buford_t_justice Posted June 17, 2006 Report Posted June 17, 2006 We all know that the GHIA alloys on the MK2 Galaxy are no good at keeping their appearance (maybe othr models too). Mine are 2.5 years old and already all four are starting to show signs of discolouration. The failing condition of the centre caps goes without question also. My question though: Around 2004 onwards the style of the 16" GHIA alloy was changed slightly. One difference was the grooves in the spokes were much shorter. Does anybody know if the discolouration issues have been resolved with this alloy even though my local Ford dealer insists he knows of no problems with the Galaxy! Quote
Marky Posted June 18, 2006 Report Posted June 18, 2006 Welcome to the club!!! It is a well known issue with these wheels (and the same ones on the Mondeo) though Ford will never admit it! I had two brand new ones just over 12 months ago and they arestarting to go again already! I think it is a poor quality laquer over the wheels which are a mixtureof being polished/painted. I'm in two minds whether to get them refurbed (about 100 quid) but just have them painted and lose the polished bits or buy a new set of rims/tyres......I've always fancied a set of 18" RS6's and I'm gonna need some tyres soon...... From 2004 the ghia alloys changed COMPLETELY and you can no longer spec the wheels that we have which might tell you something.....you could try ford customer service to try and get a token gesture from them but you'll probably get the 'alloy wheels are only warranted for 12 months from new' answer ..... Quote
buford_t_justice Posted June 19, 2006 Author Report Posted June 19, 2006 Does anybody on this forum have the new style Ghia alloy wheels that are say at least 18 months old?? Any signs of deterioration? Quote
johnb80 Posted June 19, 2006 Report Posted June 19, 2006 hi,I had the problem on my Gal, after much arguing and threatening court action all four were replaced with a token gesture from me. The new ones seem much better than the old ones and all of this was done when my car was about 30 months old. Give em hell. Regards - JB Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 19, 2006 Report Posted June 19, 2006 PArt of the problem is that the 5-spoke Ghia wheels are "diamond cut" machined smooth. They are not painted and (believe it or not) they have a smooth finish which means that the lacquer finds it difficult to adhere to the metal. This also means that the mobile wheel refurbishers cannot do anything to restore them since they need to be taken to a machine shop to be re-finished. Painted or rough-finished alloys will look better, with less chance of peeling varnish...plus they can be locally refurbished whilst still on the car. Not sure how feasible it is to have the 5-spoked ones painted Quote
shefki Posted June 20, 2006 Report Posted June 20, 2006 PArt of the problem is that the 5-spoke Ghia wheels are "diamond cut" machined smooth. They are not painted and (believe it or not) they have a smooth finish which means that the lacquer finds it difficult to adhere to the metal. This also means that the mobile wheel refurbishers cannot do anything to restore them since they need to be taken to a machine shop to be re-finished. Painted or rough-finished alloys will look better, with less chance of peeling varnish...plus they can be locally refurbished whilst still on the car. Not sure how feasible it is to have the 5-spoked ones paintedOnly the flat "mirror" finish is un-painted and it is this area that is often damaged by muppet motor mechanics when they remove the centre caps on services. My Alloys were in a terrible state after 2 years (but 80,000 miles) even though they were not kerbed or otherwise damaged. In the end you could pel the lacquor off the machined finish areas without resistance. The guy who bought my car had them acid dipped and re-sprayed / lacquored at Quote
buford_t_justice Posted June 21, 2006 Author Report Posted June 21, 2006 hi,I had the problem on my Gal, after much arguing and threatening court action all four were replaced with a token gesture from me. The new ones seem much better than the old ones and all of this was done when my car was about 30 months old. Give em hell. Regards - JB Ok then battle hath commenced! My local Ford dealer are now approaching Ford Customer Care to see what's on offer and advise me I may need to make a contribution towards replacement. So far my lips are still sealed with a response to that comment as I await the initial offering. As Robocop once said, "Your move creep." Incidentally, and if you don't mind me asking, how much was your token gesture?? Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 Quote:The guy who bought my car had them acid dipped and re-sprayed / lacquored at Quote
Marky Posted June 27, 2006 Report Posted June 27, 2006 Where did he go to get that done? Local paint sprayers? Sounds a bargain Ivor...there are loads of places in Brum that will do a same day refurb on all four wheels for about Quote
mumof4 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 So the stuff peeling of my alloys is laquer?looks like plastic to me even though they are alloy wheels!They are a right mess.look ruddy awful infact.I shall have to see if there might be a place round here that might do them for me.hmmm...now where did i put the yellow pages......... Quote
