HP Wheels-- Cosmetic Problem

[mldonovan82]

100% what I was thinking. Thank you!!

It sucks you’re dealing with this on a new vehicle, but I’d request they replace all 4 wheels and keep it rolling!

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[Soulja4187]

100% what I was thinking. Thank you!!

What dealer did you buy the car from? I hope not pompano ford they suck!

do you go to any car meets or shows?

 

[DLOH]

What dealer did you buy the car from? I hope not pompano ford they suck!

do you go to any car meets or shows?

Brandon Ford in Tampa. 3.5 hour trip back to Pembroke Pines. Every once in a while on the car shows but not recently. Have any good ones in mind? Nice looking car BTW.

 

[mldonovan82]

Did you clean the wheels at all before noticing this?

 

[Soulja4187]

Brandon Ford in Tampa. 3.5 hour trip back to Pembroke Pines. Every once in a while on the car shows but not recently. Have any good ones in mind? Nice looking car BTW.

If you have Instagram add CanIBeFrank he post about meets and the overnight races, LOL. US27 is where it happens. He also has a youtube page with the same name.

 

[br_an]

Beautiful wheels, it sucks to see them like that. Hope the warranty replacement process is easy for you!

 

[DLOH]

Did you clean the wheels at all before noticing this?

Woke up the day after picking it up, pulled it out of the garage, sprayed water on the rim and noticed something was wrong immediately. Water only. Then tried soap and water but would not clean off.

 

[DLOH]

If you have Instagram add CanIBeFrank he post about meets and the overnight races, LOL. US27 is where it happens. He also has a youtube page with the same name.

US 27. Yep, Very Familiar with all. 5 mins away from my house. Been going out there for 30 years.

 

[WD Pro]

Does the wheel surface feel rough or smooth? It sort of looks like a chemical has been left to dry and etched into the finish.

My thoughts exactly.

I will go one further and put my money on it being an acid based wheel cleaner and it might just be stained, rather than etched.

Try a little hydrochloric acid (brick cleaner) on a soft microfibre (wear a glove !) on a small part of that stain. I reckon it will wipe straight off. Rinse really well afterwards. Only try on the bottom bit of the wheel i.e. below the disk and calliper and don’t splash it around.

Don’t panic too much at the mention of hydrochloric acid - it’s the active ingredient in some old school alloy wheel cleaners .

WD

 

[DLOH]

My thoughts exactly.

I will go one further and put my money on it being an acid based wheel cleaner and it might just be stained, rather than etched.

Try a little hydrochloric acid (brick cleaner) on a soft microfibre (wear a glove !) on a small part of that stain. I reckon it will wipe straight off. Rinse really well afterwards. Only try on the bottom bit of the wheel i.e. below the disk and calliper and don’t splash it around.

Don’t panic too much at the mention of hydrochloric acid - it’s the active ingredient in some old school alloy wheel cleaners .

WD
[/QUOTE
Do you think a dealer would use this type of wheel cleaner? The crazy thing is that I did not see it when I picked the car up, when I got home or even before I sprayed the car with water. But as soon as I sprayed the car with water it never went away. I will give the hydrochloric acid a try when I get back into town. Thank you.

 

[WD Pro]

It’s not unheard off, I know mine did …

I’m also basing my theory on what looks to be a similar staining on parts of the brake disk bell and calliper, along with what looks to be the start of corrosion on the bleed nipple (apologies if I am wrong on those observations - the image quality isn’t great in those areas and I am only viewing on my mobile).

If that is similar staining on those parts then it would suggest that’s not just a faulty finish on the wheel - not unless it’s contagious which I think would be a first … lol.

Hope you get it sorted and please keep us informed on how this progresses

WD

 

[cerbomark]

I doubt the dealer would use that type of wheel cleaner. I m looking at the center caps and see no such stain so I m suspect of that being the cause. It s really the dealers problem.
I have seen lots of center caps ruined by acid based wheel cleaners.

 

[cerbomark]

If the dealer used it in the sun or when the wheel was hot and didn't rinse right away that also could be a cause as WD PRO stated. I just don t see the need for a new car dealer to be using that stuff.

 

[WD Pro]

I doubt the dealer would use that type of wheel cleaner. I m looking at the center caps and see no such stain so I m suspect of that being the cause. It s really the dealers problem.
I have seen lots of center caps ruined by acid based wheel cleaners.

I agree 100% that it’s the dealerships issue, but a 250 mile drive doesn’t help for a quick resolution

The centre caps take a while to suffer, the cleaner needs to eat under the edges of the laminated finish - they go after prolonged usage.

They are also the least sprayed area of a wheel, particularly on something that’s ‘new’ and not really badly contaminated - I’ve cleaned my wheels a few times now (with iron remover style products) and not had the need to concentrate on the centre cap.

If the dealer used it in the sun or when the wheel was hot and didn't rinse right away that also could be a cause as WD PRO stated. I just don t see the need for a new car dealer to be using that stuff.

I agree 100%, but it doesn’t seem to stop them …

My dealer was instructed not to use anything that required them touching the car. Their detailer complied with that request, but it didn’t stop him spraying (and letting dry) a acidic cleaner on my wheels :

I’ve seen other cars at the same dealership with the same issues …

Doing the little test I suggested could help to prove one way or another what the issue is and depending on how the OP wants to tackle the issue (i.e. fix himself or approach the dealer), it could give him a stronger case if he chooses to go back to the dealer

WD

 

[cerbomark]

as far as the 250 mile dealer drive that s a tough one. The closest dealer can order the wheels under warranty but my first concern would be that a Ford dealer accepts responsibility and dosen t try to blame you for mis cleaning and causing the damage. I think time will important and hopefully you have some good dated pictures. A wheel swap is no big deal. You just need to get a dealer to commit to you. I d also ask the selling dealer if maybe they couldn't t move the warranty process to a closer dealer to get your wheel. Heres when customer service will show it s true self.

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