2015 Audi S3 Alloys

[PhantomPH]

I've just washed my S3 and I've noticed that the front alloys look bloody awful. At a distance it looks like I've curbed them (I've not), but close up it's like rust under the lacquer around the lip and into the dark grey of the wheels themselves.

The car is only 5mths old and I am still using the AutoGlym products. No scuffs or curbs either. Has anyone else noticed their alloys reacting to 'something' in this way?

Mine are the 19" titanium grey ones. I will phone the dealer on Monday, but I wanted to see if others had had the same experience before they try and blame me.

[PhantomPH]

Ignore the water marks - I've just given them a good wash to make sure it's not road grime. You can see from the first, the fact that the brown reaction goes into the dark grey as well.

[LocoBlade]

Certainly shouldn't be doing that at 5 months old, but I'm not surprised it happens to that type of wheel. When a friend had a set of BMW wheels with diamond cut fronts refurbed at Lepsons, they wouldn't warrant the finish for as long as they would on regular painted alloys because lacquer evidently doesn't stick as well to bare alloy as it does to a painted basecoat so is more likely to lift.

[Chippo1]

No brainier back to Dowdi and get them to sort it out , new wheels , but I bet they say it's environmental and tough luck.

Good luck!

[whp1983]

Not had that, had mine 14 months now with 12k miles. I do get stubborn brake dust build up on fronts, I've bought a wax to try and protect but the diamond cut finish has been fine. It's only hand washed though never the side of the road jobs with their vicious chemicals!

[Driver101]

Have you tried a fallout remover such as Iron X?

Maybe also a non acidic wheel cleaner.

[whp1983]

Not had that, had mine 14 months now with 12k miles. I do get stubborn brake dust build up on fronts, I've bought a wax to try and protect but the diamond cut finish has been fine. It's only hand washed though never the side of the road jobs with their vicious chemicals!

[Spooge]

Got the same wheels, about 8 months old and 4000 miles in, they still look like new, no rust spots. If you can't get that off I'd be going back to Audi.

[PhantomPH]

I've only ever used the AutoGlym stuff that was actually supplied with the car, so no additional harshness of different chemicals or cleaning products.

It's completely smooth to the touch - no pit feeling or roughness so it's definitely under the lacquer.

I will be taking it back to Audi today. Will let you know the outcome.

[ZX10R NIN]

whp1983 said:

Not had that, had mine 14 months now with 12k miles. I do get stubborn brake dust build up on fronts, I've bought a wax to try and protect but the diamond cut finish has been fine. It's only hand washed though never the side of the road jobs with their vicious chemicals!

I use the wax it is good also I found using Brembo Pads cut down on brake dust.

[rampantdidact]

My diamond cut alloys always look like that before I wash them.

Like others are saying, if it ain't coming off try a fallout remover.

[PhantomPH]

Well, those pictures were post-wash, so they had been given a damn good clean when those pictures were taken.

Last night I went out with a slightly different cloth (not abrasive - think more of a rough towel that you would get in a cheap hotel) and of all things, some Fairy Liquid. I started at the alloys quite carefully and worked the polished lip in a concentrated area and was able to clear some of the marks! It took a while to do, but the result was there to see.

So whatever is on my wheels is actually on my wheels, which is good news. I will clean them properly tonight using the same technique all the way round.

Christ knows what I have managed to get on there, but it's not on the bodywork anywhere (which I would expect it to be if I'd driven through something). One of those strange things, I guess.

[Driver101]

You do need to get a non acidic wheel cleaner and a fallout remover.

I take it you aren't putting any protection on the wheels?

Diamond cut wheels are difficult to maintain without corrosion. You need to get them cleaned and sealed before it's too late.

[PositronicRay]

Washing up liquid has a lot of salt in it, not recommended. Make sure you wash any off thoroughly.

[BeastMode]

A strong non-acidic spray, following instructions properly (therefore reading and understanding them!) would have got that out.

I use Dragons Breth.

Have you noticed the right driver side wheel is the most dirty and the rear left passenger is the most clean?

[PhantomPH]

BeastMode said:

Have you noticed the right driver side wheel is the most dirty and the rear left passenger is the most clean?

Should I have?