What is wheel lacquer failure?
A diamond-cut wheel has bare machined aluminium under a thin clear lacquer. A stone chip lets water under the lacquer. The aluminium starts to corrode, and it spreads under the clear as white powder and milky patches.
What kind of repair does it need?
Stripping and refinishing the whole wheel. Patching the spot does not last, because the corrosion keeps spreading under the clear. A diamond-cut face is re-cut on a lathe, then lacquered. Each cut takes metal off, so a wheel can only be done a few times.
Not a spot repair. Corrosion keeps spreading under anything laid over failed lacquer, so all of it comes off. A diamond-cut face is re-cut on a lathe. Each cut removes metal, so it can only be done a few times.
What to do next
Book a wheel refurbishment specialist. Ask if they strip the whole wheel or just the bad part. A spot repair over failed lacquer usually has to be done again. If someone quotes you kerb damage repair for lifting lacquer, get a second opinion.
Sources
- The Wheel Specialistrepairer
small stone chips allow water in behind the lacquer and in time causes the lacquer to deteriorate and appear cloudy.
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