Do you know what this is? Marks under clear coat of the wheel.

[pitterchi]

I noticed this mark? On one of my wheels (Nogaro’s). Its under the clear coat and I haven’t had any luck finding information on it. I want to say it started small and seemed to grow a little.

There is no physical damage to the outside of the wheel.

Any help identifying it and opinions if its covered under warranty is appreciated!

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[eurospek]

Have these seen road salt?

 

[Diggs24]

Clear coat is peeling.

 

[pitterchi]

Have these seen road salt?

Yes, plenty of snow/road salt here in the DC area.

Clear coat is peeling.

Is this common?

Thanks for the replies

 

[CDM MK7]

Unfortunately common with brushed aluminium wheels. One of my Austin's started doing this within a few months of ownership, even without exposure to any road salt.

In a lot of cases the clear coat gets slightly compromised at the bead when you do a tire change on the rim. Moisture and oxygen get under the clear coat, the underlying aluminium starts to oxidize, and then begins lifting the clear coat. From there it spreads quickly. Unfortunately nothing you can do to stop or fix it.

 

[ccbird]

Called white worm; very common on clear coat rims especially the diamond cut ones as the GTI uses. Here is a google search result for it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=whi...8ZDgAhUMq4MKHV3YAHcQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=938

 

[imthanick_a]

Yep, very common. Absolutely ruined my wheels on my camry. I used aircraft stripper to get the clear coat off, wire brushed, sand blasted, then painted them with a mix of leftover paints from painting the body of the car and the leftover from painting my moms durango. Was a pain in the ass

 

[thez99]

Never buy clearcoated wheels. Alloy painted ftw

 

[pitterchi]

Called white worm; very common on clear coat rims especially the diamond cut ones as the GTI uses. Here is a google search result for it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=whi...8ZDgAhUMq4MKHV3YAHcQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=938

Thanks ccbird! This is exactly what it is. Helps to know what its called.

Now to see if they'll cover it under warranty...

 

[ccbird]

Thanks ccbird! This is exactly what it is. Helps to know what its called.

Now to see if they'll cover it under warranty...

No worries. I have seen in on my old GTI and the Austins as well as numerous cars from Hondas to Jeeps. Pretty normal especially in snow and salt territory.

Good luck on the warranty claim. My guess is they balk.

 

[thez99]

It's unfortunate but I agree, anytime I've had or seen machined wheels, they peel not too long after new, clearcoated same deal.