Lacquer coming off M6 wheels

[Exige77]

My M6 is now 2.5 years old and clocked up 17K miles.

I've noticed the lacquer on the wheels is starting to come off in patches and its easily to scratch the lacquer with my thumb nail.

Is this normal ? or should I be going back to the dealer for a word ?

[HoHoHo]

My guess would be tiny stone chips which are then allowing cleaning materials/water et al to detach the lacquer from the wheel.

Worth mentioning to your dealer but I suspect you'll get told sorry, it's out of their control. They are very likely to inspect under a glass or similar (type of glass used in printing for example) to identify the chips.

[Slippydiff]

HoHoHo said:

My guess would be tiny stone chips which are then allowing cleaning materials/water et al to detach the lacquer from the wheel.

Worth mentioning to your dealer but I suspect you'll get told sorry, it's out of their control. They are very likely to inspect under a glass or similar (type of glass used in printing for example) to identify the chips.

Failing that (or more likely) they've had a cheap and nasty smart repairs (unless you've had the car from new and know otherwise)

[MrC986]

If your wheels are factory diamond cut, it's not an unusual occurrence according to a friend who refinishes wheels for a living. The diamond cut finishes arent generally that durable and if you have used a "wheel cleaner" and you've got any chipping in the finish, it can attack the poor finish. Wheel cleaner can also nestle behind the centre badges if not properly washed off and chomp away at the finish on some cars.

[Exige77]

it quite pronounced around the centre caps.

That could be the cause

[HoHoHo]

Exige77 said:

it quite pronounced around the centre caps.

That could be the cause

From experience I've had numerous X5 wheels changed under warranty for corrosion around the centre cap

[Exige77]

HoHoHo said:

From experience I've had numerous X5 wheels changed under warranty for corrosion around the centre cap

Thanks

[MDifficult]

Exige77 said:

My M6 is now 2.5 years old and clocked up 17K miles.

I've noticed the lacquer on the wheels is starting to come off in patches and its easily to scratch the lacquer with my thumb nail.

Is this normal ? or should I be going back to the dealer for a word ?

Sadly, it's normal (for BMW at least). As a previous poster says, stones chip the lacquer that then allows in water and chemicals which lift the lacquer further and leaves that white, milky 'wheel cancer' that's really prevalent either around the rim or around the centre-caps and wheel nuts.

Definitely try the dealer. If you have to get them re-done yourself make sure you go somewhere well known for doing BMW wheels really well. They'll want to minimise the material lost during the diamond cutting process (so you have the option to re-cut them multiple times over the years) and putting multiple coats of lacquer to minimise the chance of stone-chippery. But, in the long-term prepare yourself for grotty wheels or expensive re-finishes every few years.

[Stever]

Does anyone have any experience of Mondial covering this or is it a wriggle-out under "cosmetic"

My M6 is a little older but around the wheel centres its starting to look scabby even though the rest of the wheels are in great condition

[Cheib]

Had a similar thing on a Golf GTi...got the wheels refurbed as car way out of warranty. Bloke at wheel refurbished place said to avoid hand car washes as a lot of them use very strong chemicals that are meant for washing lorries down.

[w8pmc]

I had all 4 wheels replaced on my 28mth old F10 M5 due to peeling lacquer & some weird looking cream gunk & discolouration eminating from the centre caps. No quibble from the dealer as car was bought new & no wheel had been new a refurb.

[Mikearwas]

It is sadly common on all diamond cut wheels. My C63 is starting to do the same.