Alloy scratched with tyre change

[Semple]

snip

Would be worth putting in a complaint to black circles as well.

Frankly I can't see how the garage can just fob you off to black circles, all the do is supply the tyres, they don't fit them.

 

[pioneer2000]

I always dread getting tyres changed, luckily I have used the same garage for a while now and they have never marked a wheel, use a torque wrench on refitting and balancing is always spot on (Red Path Tyres @ the Gyle Edinburgh) They do charge a premium at £15 a wheel up to 18" and £20 for 19" + but I don't want to take the risk of taking it anywhere else and getting marked wheels.

I've had a wheel marked in the past, the garage got it repaired after I pointed it out without a fight, I expect they don't mention it initially as most owners don't care. It was a diamond cut wheel luckily it never went totally through the lacquer so the refurbisher added lacquer to the scratch and polished it back down, I was sceptical that would work but I couldn't see the repair and it never corroded at that point for 4 years.

It's always noticeable as they cannot refurbish the circular scoring pattern that diamond cut has round the edge (that probably won't make sense but up close you can tell).

What happened after 4 years? It corroded? :S

It was £18, so not particularly cheap as well.

 

[timmeh]

I've got 4 new wheels going on my car this week. This thread has got me worried...

 

[Dangerous Dave]

It's always noticeable as they cannot refurbish the circular scoring pattern that diamond cut has round the edge (that probably won't make sense but up close you can tell).

What happened after 4 years? It corroded? :S

It was £18, so not particularly cheap as well.

They never needed to recut the wheel as the scratch from the machine didn't go right through the lacquer, I can spot a poor repair easily this was unnoticeable as all they did was reapply and sand back/polish the lacquer.

All the wheels were corroding from the centre caps which wasn't near the repair, I got a second hand set off a newer car at that point which lasted until I sold the car. The old wheels went for a surprising amount second hand even with the corrosion almost covered the cost of the wheels I bought.

Where possible I try to avoid buying cars with diamond cut wheels as they rarely last 3-4 years. I don't understand why manufactures still do them in the UK as the winter salt kills them.

 

[lordrobs]

They were closed over the weekend so phoned them 1st thing this morning to mention (calmly) that there's some scratches to the alloys and if anyone can be there over lunch and I'll pop in for them to have a look - just to ensure they're not all out over lunch...

Dropped in and the manager popped out. Before I could open my mouth, he was straight away saying I've signed the form, left the premises and the paperwork has gone back to Black Circles so officially they don't need to do anything.

I explained that the light was poor, with soap suds on the alloys, so I couldn't see the detail and without being offered an inspection lamp I had to rely on my p-poor phone's torch (and he joked about seeing me on the cctv footage when he checked after my phone call). At the time I commented I couldn't see properly, so I asked his employee if they were damaged (I asked him 2-3 times at separate times during our chat, once in front of the receptionist as a witness) - so I felt that despite signing the form, I did so in good faith of his employee's statement. While even signing it, I said to him that I'm taking it on his word. Realistically - either the employee knew they were damaged and lied or he honestly missed the damage, while handling them in the fully lit interior of the garage - so how on earth and I meant to spot it in the unlit car park?!?

The manager said that I shouldn't have signed the form if there wasn't sufficient light to inspect, and I said there wasn't sufficient light to read the small print on the form, so I wasn't expecting it to be waive all my rights, and I was being pressured by his employee to sign it as they were wanting to close for the weekend. He said that he wouldn't have signed it if there wasn't enough light and he wasn't happy, so I asked if I would have been able to leave with my car without signing it, which he said no, so I asked how I'm meant to examine the car in daylight while also being able to get home and use it over the weekend. (no comment from him)

I then said that I'm not kicking and screaming in the way some people would, and he claimed he appreciated that, so he took some photos and said their head office will have to decide whether anything can be done. He didn't admit the marks were from his equipment, but also didn't say they weren't - just said that they use plastic guards so there shouldn't be marks. But he did agree they weren't mentioned in the inspection form prior to the work, so were new.

He said that the head office will take a couple days to get back to me, but also kept suggesting that as I signed the form, they don't need to... Guess I'll wait for a couple days and phone them when I don't hear anything...

At the time of fitting, I asked if there was any warranty/come-back and the employee said that the tyres are supplied through Black Circles and to deal with them for any problems with them, but to come back to them for any fitting issues. So, I don't think they can just wash their hands and say it's in the hands of BC.

