Etched wheel, any ideas?

[Ford Fest]

I pulled my 2007 oem wheels/tires out of storage today as these are my winter wheels for our SUV. We quickly noticed something wasn't right. At first we thought something was leaking from around the valve stems of all of the tires. But, after talking to a few people we have concluded that the chemicals used to remove snow and ice from our roads was packed around the valve stems and I didn't get that area cleaned in the spring when I washed them for storage. It feels like the corrosion has eaten into the clear coat. Notice the inside of the wheels are eaten as well. I washed the wheels inside and out before putting them up. I've never had this issue the past seven years. Weird???

Anyone seen this before? Any idea if there is a DIY fix? If I can't fix it myself, I do need to stop it from spreading.

We have a local mobile wheel repair company I could call if needed.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l565/quail33/imagejpg1_zps1f597635.jpg (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/quail33/media/imagejpg1_zps1f597635.jpg.html)

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l565/quail33/imagejpg1_zps81e97f59.jpg (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/quail33/media/imagejpg1_zps81e97f59.jpg.html)

[Moldavite]

this doesn't look good :(
i like to know too

[Sicoupe]

Never have seen that either, let us know what you find out.

[Lakeside Detail]

Since they are winter wheels, looks like the salt found its way under the clear coat and oxidized the aluminum and is still spreading just like rust would do. Are they GM wheels? Its extremely common in the salt belt.

As for a fix, my guess is they have to be sanded, polished, and re-cleared.

[Ford Fest]

Since they are winter wheels, looks like the salt found its way under the clear coat and oxidized the aluminum and is still spreading just like rust would do. Are they GM wheels? Its extremely common in the salt belt.

As for a fix, my guess is they have to be sanded, polished, and re-cleared.

Agree, I think it is the only fix. They are GM wheels off of a 2007 Denali. No issues the first 6 years of ownership??? Good thing I have a set of spring/summer wheels!

[Mike Phillips]

We have a local mobile wheel repair company I could call if needed.




I'd call them and get their opinion.

My guess is in order to repair the area so it looks like nothing has ever happened, (most people's expectation for a repair), the entire wheel would have to be refinished.


:)

[damaged442]

If that is the only problem you have with an 07 OEM wheel, consider yourself lucky. The OEM wheels on my 07 TrailBlazer are completely annihilated from the clearcoat coming off and oxidizing. I too expressed initial concern when mine looked like yours. Unfortunately, it's a losing battle.