For those with the Vega alloys, have you had any issues with the anthracite paint bubbling/blistering and/or the white worm/lacquer peeling on the diamond cut areas? 

 

I was cleaning the car yesterday and noticed at least one area of paint bubbling on every wheel and in one case it was so bad the has actually started to lift.  The lacquer on the diamond cut areas is starting to look 'tired' and white worm is appearing.   I'm going to drop into the dealer today and ask them to inspect. 

 

The wheels are only ever cleaned with Bilt Hamber autowheel and then finished with a QD spray so I'm quite confident it's not being caused by any products I"m using.  I've used the same for years on previous cars, with no issues; as do plenty of other people.   There's no kerbing or damage to any of the wheels which could have affected the integrity of lacquer or similar, this very much seems like a manufacturing defect. 

 

I get the feeling that within 6 months the whole set are going to look a bag of poo. 

 

 

 

No but I had a Scout before the Superb that had diamond cut alloys that was renowned for it. I've never seen a Scout that didnt have loads of peeling / white worm / corrosion on the alloys ... Apart from mine strangely ! I know at the time that the dealers were replacing full sets. I think one guy even had 2 full sets in 3 years !

 

Put me off diamond cut although they do look good.

Its  known problem on any diamond cut wheel. They look great when brand new but few salty road and bad weather will result in white worm.

 

I had a set of 19" bmw M performance alloys that were brand new and replaced under warranty within 6 months, white worm had started the spread from centre caps outwards.

 

Either used winter alloys as they are always non diamond turned and fully painted / powder coated

2 minutes ago, k7aus said:

Its  known problem on any diamond cut wheel. They look great when brand new but few salty road and bad weather will result in white worm.

 

I had a set of 19" bmw M performance alloys that were brand new and replaced under warranty within 6 months, white worm had started the spread from centre caps outwards.

 

Either used winter alloys as they are always non diamond turned and fully painted / powder coated

My old man had an E46 M3 for several years and the alloys on that were awful.  Not to mention the design of the wheel meant that the 'spokes' protruded more than the tyre sidewall, so could easily get scuffed up. 

 

If I can't get some sorted under warranty then a black powder coating will be on the cards, for sure. 

Edited 18 March, 20197 yr by penguin17

1 minute ago, penguin17 said:

My old man had an E46 M3 for several years and the alloys on that were awful.  Not to mention the design of the wheel meant that the 'spokes' protruded more than the tyre sidewall, so could easily get scuffed up. 

 

If I can't get some sorted under warranty then a black powder coating will be on the cards, for sure. 

Sorry to hear about this @penguin17. That's my only bugbear with diamond cut wheels. My mark 7 Golf gti was showing signs of whiteworm and there was zero damage near any of it. I used non acidic cleaner from day one. A right nuisance! And I used seperate winter wheels to make it even more annoying!

 

I see you've spotted the silver lining in that you can go for a lovely refurb! Obviously not a cost you want to incur, but a good excuse to go "full primer effect" 

 

 

2 minutes ago, boydeee said:

Sorry to hear about this @penguin17. That's my only bugbear with diamond cut wheels. My mark 7 Golf gti was showing signs of whiteworm and there was zero damage near any of it. I used non acidic cleaner from day one. A right nuisance! And I used seperate winter wheels to make it even more annoying!

 

I see you've spotted the silver lining in that you can go for a lovely refurb! Obviously not a cost you want to incur, but a good excuse to go "full primer effect" 

 

 

Maybe my car used it's full quota of primer on the body work and there was none left over to properly prep the wheels for paining? 

If you after a quick and cheap alternative try Plastidip, it gives a matt finish and is so easy and completely reversible, as it just peels off. 2 cans (@ £10 each) will do 4 wheels) and comes in lots of colours. (Its not to everyones taste, but is a cheap way of giving your wheels "some" protection)

 

If you after a refurbishment they ive used Pristine Alloy wheels in Milton Keynes in the past. Quite expensive but very good services and very professional. and i has 2 sets done by them. In fact im sending 2 wheels to them this week

 

 

 

Edited 18 March, 20197 yr by k7aus

'Plasti dip' does not need to be matt.  You just use Plasti dip Glossifier.

I did a good few Gigaro Dark Chrome wheels & others after Skoda UK replaced under warranty to then give more protection from 'white worm'.

I even used Glossifier on without colouring the wheels. 

I have diamond cut alloys on my current car. Its 15 months old and they are perfect. What on earth is `White Worm`?

Pics?

Search or google briskoda white worm  or briskoda dark chrome gigaro warranty

 

Corrosion under the coating / lacquer of Diamond cut surfaces. Famous on VW Group wheels.

