Combatting Alloy Corrosion....

[georgie_no23]

Hi All,

Recently joined the forum (must say I reckon it's one of the best out there!), and I've noticed quite a few people commenting on corrosion issues with the type 108 5 star composite alloys. :?

I've just purchased my Z coupe from BMW, and the alloys look nearly new and show no signs of corrosion at all (they've probably been re-furbed tbh)

If corrosion on these wheels is an issue, are there any products that any of you guys have used out there to combat it?

Thanks

 

[tomscott]

Corrosion is inevitable. But it happens more on wheels that have been refurbed but not properly, more like they have just been powder coated over the previous finish so they flake. With the age of the cars and previous owners its not always easy to tell so the best thing to do is to have a full refurb where the alloys are dipped and taken back to the metal checked then finished properly. They can also be waxed to reduce the effects of the elements, also dont use a pressure washer on them the pressure can force the water under the lacquer. If you use a hose to wash them down, then spray some cleaning fluid on them but the less acidic tyes because this can also eat through the lacquer, then use a micro fibre mitt to clean.

BMW are prone to doing a crap job on refurbs. Had all mine done before I bought the car as I wasn't happy with them. They just powder coated them and didn't do the inside so there is a lip. You cant see it and the wheel finish looks goo on the outside, but I know its there and because its on the inside where it is more likely to be dirtier the chance of flaking is more likely.

 

[georgie_no23]

Corrosion is inevitable. But it happens more on wheels that have been refurbed but not properly, more like they have just been powder coated over the previous finish so they flake. With the age of the cars and previous owners its not always easy to tell so the best thing to do is to have a full refurb where the alloys are dipped and taken back to the metal checked then finished properly. They can also be waxed to reduce the effects of the elements, also dont use a pressure washer on them the pressure can force the water under the lacquer. If you use a hose to wash them down, then spray some cleaning fluid on them but the less acidic tyes because this can also eat through the lacquer, then use a micro fibre mitt to clean.

BMW are prone to doing a crap job on refurbs. Had all mine done before I bought the car as I wasn't happy with them. They just powder coated them and didn't do the inside so there is a lip. You cant see it and the wheel finish looks goo on the outside, but I know its there and because its on the inside where it is more likely to be dirtier the chance of flaking is more likely.

Thanks for the advice, might look into getting them re-done at the local Infiniti garage, best pal of mine works there and has said he can have them done half price.

I'm a bit supprised by the 108's corroding though as I've also got an E46 coupe with the MV2 alloys and they've been almost bullet proof in terms of wear. Might invest in some RIMWAX, apparently that's what they use at infiniti.

 

[aquazi]

Split rims with polished lips, regardless if bmw made them or not (108's are made by bbs) will corrode without protection.


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[andysat]

Ive read on here some members put a bead of silicone on the join.

 

[srhutch]

Ive read on here some members put a bead of silicone on the join.

That's what I did with my third set.

To be fair though it was only if you took mine off you could see the corrosion.

This was about the worst it got before the dealer changed.

Can't tell you how well the silicone is doing though as I no longer have the car.

 

[Bing]

Ive read on here some members put a bead of silicone on the join.

That's what I did with my third set.

To be fair though it was only if you took mine off you could see the corrosion.

This was about the worst it got before the dealer changed.

Can't tell you how well the silicone is doing though as I no longer have the car.

Isn't the bead visible ?

 

[georgie_no23]

Ive read on here some members put a bead of silicone on the join.

That's what I did with my third set.

To be fair though it was only if you took mine off you could see the corrosion.

This was about the worst it got before the dealer changed.

Can't tell you how well the silicone is doing though as I no longer have the car.

Isn't the bead visible ?

I guess a gun of silicone bathroom sealant would work of you smoothed it in with your thumb. Will barely be noticeable if you used the clear type. However I do wonder how you'd remove it in such a tight crease if ever needed :?

 

[Bing]

Think you could only remove it properly when you decided to get them refurbed and split the rims... I'd be worried the silicone would gradually get dirt ingrained in it resulting in a nasty line round the wheel... Therefore necessitating a pre-refurb removal :?

I am also particularly sh1t at applying silicone in the house, let alone on a visible part of my P&J :roll:

 

[srhutch]

Clear bead of silicone is not visible unless you take the wheel off, as long as your not Bing by the sounds of it

 

[Bing]

Clear bead of silicone is not visible unless you take the wheel off, as long as your not Bing by the sounds of it

 

[georgie_no23]

Clear bead of silicone is not visible unless you take the wheel off, as long as your not Bing by the sounds of it

:lol:

Think I'll give the silicone a go! Might spray some Autoglym alloy wheel seal over just to make sure. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Bing]

Hold on, are you talking about the inside of the wheel split, not the outside ? If so, darn - wish this thread had started before I stuck them back on the car :slaphead:

I am having a head slapping week so far :roll:

 

[georgie_no23]

Hold on, are you talking about the inside of the wheel split, not the outside ? If so, darn - wish this thread had started before I stuck them back on the car :slaphead:

I am having a head slapping week so far :roll:

That's where I thought we were talking about, easy to get it confused when talking about it on here and not face to face with the wheels present! I'm sure you'll be able to stick a bit 'o silicone in there with the wheels on the car, just might involve achy knees

 

[srhutch]

Mine only ever showed signs of corrosion from the inside which I believe is more or a water trap.

 

[srhutch]

Mine only ever showed signs of corrosion from the inside which I believe is more or a water trap.

 

[bigdog]

Part of the problem is the type of alu they use. At one time in the past. I owned a kenworth truck that had an Aussie kangaroo bumper on it. It was made of marine grade alu. It was highly resistant to salt corrosion. It had no coating at all and didn't need it. So in a nutshell we can blame the cheesy alu that bbs uses in their expensive corrosion prone wheels.

 

[Jembo]

Hi peps.

Just had my 108's acid dipped, sand blasted... blah blah blah ... fully referbed & asked the guys opinion of this isue.

His suggestion was to have a outer rim sprayed super bright silver (AUDI Titanium silver) with the innards sprayed Porsche silver grey...

they look FAB!!! and because they're primed am advised will last far longer than the diamond cut finish...

Will try to post some pics this weekend