OEM aluminum wheels

[1tuffram]

OK guys I need some advise and opinions. I've had my new truck not even 48hrs yet and have noticed the aluminum wheels are all scuffed. I suspect the bozo who prepped my truck at the dealer used a wash mit full of grime. Can the scuffs/scratches be buffed out with something?? I thought I heard the OEM wheels are clear coated, and using an aluminum polishing type compound would remove the protective clear coating. Is it safe to use an aluminum wheel cleaner or polish product???

I am so upset at the moment I'm tempted to call the dealer and tell them I want 4 new wheels.

 

[Bob Wagner]

Go chew some A##

If the clearcoat is scuffed the wheels will be tough to keep clean.



We just had this discussion on the BOMBers board,

 

[24V-DSL]

What Bob says....

Go back to the dealer. Nothing less than new wheels, or it'll bug you forever..... do it now.

 

[1tuffram]

Well I had to call the dealer to clear-up some bugs with the financing. So I mentioned it to the lady who sold me the truck. I was nice and did not present it in an angry way. She said that I would need to take it up with the service manager, because until they actully see it there is nothing they can do. This is an acceptable answer, but the tone of her voice was kind of like "oh give me a break". I think I will call the service manger. If his solution is to bring it in so they can polish out the scuff marks what should I do?? The highway dept puts that salt crap on the roads here. Should I refuse to have them polish the wheels since it will damage the clear coat and eventually lead to the wheels being destroyed by the road salt?? How long would it take for road salt damage to appear (probably after the warranty) ??? I know they look OK now, but what about after a few winters of salted roads??



I might call some wheel shops around here to see what they have to say about the road salt issue.



Keep the sugguestions coming guys, I have a feeling if the proper way to make this right is replacing all the wheels there is going to be a whole lot of :-{} and #@$%! going on in that service dept!! I just want to know if polishing the wheels will cause more damage in the long run and if the only "fix" is replacement before I go storming in there half-cocked.

 

[Bob Wagner]

polishing an aluminum wheel without clearcoat is a major pain in the rear to say the least



Been there done it , major work to keep the wheels looking good.



Get em to fix it or live with the problem



Remember they queered the deal not you

 

[AlK]

I would go back to the dealer and insist on new wheels - you paid for new wheels. Talk to the Salesman and the Sales Manager they sold you the vehicle and tell them that the wheels are not in new condition. Aluminum without any protective coating will not stand up very well. Brake dust, salt and grime will make your wheels look pretty bad in a very short time. Why accept second rate or damaged goods when the dealer will insist on you paying with first class DOLLARS?

 

[1tuffram]

any more opinions before I call the service dept tomorrow?

 

[Roger rodbolt]

No clearcoat on mine

Originally posted by 1tuffram

any more opinions before I call the service dept tomorrow?

1turffram,



I just purchased a set of 2001 factory aluminum wheels on the TDR classified and they are not clearcoated. The member kept them polished nicely and I may have them powdercoated before installation. I had a set of warrentied Alcoa alloy wheels, clearcoated and they are holding up nicely, but do not have as nice of shine as a well polished unprotected alloy wheels. I assume that you have a 2002 which may be different??

 

[Okie-Go]

Maybe you could just have them put wheels on yours from a truck on the lot. The swap wouldn't take long and be sure and tell them not to wash these.

 

[Bob Wagner]

just a flash in the past

stick it to the man, or bite your tongue later :{

 

[The patriot]

I would want the wheels, but then again I'm really anal about my truck.

Eric

 

[Chipstien]

Insist on new wheels

or you will regret it later.

 

[mediccummin]

wheels

I had one bad wheel after I got my truck back from my dealers body shop. The truck spent the first week I owned it there because of the dents that they put in it preping it for me. It appeared they spilled something that took the clear coat off the wheel. The service dept told me they have a special polish that would clear that right up ( ya my A$$), but the catch was it would take 2 weeks to order it. So after 2 wks I took it back they attempted to polish what could'nt be fixed. I insisted on a new wheel, so what did they do took my bad wheel off rolled it up next to a new truck on the lot and swapped them out putting this crappy one on another new truck. Makes ya wonder how long this bad wheel been getting passed around until hopefully no one complains about it. (Crown Dodge Ventura CA. sucks )... ... ... . :--)

 

[Joel Richards]

Get them to put new wheels on. Same thing happened to me in December. I got new ones after not too much of a fight. I just told them to show me where my paperwork said "One new truck, wheels slightly used" - they didn't have too much of a leg to stand on.



HTH,

Joel

 

[Bob Wagner]

TTT

So what happened

 

[1tuffram]

Well the night before I was going to call my dealer I made a late night trip to another dealer to look at the wheels on other trucks. What I found when shining my flashlight on another trucks's wheels (only had one truck to look at) was it has the same exact fine scratch marks / swirl marks. I'm now guessing it is something from the manufacturing process??? I only had one truck to look at for comparison so not 100% sure on this. If you guys with fairly new OEM aluminum wheels could please look at your wheels and see if you have the same very fine scratches and post I would appreciate it. They are best seen at night when shining a flashlight up very close at just the right angle. You can also look in daylight, but I found the flashlight method really makes the scratch marks standout.



Right now my attention has focused on getting the rear wheel liners and splash guards, relocating the blow-by bottle, etc on the truck so I can finally start driving it. It has been very frustrating, between my work schedule and Murphy's Law shining in true form everytime I try and install something... . nothing has got installed yet and I want to get the mud flaps on before I start driving the truck to it does not get peppered with rock chips. Oh well only a few more days of work then I have some time off, hopefully the UPS will deliver my wheel liners before then. Had to send the first set back to Mopar4less because when I went to install them I noticed they where all scratced, gouged, and looked like somebody used a sander on them (you can see sanding swirl marks all over the flat surfaces, but only on the front side. The back side had none ). Mopar4less said they would order new ones and ship them out when they came in, that was 8 days ago. UPS came and picked up the first set last week and here I am still waiting for the replacments. The rear splash guards can't go on until the liners are installed, so here I sit waiting Oh yea, Amsoil has managed to send me 2 damaged dual bypass units (nicks/gouges where the filter gaskets seal) so far. Maybe the 3rd one will pass my inspection I talked to the warranty dept and was told they will ship a new unit after they get the 2nd one back. Well I talked to them Friday morning and UPS still has not arrived to deliver the 2nd damaged unit back to Amsoil. Oh what a PITA this is turning into I'm sure I will be feeling better once the wheels liners and splash guards are on so I can finally start driving and enjoying my new baby

 

[Bob Wagner]

thanks for the update

Keepin my fingers crossed for ya



It will all come together