washing

[CottyGee]

Originally Posted by 300crocks

Okay how about using a cloth car wash, anyone thiink that is a good idea. I haven't done it but there are NO touchless carwashes in the area, which is horrible.

I'm not a fan of any type of carwash other than a loving handwash done by the owner, or MAYBE a detail shop, provided I trust them to not be complete boneheads.

The auto carwashes typically use pretty strong detergents - esp. the "touchless" ones. As stated by someone else, the cloth ones have tremendous potential for damage to the finish, depending on whether or not the car in front of you went through a mudbog just prior to entering the carwash.

I dunno WHAT to say to you folks that live where freaking ICE actually forms on your vehicle from washing it! Being an Arizona Native, I have trouble comprehending that as a concept!!! I s'pose a touchless is better than a bunch of corosive salt... I'd sure as hell wanna have some major coats of polymer applied just prior to the beginning of the season! And maybe even midway through, find some way to apply another series of coats - just to try to protect the paint from all the salt and the harshness of the touchless systems.

Oh - one other note... Take heed of the warning in the Owner's Manual where it talks about automatic carwashes possibly damaging the finish on your wheels. THAT stuff is murder on the wheels.

At the end of 5 years of accumulated wear-n-tear on the finish, the home handwashed car is going to have significant appearance differences from the "carwash" vehicle. Just a thought to take into consideration...

[coolvanilla]

Originally Posted by developerx

I'm surprised about the pitting. If you can, take some digital pics and post them here for comments from me and others on what to do. Try to get as much detail as possible. It's odd that it's prevalent on the lip of the rim. Is this the same on all 4 rims?

Yup - all 4 rims. Not sure of the pic quality, used my new camera phone. But I can't get them to upload anyway. Maybe too big (85K) but I can't figure out how to shrink them.

[BMWhat?]

Folks, I wouldn't use Flitz on the stock 300C wheels. Those wheels are not REAL chrome plated aluminium. I really don't know what it is, it seems like a chrome covered plastic that adhered to an aluminium surface... I could be wrong. Treat it like paint when cleaning it.

I'm glad I live in sunny Laguna Beach, CA and don't have to deal with that salt, snow, slush stuff. Been there, done that.

Regarding the pitting, Coolvanilla, I'd definately raise hell with the dealer about that. Regarding that picture, nice shoes.

[Northern Rider]

The wheels are aluminum with a chromed plastic cover. The pitting is in several places on all 4 wheels.

Here is a close up photo of the pitting on my wheels.

[Northern Rider]

I just had a closer look at my wheels. There doesn't seem to be any clearcoat on the aluminum. At this time of the year, our roads are covered in salt. Aluminum deteriorates quickly unless it is sealed.

Is it possible DC put the plastic cladding on top of unsealed aluminum wheels?

I would appreciate feedback, as I am meeting with a DC Canada rep about this problem. My wheels are really getting bad. It looks like corrosion is leaking onto the lip from under the cladding.

Does anyone else have corroding wheels? I want mine replaced - no - correction - I want a credit towards a better quality wheel.

[CottyGee]

I believe these ARE chrome clad, with a clear coat on top.

[BMWhat?]

Northern Rider, thats some nasty stuff eating away at your wheels. I'd say you've definately got a good case for replacement. However, I wish you luck on that credit towards the purchase of a non-DC product... you're going to need it.

I am still of the opinion that the wheels need to be treated like paint. I care for my wheels (and the rest of the car for that matter) like it's a garage queen. It gets washed weekly by hand using the best products and the most conservative washing practices. The wheels get nothing harsher than a boar's hair brush (about 70 freaking dollars!) along with the mildest of wheel cleaners of non-acid PH balanced wheel cleaners. Despite my best efforts, I still have gotten significant swirl marks on the wheels. My point is that whatever those wheels are made of it sure is easy to scratch and need to be treated VERY delicately.

Conclusion: Wheels look good but they're cheaply made and it shows.

[Cdnhemi]

Originally Posted by Northern Rider

The wheels are aluminum with a chromed plastic cover. The pitting is in several places on all 4 wheels.

Here is a close up photo of the pitting on my wheels.

As our weather is fairly mild right now,I hope to take me car to one of those do it yourself car washes in the morning and I will check to see if I have a problem with my rims and I will let you know. I'd also like to get these tires changed as well but not on my dime.

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by BMWhat?

Northern Rider, thats some nasty stuff eating away at your wheels. I'd say you've definately got a good case for replacement. However, I wish you luck on that credit towards the purchase of a non-DC product... you're going to need it.

I am still of the opinion that the wheels need to be treated like paint. I care for my wheels (and the rest of the car for that matter) like it's a garage queen. It gets washed weekly by hand using the best products and the most conservative washing practices. The wheels get nothing harsher than a boar's hair brush (about 70 freaking dollars!) along with the mildest of wheel cleaners of non-acid PH balanced wheel cleaners. Despite my best efforts, I still have gotten significant swirl marks on the wheels. My point is that whatever those wheels are made of it sure is easy to scratch and need to be treated VERY delicately.

Conclusion: Wheels look good but they're cheaply made and it shows.

It's growing like a cancer, despite all my efforts to protect the wheels. I have a heated garage and keep the car as clean and protected as possible.

Met with my dealer's service manager yesterday. It appears that the plastic cladding is flexing and rubbing the clearcoat and my protection off the inside lip of the aluminium rim. He feels there is no point going to DC with a claim until the spring.

He also said that DC may agree to replace with the same wheels. I want to try for a credit against SRT-8 20" wheels. If this is a one off problem with just my wheels, I may get S.F.A. If others report the same problem, maybe we can get some sort of settlement.

This issue is probably going to have to wait until the spring.

[Northern Rider]

Originally Posted by Mikeyjohn

As our weather is fairly mild right now,I hope to take me car to one of those do it yourself car washes in the morning and I will check to see if I have a problem with my rims and I will let you know. I'd also like to get these tires changed as well but not on my dime.

Mikeyjohn, I will be interested to hear what you find with your rims.