structural integrity of the wheel

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[Dave O'Sullivan]

It sounds like a smart repair if it's a local guy in a van. Not sure he would have a lathe and powder coating facilities in his van?

They need to be done properly, should be £100-£125 each, it does vary by location.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

A lot of the vans do have lathes these days. However, I’ve not seen one finished to the standard of a static site.

[noidea]

A lot of the vans do have lathes these days. However, I’ve not seen one finished to the standard of a static site.

Well I never, would like to see the set up. I know from experience the guys I have used in the past wouldn't fit their kit in a van.
One of the problems I have seen is after the wheel has been re-cut they don't deburr the trailing edge and this causes breakthrough with the lacquer.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

[Mj2k]

Will never have a diamond cut wheel again, it is not if, but when they go. Even if you do not kerb a wheel, stone chips, salt, pressure washers are all the enemy of them.

Same as split rims with potential issues. Give me a solid single piece powder coated, whether it be silver, shadow or black, although for black I prefer matte as gloss black is a right bugger to look good.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Stilgoe1972]

I have magnesium wheels. Try getting them refinished after a dent or chip appears. Heavy handed tyre changers are the enemy.

[Dave O'Sullivan]

Well I never, would like to see the set up. I know from experience the guys I have used in the past wouldn't fit their kit in a van.
One of the problems I have seen is after the wheel has been re-cut they don't deburr the trailing edge and this causes breakthrough with the lacquer.

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro XL using Tapatalk

I went to a trade show a couple of years ago and they were selling the kit. Can’t remember the price but it was high enough for me to thank them and bugger off in search of the free bacon sandwich that my ticket had promised me.

Not deburring the trailing edge is a good point. I think you’re right.

- - - Updated - - -

I have magnesium wheels. Try getting them refinished after a dent or chip appears. Heavy handed tyre changers are the enemy.

We do a couple of customers with mag wheels. As you say, a heavy hand can cause no end of damage.

[gingerboy]

Post a picture of the wheels showing the edge nearest where it meets the tyre.

To me it sounds like they have been smart repaired and poor quality lacquer used. Hard to comment without seeing the finish etc

Sent from my SM-S928B using Tapatalk