How good is the finish on your wheels !!

[Pag]

Hi
Like most people I'm looking to put some nicer wheels on my T6. Nicer in my opinion, and this isn't about size or ET.
From what I've seen and read the paint, lacquer protection on aftermarket wheels doesn't appear that great.

I know this will also be impacted from the treatment of the wheels, kerbing scratches and the weather also how offtern they are cleaned will impact the time scale.

But from what I've read and from passed experience the finish on the wheels isn't upto much longevity even when cleaned regularly.

What are your thoughts and experiences and in your opinion which are the worst style or make to avoid.
Cheers Paul

 

[RayF]

You could try a ceramic coating, in fact I bought a bottle of GTechniq C5 ceramic wheel coating an I haven't used it because I'm having a glass coating put on the van by Paintseal Direct and they do the wheels as part of the job, so this C5 is not needed if you're interested. Its the 30ml kit with the applicators to coat all 4 wheels all over.

Gtechniq Ceramic Coating Products - Smart Surface Science

www.gtechniq.co.uk

 

[Paynewright]

avoid diamond cut features - moisture gets under the lacquer and they look rubbish in no time.

 

[Pag]

You could try a ceramic coating, in fact I bought a bottle of GTechniq C5 ceramic wheel coating an I haven't used it because I'm having a glass coating put on the van by Paintseal Direct and they do the wheels as part of the job, so this C5 is not needed if you're interested. Its the 30ml kit with the applicators to coat all 4 wheels all over.

Gtechniq Ceramic Coating Products - Smart Surface Science

www.gtechniq.co.uk

Thanks ill let you know

 

[Pag]

avoid diamond cut features - moisture gets under the lacquer and they look rubbish in no time.

Yes my thoughts are the same but are aftermarket sliver or gunmetal, black wheels any better.

 

[Skyliner33]

avoid diamond cut features - moisture gets under the lacquer and they look rubbish in no time.

I have had diamond cut on 2 Audi's and a Golf. None of them showed any signs of the moisture problem over the 3 years I kept each car. All the wheels were OEM.

 

[Paynewright]

I have had diamond cut on 2 Audi's and a Golf. None of them showed any signs of the moisture problem over the 3 years I kept each car. All the wheels were OEM.

key point - OEM. Also, I bet they haven't seen any harsh chemicals.

Its a fair point / observation - diamond cut wheels would put me off buying a car / aftermarket wheels. I'd only buy if I'd budgeted a quality re-powdercoat to eliminate the diamond cut feature.

 

[Skyliner33]

key point - OEM. Also, I bet they haven't seen any harsh chemicals.

Its a fair point / observation - diamond cut wheels would put me off buying a car / aftermarket wheels. I'd only buy if I'd budgeted a quality re-powdercoat to eliminate the diamond cut feature.

Yes I agree on the point about OEM. I wouldnt entertain aftermarket diamond cut. Also I believe that using acidic wheel cleaners is one of the main reasons diamond cut alloys suffer, so correct, no harsh chemicals.

 

[Ricardo T]

As far as I'm aware diamond cut wheels can only be refurbished/diamond cut, a couple of times depending on damage, whereas with 'painted' wheels there is no limit to the number of times they can be refurbished, again dependent on damage. Diamond cut wheels can also be painted though. More expensive to 'diamond cut' a diamond cut wheel than to refurb a painted wheel. Does that make sense? I'm no wheel expert though lol.

 

[Big.mac]

I’d say mine are OEM quality

 

[Ricardo T]

I’d say mine are OEM quality
View attachment 111403

Nice van....what makes it a 'Mountain Edition'?

 

[Big.mac]

Nice van....what makes it a 'Mountain Edition'?

I get asked that fairly often. I had the decals made, so the Mountain Edition is a unique one off . I live by the beach but the mountains are my happy place so it seemed appropriate.

 

[VanDamMan]

Hi All ...
As mentioned above Gtechniq wheel armour is great...I’m in the process of fitting new wheels ..so prior to fitting the new tyres treated the wheels and then applied Gtechniq C2 ( applied 3 layers ) over the Wheel armour ...really nice feel and finish...but BEWARE the finish is so good the balance weights have trouble sticking...we’ve had to scotchbrit the area to enable then to stick my old wheels have a cut surface and after nearly 3 yrs are great...if you treat the wheels as you do the van paintwork there be fine

Old..Sportline Oem Bicolour.... New ...same as old but plain Silver ... As an Oem wheel they look nice on a T6

 

[Pag]

I think we all know that OEM cut face wheels are better then the aftermarket.

And it seems that painted aftermarket are better then diamond cut of the same wheel.

But I may look into that C5 to protect the wheels, I don't use harsh cemical wheel cleaner and my car/van get washed every weekend mostly.

 

[Pag]

Is that on aftermarket wheels ? And what make, I've seen a few sets of Woolrace alloys up for sale with paint fade and lacquer peel.

Is this an issue with lower budget wheels or all budget aftermarket options.

 

[Stay Frosty]

Diamond cut face wheels here as I like the look, regarding white worm and kerbing these are both going to happen but then so will coastal erosion, house price rises and the threat of unemployment... I have a fairly comprehensive list of world problems that we're powerless to solve as a PDF available for download.
For those in the position of pulling the trigger on some new wheels and tyres please note that as soon as you've actually got them the same supplier will announce a "staggered" option is now available as are 15 different powder coat colours and those tyres you really wanted are now made in a 103 rating.

 

[Texxaco]

As far as I'm aware diamond cut wheels can only be refurbished/diamond cut, a couple of times depending on damage, whereas with 'painted' wheels there is no limit to the number of times they can be refurbished, again dependent on damage. Diamond cut wheels can also be painted though. More expensive to 'diamond cut' a diamond cut wheel than to refurb a painted wheel. Does that make sense? I'm no wheel expert though lol.

I went for a quote today as my diamond cut alloys need some TLC. The diamond cut is very expensive compared to spray and clear coat.
Much easier to maintain/fix when kerbed too.

£102 per wheel though

 

[Texxaco]

I went for a quote today as my diamond cut alloys need some TLC. The diamond cut is very expensive compared to spray and clear coat.
Much easier to maintain/fix when kerbed too.

£102 per wheel though

I know @JOG and that from an old mate. Thinking it may be cheaper buying a new set and sticking winter tires on this set.

 

[JOG]

Get yourself a winter set anyway….and explain the importance to senior management! Good luck with that one!!!

 

[Skyliner33]

I was in a local wheelbase shop recently and was discussing this. He showed me 2 examples of diamond cut wheels. The 'cheaper' one has a very thin coating of lacquer and consequently the edge between the diamond cut surface and painted, felt very angular. The more expensive wheel had a clear powder coat iirc. You could see it was thicker and the edge between the diamond cut and painted surfaces felt much rounder less angular. I was surprised how much difference there was. He told me the cheaper ones would suffer but the more expensive ones very unlikely to.