Wheel Trim Discolouring

[italiastar]

A few weeks ago (in France) I noticed white marks on the outer "chrome" edge of the SEAT badge on my wheel trims. I was on all 4 wheels and my first thoughts were that they had been pecked by the peacocks in the B&B we'd stayed in. On further investigation I saw that the white areas were slightly raise - peacocks proved innocent.

 

During a separate ruck with SEAT lack of customer services I mentioned this problem and Thjey said that they not come across it before and to me to take my car to the dealer so that theyu may examine it and decide on rectification. The dealer was very helpful and happy to order replacements without me having to take the car to them, the only issue was worjking out which ones I needed. I popped into the dealer today and looked at their used car stock - every Alhambra ( of differing ages) had the same problem to varying degrees. Interestingly, the non-Alhambras appeared to be OK.

 

I appreciate that this is all my fault! - my fault for buying the car in the first place - my fault for noticing the problem - my fault for expecting the badges on a 20 grand car to last more than 12 months. I accept that Ford have decided to dissassociate themselves from their cars after 3 years, if the rear badges are anything to go by, but is this really what we should expect from our cars?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

It's down to poorly specified manufacturing processes. If you own the car from new, best thing is to remove plastic wheeltrims or centre caps as soon as you get it home, and coat them with 2 or 3 layers of clear automotive lacquer. This will also make them easier to clean. A bit late for you, I'm afraid. :D

[Taliska]

Looks like the same thing is happening to my Ford badges at the front and back... aarrrggghhh. :D

 

Taliska

[Marky]

same thing happened to the centres on my Audi's alloys....got some new ones

and they suggested I do as Ivor said earlier...to which I laughed at them and

said I would see them in 6 months when these ones went the same way !!!

 

:D :D :D

[italiastar]

Thanks for the tip Ivor. I must admit, I'm with you Marky - this is just poor customer service - we shouldn't put up with it!

[seatkid]

Thanks for the tip Ivor. I must admit, I'm with you Marky - this is just poor customer service - we shouldn't put up with it!

You won't have for very much longer. Shalaxy production is to stop at the end of this year if all the rumours are correct.

[Richmond]

my first thoughts were that they had been pecked by the peacocks

Well, of course, that would be anyone's first thought. When shit happens, my first thought is invariably 'Bloody peacocks again!'.

[Guest fredt]

my first thoughts were that they had been pecked by the peacocks

Well, of course, that would be anyone's first thought. When shit happens, my first thought is invariably 'Bloody peacocks again!'.

My first thought is what the hell's she hit now! ;)

[italiastar]

Well, of course, that would be anyone's first thought. When shit happens, my first thought is invariably 'Bloody peacocks again!'.

;) :D :D

[italiastar]

Apparently, I'm the ONLY person in the world who has reported this problem according to SEAT (lack of) customer services could all you SEAT (or for that matter non-SEAT) owners please check their cars to see if this is true.

[Guest Dunny]

All 4 of my wheel hub caps have heavy corrosion. :rolleyes:

 

Anyone any idea how much these cost to replace ?

[Ivor_E_Tower]

Mk 2 Ghia wheel centres are plastic so they are not suffering from corrosion, just scratching etc, usually caused by Ford garages who don't use the special tool on the wheelbrace/jack to prise them off; we covered this topic very recently, IIRC about

[Guest Dunny]

The wheel trims are undoubtedly plastic, but they are plated or flame sprayed with a metallic coating. It is this coating that has corroded.

[italiastar]

All 4 of my wheel hub caps have heavy corrosion.

 

Are you sure it's not peacocks ? :unsure: :angry: :P

 

My suggestion is take it up with Fraud - you'll only have to take a look at their used cars to see this occurring. If people don't complain, they accuse people like me to be the only complainers.