Peeling wheels...WTF?

[g8r4runner]

I've owned my 06 LTD for just about a month now, today i notice the driver rear wheel has one spoke that has about half the finish peeling off. After inspecting the others, two of them have small spots of peeling. What causes this, were wheels re-coated and not done well, how can I fix, other than buying new wheels???

Thanks!

And no, they definitely were NOT like that when I bought it.

 

[chaz]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/detailing/69786-my-rim-renewal-project.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/66142-painted-wheels-today.html http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/52200-blacking-out-fj-wheels-lots-pics.html these may help.

 

[g8r4runner]

I appreciate the links. However I'm looking for some possible causes for my wheels to start peeling a month after I buy the vehicle. Perhaps the dealer had them re-coated, if so, maybe make them pay for re-spray??

 

[Bossman]

As many on this site have reported, this is (unfortunately) not an uncommon problem with the early 4th GEN Limited wheels.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/67680-disappointed-4runner-rims.html

I too have this problem with the wheels on my T4R. Explanations will range from the environmental effects of winter road salt or living on the coast to the use of harsh chemicals or tire cleaning products.

Imho, the factory clear coat finish on these wheels has not been well done and allows for delamination of the finish, and then corrosion.

You can certainly bring your concern to your Toyota dealer (the more we complain, the more they hear the message).

Once the delamination/corrosion sets in, there is not much you can do. I have opted to replace my corroded wheels with a new (to me) set in much better condition. I have thoroughly cleaned them in and out and applied coats of wax for added protection. I also opted for no wheel weights on the face of the rims. My other option would have been powdercoating.

 

[Jed]

Possible cause: harsh wheel cleaning products can cause that kind of damage. Not just the stuff you buy in a can....sometimes commercial car washes use a solution that isn't friendly to clearcoated wheels.

I only use regular soap and water on my wheels for that very reason.

 

[Pilotmatt]

Next time you're in any parking lot, up north with salt, Colorado where they rock the roads, where chemicals etc are heavily used, from all makes of life...you will see so many older Toyotas and all other makes with shinny finished wheels. Find a 4th gen T4R, (not sure if this is most common with the 5 spoke 17s, but thats what mine are) and you are more than likely to notice the flaking wheels. Its not roads, not chemicals, not that T4R owners have agreed to be the only group of people who figure out a way to make 4th Gen wheels flake. The factory finish sucks.

 

[audiqtr]

your car is only a month old to you, but overall 4 years old. Effects of weather and road conditions prolly took a toll on your wheels. That said, Stealerships and Detailers use so many different cover up methods to cover imperfections with shiny products and use incorrect and over abrasive methods to attempt correcting paint and surfaces faster. These chitty products wear off after a car wash or two, or in your case, a month, and reveal the real condition of the surface under.

Chaz's links will guide you to succes in fixing your wheels. If you don't do it yourself, It will cost you plenty of pennies.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I think it's a factory finishing issue with 4th gen rims as my 3rd gen Limited wheels have seen 160k miles over 12+ years on the road and the only blemishes are from wheel weights and a couple of dings from off road ventures. The finish itself is still in great shape even with the sand and mag chloride used on our roads.

 

[Scoobs]

My 2007 Limited wheels have the same problem. I bought my 4R used in 2009 and they were already peeling/flaking then.

On the other hand I had my 2004 SE 4R for 4 years and the wheels were pristine when I got rid of it.

I'm going to wait a couple more years and then get the LTD wheels redone.

I have a set of FJ wheels that I run in the winter. The FJ wheels were redone and look brand new.

 

[JAC]

I have an 2004 SR5 . Is this something that just have to do with the Limited wheels?....Mines are like new....some light scratches here and there but no peeling at all.

 

[Jed]

Next time you're in any parking lot, up north with salt, Colorado where they rock the roads, where chemicals etc are heavily used, from all makes of life...you will see so many older Toyotas and all other makes with shinny finished wheels. Find a 4th gen T4R, (not sure if this is most common with the 5 spoke 17s, but thats what mine are) and you are more than likely to notice the flaking wheels. Its not roads, not chemicals, not that T4R owners have agreed to be the only group of people who figure out a way to make 4th Gen wheels flake. The factory finish sucks.

I live in NY where the roads are heavily salted (rock salt and calcium chloride spray) during the winter and the finish on my wheels is perfect. That's why I don't think it's the salt that does the damage. Ever since I've been using regular soap & water to wash my wheels, the finish seems to stay just fine despite driving through tons of road salt.

 

[XJeepguy]

Tire shops who smash those lead wheel weights on and rupture the clear coat , can then allow moisture contamination under the clear coating. Is it starting around the edge ? That is what caused my wheels on an older Z71 Chevie to do that . ALWAYS ask the shop to balance your wheels with stick on weights applied on the INSIDE of the wheel .I spent 30 years in the tire business and can't tell you how many wheels I've seen where you pull off the old weights and the clear is cracked or damaged under the weight.

 

[Jed]

The FJ wheels were redone and look brand new.

When you say "redone", do you mean professionally refinished by a company that refinishes factory wheels?

A lot of those companies are now using clear powdercoat as the final finish, even on machined wheels. They claim that the powdercoat is much stronger and durable than the OEM finish and that the finish will not crack/peel/discolor. Some companies even include a free lifetime warranty against cracking/peeling/discoloration.

 

[Jed]

Tire shops who smash those lead wheel weights on and rupture the clear coat , can then allow moisture contamination under the clear coating. Is it starting around the edge ? That is what caused my wheels on an older Z71 Chevie to do that . ALWAYS ask the shop to balance your wheels with stick on weights applied on the INSIDE of the wheel .I spent 30 years in the tire business and can't tell you how many wheels I've seen where you pull off the old weights and the clear is cracked or damaged under the weight.

That's very true....but unfortunately, even the original wheels weights that were installed when the vehicle was built will often have damaged clearcoat under them. I've seen that happen a lot on wheels when the original weights are removed carefully. That's why I like factory wheels that don't have a lip on them for metal weights. The 17" FJ wheels are a good example. They have to use stick-on weights on the outside, even though they do have the clip on weights on the inside rim of the wheel. But at least there you don't get any damage to the finish.

 

[Scoobs]

When you say "redone", do you mean professionally refinished by a company that refinishes factory wheels?

Yes.

These guys didn't do the FJ wheels but I'll probably get them to do the Limited wheels.


Curbed Inc.

 

[g8r4runner]

Thanks for all the responses guys....Guess I'll deal with it, wait for a good deal on some wheels I like....I have the 18", would like to drop down but tires are brand new from dealer, so rather wear them out first.