Bubbling Alloy Wheels

[minnnt_ts]

I have a T180 with the gun metal grey alloy wheels. I have noticed that they have stater to corrode/bubble and the paint is starting to come off around the affected areas. Is this a recurring problem with these wheels? I don't use any alloy wheel cleaner on them, just Auto Glym Bodywork Shampoo, although i have no idea what the previous owner used to do but the wheel nuts aren't corroded so i suspect they just cleaned them normally too. Are they covered under warranty? It is a September 2006 56 reg with 58,200 miles on hence why i want to act quickly if they are.

Many thanks, David. :)

[cfc1]

Wheels are covered under warranty, take your car up and they should swap them for a new set.... but they will soon start to bubble too, it's a common problem accross the range.

[minnnt_ts]

thanks cfc1 :) i will let you know how i get on :)

[Pat2u]

You should have no problem getting them done, had mine replaced within 6 days of letting my dealer know about the problem.

However as already said the problem will re-occur sorry to say.

[Q.S.]

Always a problem with painted Alloy wheels, they get stone chips, water creaps in under the paint and away it goes.

To help minimise the effects, treat the wheels like any other painted panel. Apply a good wax polish to them, it will help stop dirt and brake dust sticking to them (which causes the black discolouration) and will also repel water.

[Aamir2892]

Does any know know if it's covered by the 12 year corrosion warranty because the same has happened to my wheels. My cars done 70,072 miles though!

[rooo]

Does any know know if it's covered by the 12 year corrosion warranty because the same has happened to my wheels. My cars done 70,072 miles though!

I'm wondering this too - 2 of mine are going (the other 2 were replaced a couple of years ago whan a lorry drove into me).

I know chipsaway do this kid of thing, but it's a bit annoying to have to pay to have it done on a 4 year old car. Saying that, there's a guy down the road with a 3 year old BMW X5 with a similar problem so I don't feel too bad!

[igormus]

Does any know know if it's covered by the 12 year corrosion warranty because the same has happened to my wheels. My cars done 70,072 miles though!

I'm wondering this too - 2 of mine are going (the other 2 were replaced a couple of years ago whan a lorry drove into me).

I know chipsaway do this kid of thing, but it's a bit annoying to have to pay to have it done on a 4 year old car. Saying that, there's a guy down the road with a 3 year old BMW X5 with a similar problem so I don't feel too bad!

hello

this can be easy rectified by means of cleaning and re-painting by sprayers sold on the market.

the point is to select the same colour. Cheers/Igor

[anewman]

The best overall option is to take them to a specialist alloy wheel refurb company to be powder coated.

[igormus]

The best overall option is to take them to a specialist alloy wheel refurb company to be powder coated.

another way -- to clean it by angle grinder with cap brush and re-paint by sprayer balloon.

cheers/Igor

[hertsnminds]

Always a problem with painted Alloy wheels

I thought an alloy wheel was made of aluminum alloy (and this does not rust) and not steel painted with silver paint? Does that mean that when Toyota sell you alloy wheels they are just selling painted steel wheels? Or are the wheels made of alloy and painted?

[t-spiritpete]

Always a problem with painted Alloy wheels

I thought an alloy wheel was made of aluminum alloy (and this does not rust) and not steel painted with silver paint? Does that mean that when Toyota sell you alloy wheels they are just selling painted steel wheels? Or are the wheels made of alloy and painted?

No the wheels are alloy and they do not rust, it is oxidisation, the alloy wheels are painted then lacquered to give them a nice finish. The problem i think is when a wheel design has very sharp edges on part of the wheel this can allow the lacquer to break letting in contaminates like salt, brake dust and water get between the paint and the base alloy this causes the oxidisation. Kerbing can cause this type of damage but that is not the case with the photo. The wheel in question is designed just like that, i know because my car has the same wheels as the photo. Because i take a lot of care of my car which is 2yrs(40kmls) old now i periodically remove each wheel and clean the inside section to prevent the damage. I'm not defending Toyota here as i think the design shape and quality is bad generally, maybe they should have lacquered the inside of the wheel. Personally i like the shape and so i am willing to go through the cleaning process on a regular basis. I do understand others points of view raised here and you should not have to go to these lengths to maintain them!

Regards Pete.

[Duffryn]

Back in 2001 I bought a brand new Corolla with alloys, in 2002 all wheels had to be replaced, and again in 2003 all wheels were replaced, all obviously under warranty, due to corrosion around the centre caps. On each occasion I was assured by the dealer that the (temporary) production problem had been overcome. Changed the car in 2004 before it happened again!

[Karma Supra]

If its any consolation they have been doing it since the early 90s!

[Q.S.]

If its any consolation they have been doing it since the early 90s!

If any of you decide to do a respray job on your wheels (as Igor suggested), any bare Alluminium alloy must be sprayed with self etching primer before applying any paint and lacquer. If you dont use self etch, the paint will not key on to the alloy properly and so will not last long before it starts to lift again.

Not very nice stuff to use as it is acidic. Make sure you are well ventilated and wearing a suitable spray mask for the job.