Corrosion On Clearcoated Alloy Wheels

[pm26]

It seems that this is an ongoing problem for GM. Yesterday I saw a GMT900 whose alloy wheels were badly pitted, worse than those on my truck (GMT800). This is coastal central Florida, a very corrosive area because of high humidity and salt from the Atlantic ocean.

 

I thought that GM improved their clearcoating process on these wheels, but apparently not. Why don't they just forget about polished wheels and switch to cast wheels with rough silver painted finish? Those never seem to corrode. Clearcoated polished wheels look good only when new, but are totally impractical in the snow belt or Atlantic coastal regions.

[chas0218]

It seems that this is an ongoing problem for GM. Yesterday I saw a GMT900 whose alloy wheels were badly pitted, worse than those on my ruck. This is coastal central Florida, a very corrosive area because of salt from the Atlantic ocean.

 

I thought that GM improved their clearcoating process on these wheels, but apparently not. Why don't they foget about polished wheels and start making cast wheels with rought silver painted finish? Those never seem to corrode. Clearcoated polishede wheels look good only when new, buty are totally impractical in the snow belt or Atlantic coastal regions.

 

 

I agree, My wheels on my truck are the same way but are actually corroding under the clear coat. All of my clear coat is in tact but must have had a small pin hole. I will be removing the wheels and getting them powder coated just a silver, or natural color.

 

My wheels are 7 years old but still you would think in 7 years GM would have a fix.

[ajcain79]

I had my wheels refinished under warranty 5 months ago. I noticed that the clear coat is already chipped and the corrosion has started again. Very frustrating. I'm debating having them do it again, but now I am beyond my 36,000 mile warranty. Not sure if I want to deal with the headache of taking it to the dealership again.

[pm26]

I had my wheels refinished under warranty 5 months ago. I noticed that the clear coat is already chipped and the corrosion has started again. Very frustrating. I'm debating having them do it again, but now I am beyond my 36,000 mile warranty. Not sure if I want to deal with the headache of taking it to the dealership again.

 

The wheels on my truck are slightly corroded, and GM offered to have them refinished before my warranty ran out, but I knew it was a waste of time, so I did not do it. I have similar finish clearcoated wheels on my Mazda 626 and they were replaced by Mazda dealer under warranty, and the new ones are corroded again several years later. This type of wheel finish simply does not hold up in my area.

 

The wheels are constantly hit with sand and gravel when you drive, so no matter how good the clearcoat finish, the surface will be damaged and corrosion will start.

[chas0218]

My cousin used a clear coat on his snowmobile that was considered to be "Bullet Proof" not literally but it was made to stand up to flexing and impacts. I will see if I can get the name for it. That is if you wanted to re-finish the wheels.

[pm26]

I had my wheels refinished under warranty 5 months ago. I noticed that the clear coat is already chipped and the corrosion has started again. Very frustrating. I'm debating having them do it again, but now I am beyond my 36,000 mile warranty. Not sure if I want to deal with the headache of taking it to the dealership again.

 

It definitely is a headache, because it my case they said that the truck would have to remain on the lift without wheels inside their shop for about a week before the wheels came back from the refinishing shop in south Florida. It seems that some dealerships have a lot better system, as they already have refinished wheels on hand and just switch them out, which takes only a few hours.

 

If I refinish these wheels, I will probably have them bead blasted to roughen the surface and painted silver color.

[sonjaab]

I had/have the 16 PYO wheels on my 01-04-07 2500s.

 

The wheels on my 01 and 04 were perfect when I traded them.

 

My 07 gmt-900 wheels had corrosion on them a 2 yrs old.

GM replaced them with a "remanufactured" set under warranty.

[ajcain79]

I had my wheels refinished under warranty 5 months ago. I noticed that the clear coat is already chipped and the corrosion has started again. Very frustrating. I'm debating having them do it again, but now I am beyond my 36,000 mile warranty. Not sure if I want to deal with the headache of taking it to the dealership again.

 

It definitely is a headache, because it my case they said that the truck would have to remain on the lift without wheels inside their shop for about a week before the wheels came back from the refinishing shop in south Florida. It seems that some dealerships have a lot better system, as they already have refinished wheels on hand and just switch them out, which takes only a few hours.

 

If I refinish these wheels, I will probably have them bead blasted to roughen the surface and painted silver color.

 

Did they at least give you a loaner or a rental car? That would suck.

 

The dealership took a set of black steel wheels off the lot and put them on my truck while my wheels were getting refinished.