From the wheel centre bore, the wheel stud seating or if the surface is knocked.

Even brand new replacement wheels can get it.

 

If you do not have the issue, then good.

It has been an issue with various Skoda wheels for over a decade, same with Wheel Badges and car badges.

Edited 18 March, 20197 yr by Skoffski

Here is a New Alloy that Skoda gave as a replacement under warranty.

They would not let me give the 2 wheels they were replacing in and just give me the new wheels, they wanted the car to change the tyres and wheels.

So i gave them the car and a pair of tyres, and this is what they did to the new wheels.

See how the fitter marked the new alloys, that then they went the way of the wheels that were replaced.

I had them replace them, even though i was going to paint the new ones, just so that they might learn.

 

This is a new Dark Chrome Gigaro done with Plasti Dip & Glossifier.

Edited 18 March, 20197 yr by Skoffski

8 hours ago, penguin17 said:

For those with the Vega alloys, have you had any issues with the anthracite paint bubbling/blistering and/or the white worm/lacquer peeling on the diamond cut areas?

 

Two plus years and 15,000 miles on my Vegas (which double as curb feelers) and no signs of any problems, even where I've scuffed them. Must be one of the benefits of living down here in the Beautiful South. 

2 hours ago, freelunch said:

 

Two plus years and 15,000 miles on my Vegas (which double as curb feelers) and no signs of any problems, even where I've scuffed them. Must be one of the benefits of living down here in the Beautiful South. 

Lucky man! I spent around 6 months down in Gloucestershire a few years ago and couldn't believe how great all the cars looked. It's all that lovely sunshine you lot get! We just get salted roads 6 months of the year 

 

With regards to diamond cut wheels, it is certainly not manufacturer specific to VAG etc, my mates year old BMW is showing corrosion and he is fastidious with his cleaning. Same goes for a Volvo and a Kia owner I know. 

I have my car for more than one month. No white worms on my Vega alloys for now. I will be monitoring that very closely.

Nothing on my 17 month old Vegas, but I don’t expect them to stay perfect. 

My nearly 3 year old sportline is OK for now. Bought used end of last year so might have been touched up or replaced. 

 

I think I might have to start putting some protection on it just in case. Living in London might help with minimal salting of roads. 

Can't help with the current problem, sorry Penguin - I've had no issues with my anthracite Pegasus wheels at almost 2 years old. But I too live in the beautiful south where the sun always shines and the wind never blows (yeah right). I hope you get it sorted under warranty. 

 

Once you do, it might be worth thinking about a protective layer. Obviously a wheels-off ceramic coat would be the safest way to go, but a decent self-applied alternative IMHO is Auto Finesse Mint Rims. It's a bit of a mission to do, even though it goes on easily and buffs off just as easily, since they recommend two or three layers and you need to wait three hours between applications while it cures. But it's given me at least three months' protection each time I've done it, even through the worst of the winter salt. No white worm and very easy brake dust removal at the fortnightly wash - just a once-over with a soft wheel brush and dry with an old microfibre. No special wheel wash product or QD finish applied in my case. Where I've kerbed them  I cleaned and re-applied the Mint Rims - no subsequent worsening of the damage to report.

 

 

Maybe I got given duff info here but I asked Skoda directly via live chat whether the Vegas were diamond cut and they told me they were not. Is that wrong?

They will be right, no diamond cutting stones required to face the alloys. Just cutting tools.

23 hours ago, BriskodaJeff said:

Can't help with the current problem, sorry Penguin - I've had no issues with my anthracite Pegasus wheels at almost 2 years old. But I too live in the beautiful south where the sun always shines and the wind never blows (yeah right). I hope you get it sorted under warranty. 

 

Once you do, it might be worth thinking about a protective layer. Obviously a wheels-off ceramic coat would be the safest way to go, but a decent self-applied alternative IMHO is Auto Finesse Mint Rims. It's a bit of a mission to do, even though it goes on easily and buffs off just as easily, since they recommend two or three layers and you need to wait three hours between applications while it cures. But it's given me at least three months' protection each time I've done it, even through the worst of the winter salt. No white worm and very easy brake dust removal at the fortnightly wash - just a once-over with a soft wheel brush and dry with an old microfibre. No special wheel wash product or QD finish applied in my case. Where I've kerbed them  I cleaned and re-applied the Mint Rims - no subsequent worsening of the damage to report.

 

 

Thanks @BriskodaJeff, I absolutely agree on the wheel sealant,  I used this Chemical Guys product when the car was new and 'top up' regularly as well as the (almost) quarterly application of Bilt Hamber fall out remover and scrub with a citrus based APC, all of which are safe enough to use on the wheels and body of the car.  

https://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/chemical-guys-wheel-guard