[404State]

Hi all

I’ll soon be buying a Duster. I’ve chosen a 2022 plate Essential. The dealer sent a video when it first came in and then another after they’d cleaned it up. In the second video I noticed some paint has come off the steel wheels, which I presume happened while they were washing it.

I’ve had a read around and have heard others have experienced the same. However, whilst looking for Dusters to buy there were many that were older with more miles, and the wheels still looked immaculate.

Does anyone know why some wheels are affected and others not?

Also…

- How much of a problem is it? Presumably they’re more vulnerable to corrosion without paint, but in the real world how long would it be before it is an actual practical problem?

- How difficult is it to have them repainted with a job that will last. The dealer said that if they had them repainted, the paint would soon come off again.

Any thoughts or help very much appreciated.

Many thanks

[olduser]

I would guess the wheels were originally powder coated rather than spray painted.

In theory powder coating gives a better more reliable finish but powder coating depends on an absolutely clean surface, any contaminants and the coating does not bond to the surface on heating.

Spray painting is a little more tolerant, I am sure if you look around you will find people who will redo the wheels for you.

[404State]

Many thanks for the reply.

That's interesting that you should say all that as I have an update... The dealer has now offered to get the wheels painted. I pressed them as to how (and whether it would be powder coated), and they said it would be a “two pack paint”. He also said the firm who would do it recommend black as it has a built in lacquer and so is more hard-wearing (silver apparently is just a thin coat).

I know nothing about such things so wondered if anyone could comment please on whether what they're sounds like it will be a good or rubbish job? No idea what a two pack paint is!!!

Thanks again for the help

(PS - not sure how the original paint would have been applied at manufacturing, sorry)

[NMNeil]

Two pack paint is like epoxy resin, the actual resin and a hardener. Mix them together and they chemically cure to give a very tough coating.
Incredibly durable and often used to paint aircraft it's so tough.
https://aeromotiveinnovations.com/aircraft-paint/

[Rolebama]

Two pack has been around for over 40yrs. It works very well, and as NMNeill says above, is very durable. My thoughts on the paint on those wheels are to wonder about where the car has been driven: Gravel roads, building sites etc.

[404State]

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to update and for the benefit of any future readers... The dealer agreed in the end to knock the money off (£200) instead of having the work done. My concern was that whoever was going to do it would do a quick cheap job, maybe not even removing the existing paint first. From years of home decorating, I know well that a coat of paint is only as good as what is beneath it!

I'm not too bothered about looks. It's mostly tractors, quad bikes, mud, and other brown squidgy stuff on the roads around here. Perhaps I'll leave them for now and let nature and time strip a bit more of the paint off. When the time comes, I can get them done properly or have a stab at it myself. I don't imagine it will be that often that the wheels will be clean enough to see what colour they are anyway!

Thanks again

[404State]

Thought I'd follow up with some close up photos now we have the car.

One of the back wheels is showing a little bit of rust on the outside, alongside the peeling paint. Both back wheels are rustier still on the inside.

Does it all look par for the course given the car's age and its "built to a price" ethos? It's a 3 year old Duster with 18k miles.

Also, does anyone know... When you get wheels repainted / powder coated, do they tend do the whole wheel or just the outside visible part?

Cheers


Link to photos:


https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...qB?usp=sharing

[olduser]

The whole wheel, unless you specify otherwise.

It looks as though there is some protective coating under the outer silver which is still protecting the wheels.