Wheel Rims Coating Problem

Originally Posted by kenchan

does your detailer place use those wheel cleaner balls you put on a drill or powered screw driver? if so, those can cause such problems. it appears they polished (ununtentionally) too much.

Originally Posted by SkyDancer

Wheel cleaner balls are a complete waste of money as they just cannot reach the various knooks and grannies that comprise different styles of wheels without having to put excessive pressure onto the ball to make it get into those spaces with the polish.

IMO wheel polish is a waste as well and really only makes a difference on chromed wheels.

I just wash my wheels using Stoner Window Spray (aerosal) and it cleans and shines them at the same time. And they look as good as new!

Originally Posted by mannyz

Window Spray o_O

Originally Posted by mannyz

Well guys I did a search here in the forum, searching for other drivers with the same situation I have but it seems that almost everyone changed their wheels.

Here is my situation, 2 to 3 months ago I was at my detailer shop where they wash all my cars for 7 years. And they noticed some black spots on my wheels. One of the (only the driver side) is the worst, the other ones has the same pattern paint problem. The look like if the silver coating is wearing out, not even peeling or bubling, just wearing out leaving the black primer or first coating Nissan used to paint the wheels. Most noticeable parts are inside the hard sections of the wheels.

Well I took it to the dealer and they took pictures, send it to Nissan and Nissan said that is not cover under warranty because they are sure is a strong chemical I used that messed up the wheels. Weird to say I received the letter from Nissan and it only says:

"Nissan carefully considered your request during a review of all the available facts pertaining to your specific situation. It is our understanding that the need for repairs to your wheels was not due to a defect in materials or workmanship, therefore the repairs are not covered under the terms of your new vehicle warranty."

But when I called them they said is a chemical I used.

These are my arguments:
1. I always take the car to the same Detailer Shop, they use car products that are designed to not damage the car. They have take care of me for 7 years and never had this problem not even with my previous cars.
2. I owned the Z for a year now, and since they one my detailer people are the ones taking care of it. This problem started 2 to 3 months ago. I will considered that if they mistakly used a wrong product it should have noticed way sooner.
3. The coating problem on all 4 wheels is inside the hard to reach sections, the coating, the shining, the texture of the whole rim is not affected, if a strong chemical did that to certain areas it should have damage the face of the wheel which always recevie most of the product you use to clean them.
4. The center cap on the wheel is chrome plastic, and they are all four in great conditions as well, so the strong chemical damage the rim but not the center cap? Same with the Calipers, they are intact, no discoloration, of pealing, not coating damage, I have never take the wheels of the car, so the suppose "strong chemical" has been use on the whole wheel and not just certain areas.
5. I went to a dealer and found 2 cars, with completly different wheels with the coating problems, exactly on the hard to reach areas.


Still I will like your opinion guys:


Look at the end of that leg and inside the triangle.


Do you see that black shadow line?


Just showing that the condition of the wheel is still good.



Look inside the triangle, that black spray condition


This is the one at the dealers, dont know if you can see the black line in the border of the leg. I mean the whole edge. Some of the rims for this same car dont have that black edge.

Sorry for the bunch of pictures. I know is difficult to see as well. I also have a lot of people that are telling I am too picky, and maybe some of you will think the same. I do respect your opinion if thats what you will post, but please understand my point that I am planning to keep this car for as long as I can and this is not a $5,000 car, even if it is, I will be picky too

Sorry for the long post. I need to go to different dealers to find cars with the same wheel to see if they are showing the same problem.

Originally Posted by kfscoll

The factory wheels have a two-stage paint on them -- it's black under a metallic silver paint -- that's called "ghost chrome." That's what gives the wheel its unique look but that's what also causes the black spots to appear when the wheels are damaged.

DO NOT USE any type of abrasive polish or cleaner on the wheel. The top metallic layer is EXTREMELY thin and extremely easy to polish off (ask me how I know).

If you can convince Nissan to repaint your wheels that's probably your best bet. A professional aftermarket powdercoat would almost certainly be more uniform and more durable than the factory wheel finish.

Originally Posted by kfscoll

The factory wheels have a two-stage paint on them -- it's black under a metallic silver paint -- that's called "ghost chrome." That's what gives the wheel its unique look but that's what also causes the black spots to appear when the wheels are damaged.

DO NOT USE any type of abrasive polish or cleaner on the wheel. The top metallic layer is EXTREMELY thin and extremely easy to polish off (ask me how I know).

If you can convince Nissan to repaint your wheels that's probably your best bet. A professional aftermarket powdercoat would almost certainly be more uniform and more durable than the factory wheel finish.

Originally Posted by PapoZalsa

One thing I can tell you is that the 350Z where worst, you could not look at them bad. The 370Z Sport Pkg wheels have a little better finish however I have found some blemishes on them, not like you describe.

One of the things is never let your brake dust bake on the rims and wash your rims (soap & water) before you wash the rest of the car.

Last but not least, bring the issue to your service manager. If you don't get a response them got to FB.

Go to FaceBook under Nissan North America, do a friend request and go to the Discussion Thread and open a Topic, your will get a message real fast, believe me.

Also PM me, I have some email addresses that will get you some answers and results if you cannot get your issue resolve at the lower level.