Ivor_E_Tower Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Looks like mum-of-4 and me need to arrange a day-trip to Brum, then. Should have arranged for a meet-up at a wheel refurbishers rather than near Stonehenge..... Now just got to use the internet, a search engine and the word "Birmingham" ..... Quote
johnb80 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Incidentally, and if you don't mind me asking, how much was your token gesture?? Initially they said Quote
mumof4 Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Right, ive just been quoted 200 quid for all 4 alloys, that includes labour and taking the tyres off etc...and vat.does that sound good???as he said that he would need the alloys/wheels for 3 days as he takes em sum where to be sandblasted one day..redone the next..then put back on car 3rd day. no idea if this is good or not..guy sounded ok though.Seeing him on wed when i drop the car off to see if he can repair the front bumper and the front wing..also the passenger door..and the scratch my daughter did....hmmm....need to win the lottery i think!! ;) ..Gives free quotes and under no obligation!.Dont hurt to find out i guess. Quote
raymac Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Where did he go to get that done? Local paint sprayers? Sounds a bargain Ivor...there are loads of places in Brum that will do a same day refurb on all four wheels for about Quote
Marky Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Hiya raymac.....i'll get you the number when i can get hold of them but i'm pretty sure the company is called lab-tab and they are in erdington, tyburn road at the spaghetti jcn end .... if you are anywhere near b&q or the manor house at stechford they've got a banner advert on the railings outside victoria wines!!! all previous info is just in case you can't wait till i get in touch with one of them!!! :D :D :lol: :D typical....2 minutes later.....they ring back!! Lap-Tab UK.Ltd205, Tyburn Rd, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands B24 8NB Tel: 0121 328 1697 they were one of the first places to do refurbs and from what i've seen are really good.. hope that helps mark Quote
raymac Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil :lol: :D Quote
Marky Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil :lol: :D Hehehe...you can always try and respray them yourself first, then if you are not happy with them you can get them done by the pro's....this'll give you more money to spend on the old vin rouge!!! Have a great time.... Quote
buford_t_justice Posted June 28, 2006 Author Report Posted June 28, 2006 Ok well round 1 is over. They offered a 50% contribution towards new wheels, centre caps and fitting. This would still leave me with a Quote
Marky Posted June 28, 2006 Report Posted June 28, 2006 Ok well round 1 is over. They offered a 50% contribution towards new wheels, centre caps and fitting. This would still leave me with a Quote
raymac Posted June 29, 2006 Report Posted June 29, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil :D :D Hehehe...you can always try and respray them yourself first, then if you are not happy with them you can get them done by the pro's....this'll give you more money to spend on the old vin rouge!!! Have a great time.... Dropped them an email and was quoted Quote
Marky Posted July 2, 2006 Report Posted July 2, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil <_< :wacko: Hehehe...you can always try and respray them yourself first, then if you are not happy with them you can get them done by the pro's....this'll give you more money to spend on the old vin rouge!!! Have a great time.... Dropped them an email and was quoted Quote
raymac Posted July 3, 2006 Report Posted July 3, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil :) :D Hehehe...you can always try and respray them yourself first, then if you are not happy with them you can get them done by the pro's....this'll give you more money to spend on the old vin rouge!!! Have a great time.... Dropped them an email and was quoted Quote
Marky Posted July 3, 2006 Report Posted July 3, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil :D :D Hehehe...you can always try and respray them yourself first, then if you are not happy with them you can get them done by the pro's....this'll give you more money to spend on the old vin rouge!!! Have a great time.... Dropped them an email and was quoted Quote
raymac Posted July 4, 2006 Report Posted July 4, 2006 Cheers mark will give them bell in due time probally after i have caned the visa card in france and have got it back to nil :D :D Hehehe...you can always try and respray them yourself first, then if you are not happy with them you can get them done by the pro's....this'll give you more money to spend on the old vin rouge!!! Have a great time.... Dropped them an email and was quoted Quote
Marky Posted July 6, 2006 Report Posted July 6, 2006 I've been on my way to get them twice and something else has cropped up to eat the money!! :D So don't hold your breath!! Quote
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