Hi all,

Noticed a problem appearing on my alloy wheels on my Punto Evo GP 1.4 Multiair earlier this week. It's almost like white veins appearing on all 4 alloys, they are still smooth to the touch and the marks are not on the outside. I've attached some pics.

It went into the garage today for a few minor repairs (as well as tappet cover recall and a new chassis recall.) 3rd recall for my Evo in under a year. Can't help but think a bunch of clowns made this car. Really not happy with the alloys now. The garage have said they will send photos off to Fiat who will examine them and decide what action to take.

I can see Fiat saying that it's nothing and there's nothing they can do, but there's no way I will stand for that. The car is 1 year old and the alloys should be in better condition than they currently are. Has anyone else seen alloys go like this and what causes it?

Images:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/DC10Levo/IMG_0200.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/DC10Levo/IMG_0199.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/DC10Levo/IMG_0196.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/DC10Levo/IMG_0195.jpg

i had this problem on a set of cheap halfords alloys, the enamel/laquering/coating whatever you wanna all it, started to crack and chip, i didn't bother seeking any advice and i got rid of them pretty soon after, i think it may have been my alloywheel cleaner corroding the coating. so i wont use that stuff ever again. might be worth getting it checked out.

as above what have you been using to clean them? Acid based wheel cleaners are great at high lighting any small Flores in the lacquer.

I can't really tell from your pictures, but are these alloys diamond cut? as I can see fine grooves on some of the flat finishes.

My AMG Merc alloys are diamond cut, and when it went in for it's first service earlier this year I pointed out a similar problem (can't remember what it is actually called.. worm or something like that).

Anyhow the dealer looked at them and all the wheels were replaced under warranty.

Hope you have similar success.

This is oxidization under the lacquer of the diamond cut wheels, my old punto, my friends punto and my polished rim Ultralites did it. Started exactly the same way, 1st it crazes then bubbles then the lacquer flakes off , good news is Fiat did mine and his under warranty,
Unfortunately there is no way to stop it ever! no matter what you treat/clean them with, it's to do with the spraying of the wheel, if it ain't totally clean or free of oxygen it will do this.
To be honest your better getting the lacquer removed and just keep polishing them by hand with metal polish.

Thanks for the replies. I don't use any special cleaner on them, nothing like Wonder Wheels because I've heard so many bad things about it. The only thing I use to clean the wheels is car shampoo and a special wheel sponge.

Bit happier now I know Fiat have replaced alloys under warranty for this problem before. Fingers crossed they do the same for me!

its exactly what grande guy said, we have had problem on wheels on our cars.

laquered wheels are ****e if im honest.

Found something safe to clean my wheels with, Amberclens from the Ambersil range, the company i work for uses it to clean stairlift rails and other things, good for cleaning every surface. Gonna try it this weekend if i get time, should be good at getting rid of Brake Dust, makes light work of oil and nicotine.