Wheel corrosion

996 Targa - MY'02 I have noticed a small amount of under paint corrosion by the tyre valve on each of my alloy wheels. I was surprised to see in on each wheel at the same place and wondered if this was a class problem. Anyone else seen this?

Are they the 18 inch classic sports / GT3 split rim alloys with an aluminium outer rim? If so, they all go like that in time.

They are 18 inch classic sport wheels.

Funny that. My offside front is going the same way. Plus the chrome rims have become horribly discoloured. Not seen that since my G reg Escort 1.6S (with a wing!!). I'm taking all four of mine in for a full tear down and refurb in a couple of weeks to Specialist Paintwork behind Porsche Reading. We get a 10% discount and I've been assured they'll look like new.

Hi John ... what are they charging you for the refurb?

£395+vat before the discount for four rims (restored and re-chromed) and one face to be stripped and repainted. They dismantle the wheels completely, do the work and reassemble them. Apparently Porsche GB aren't keen on having the wheels dismantled but they've been doing it for twenty years without a failure so I don't have a problem with it.

God!! That sounds expensive compared to other prices I have seen around. I hope they will offer you some kind of warranty that they will not corrode underneath the laquer on the aluminiun outer rim, because that is where they all seem to go first. Don't get fobbed off with "It's stone chips which have caused that", never had it on any other alloys. They should (in my opinion) apply a laquer which has more fleixbility when the paint has gone off, so it resists chipping more easily. I think it is a common well known problem that these 18" sports classics have this corrosion problem, and the silly sods keep making them. Surely Porsche would be able to source a more flexible finishing product to protect the outer rim more effectively. It's a real shame, because I think that this type of alloy is absolutely beautiful (when they're clean)!!!

I have been dealing with Mark from bmautosport.co.uk - mini coopers also have split rims that corrode!He would be interested in quoting anyone for refurbishing GT3 type wheels - or anything else that needs sorting for that matter!

My SportsDesign GT3 wheels went the same way - I think they all do. I spoke to Pristine Wheels about splitting them and doing a complete refurb - They've happy about doing it - they seem to know all about GT3 wheels - they knew what to expect as soon as I mentioned the type of wheel. I seem to remember it was about £150 per wheel - loads of money but there didn't seem to be much point in trying to refurb splits without splitting them and the corrosion will just come back. Pristine are at http://www.pristinealloywheels.co.uk/

Hi there, good choice of car and I hope you are enjoying it. Regarding your first point, I have to say that the wheels will not be covered under warranty as these are a wear and tear item (and are specifcally not detailed in the warranty booklet as an item that is covered). Looks like its Plan B then and being based in the south I am afraid I can only provide details of places local to me. Sorry! Cheers Mark

Might be worth doing the maths, it will be more expensive, but you could probably px your wheels for another set of TTs from somewhere like Jasmine or Porsch-Apart. The convenience of just swapping them over may outweigh the additional cost. Out of interest, why do you want to go for powder-coating as opposed to painting?

National Alloys,Widnes are good 0151 495 1880.

Craig Call Simon at Porsch-Apart and he will be prepared to swap you a new (genuine refurbished) set while you are there. He has a really good tyre fitter just 100yds away and he will take the wheels there for you. It should be a painless excercise and pretty quick too. Best of luck.

Peter, Re your response (I'm in Lincoln) I had a very good service provided by Tanvic Tyres on Carholme Road, Lincoln. This was an exchange service, the replacement wheels arrived in a week and I didn't have to leave mine, ie drive in drive out. It was for an MR2, I can't remember the cost but I was very impressed and tyre removal/fitment was included in the price. They looked like new. Where is Porsch-Apart out of interest?

Hi Matthew Porsch-Apart is a long way from you I'm afraid - a place called Ramsbottom in Lancashire! I am sure there will be somehwere closer to you that somone could recommend.

Diamond Wheels in Stockport have a good reputation - they charge approx £60 per wheel. Porscheapart in Ramsbottom aren't too far from Manchester.

Thanks for the replies guys, I may give Diamond Wheels a go. Robertb: I am going for poweder coating as opposed to painting because the coat is bonded to the wheel, less likely to flake.

I had some wheels done by Lepsons, sent them by parcelforce, you have to take the tyres off first. The parcelforce cost wasn't horrendous about £30 if I remember correctly as they are cheap if all the packages (4 wheels) are going to the same address at the same time, they treat as one consignment. Lepsons then look at the wheels and phone you with the price, refurb them and send the wheels back by their courier each wheel in their own separate cardboard box. I was very inpressed with them and very happy with the wheels which were a diamond cut face and painted black inside the spokes so not just a straightforward paint job,they did an excellent job. www.lepsons.com I am not affiliated to Lepsons by the way.

Thanks for all the replies guys. I will try to post some before and after pictures in the next few weeks.