(sorry for the essay)

Based on that conversation I'd be going straight to Blackcircles with a full account of whats gone on merely to register the complaint and start a timeline going. If they deal with it as you want, all well and good but if they don't then you've already got the ball rolling.

Stating that they don't have to do anything is enough of a red flag not to just sit back and do nothing.

 

[pioneer2000]

They never needed to recut the wheel as the scratch from the machine didn't go right through the lacquer, I can spot a poor repair easily this was unnoticeable as all they did was reapply and sand back/polish the lacquer.

All the wheels were corroding from the centre caps which wasn't near the repair, I got a second hand set off a newer car at that point which lasted until I sold the car. The old wheels went for a surprising amount second hand even with the corrosion almost covered the cost of the wheels I bought.

Where possible I try to avoid buying cars with diamond cut wheels as they rarely last 3-4 years. I don't understand why manufactures still do them in the UK as the winter salt kills them.

Fair enough

So am I correct in that if the damage has gone through the lacquer the only "back to new" way to fix it is a full strip and recut?

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Fair enough

So am I correct in that if the damage has gone through the lacquer the only "back to new" way to fix it is a full strip and recut?

That's what I was told, I would get a new wheel TBH everyone I know that has a fully refurbished diamond cut wheel has had it start corroding within a year. You can get large discounts off wheels from dealers, I have managed 40-50%. Selling the old wheel should cover a large portion of the cost.

 

[DereksDontRun]

cheers for the comments about going to BC directly - it's already in my to do list, as their satisfaction survey email arrived this afternoon... I was looking through their website this morning and couldn't find anything about damage and fitting problems...

Bloody cars... honestly think I'll never get one brand new again as the stress and frustration of keeping it clean, scratch-free, parked well away from others etc seems to outweigh the enjoyment atm.

 

[VincentHanna]

That was my point before everyone jumped on me for the lolz, owning a nice car should be fun.

Don't worry about little cosmetic issues and just enjoy driving it and being in it. I get being proud of it but how often do you stare at your own car?

 

[DereksDontRun]

That was my point before everyone jumped on me for the lolz, owning a nice car should be fun.

Don't worry about little cosmetic issues and just enjoy driving it and being in it. I get being proud of it but how often do you stare at your own car?

no, I don't "stare" at it, but I'm proud of it. I like it, the way it looks as much as the way it drives. Walking through my work car park, I probably do look at it, and if I see some bird-mess or dirt on it, then I'll probably clean it off. I'm happy (or mad) enough to spend about 3 hours the odd weekend to wash, wax and polish it. There's no swirl marks, no dents, no scratches to the paint and i'm happy with that. Yes, I'm possibly a little OCD with it, to the degree the gf refuses to drive it (in case she hurts it, as it's my pride and joy, as she says). It's only done 13.4k miles and I (was) happy to change the Pilot Supersport tyres, not because they were near the legal limit (approx 2.5mm tread left on the rears) but because I could notice the grip diminishing and it's worth the expense (in my mind) to have good rubber on all corners prior to winter. So, yeah, cosmetic issues do worry - not just my OCD but also when it comes to resale - surely you can command a better price when it's obviously looked after and near pristine.

Don't get me wrong, it's not a show car, and I regularly chuck (carefully) a mountain bike in the back (on a tarp) and I'm happy to drive in my muddy gear (while sat on a towel). Yes, I'm sure you're laughing, but if it was someone else's car then I'd be even more careful and precious with it.

 

[IAmATeaf]

Name and shame the tyre place, pretty poor how they have handled your complaint. They know full well that their handling caused the marks but are choosing to hide behinds bits of paper. I personally would want to know and avoid if they are local to me.

 

[200sols]

I always use etyres now. Always found them very good.

 

[DereksDontRun]

I've used BC before and been happy - but I guess it's the luck of the draw with the local fitter, for their competence and customer skills.

don't want to name and shame yet, as I'm giving them until the weekend to get back to me - as I agreed with them (for their "head office" feedback).

I've also raised a formal complaint with BC and listed what's happened and the situation thus far.

Coincidentally I'm heading into BMW this evening, so I'll ask for their refurb contacts to get a repair quote.

 

[jpaul]

[does not help Derek -

but what machine/technique should you be looking for to avoid any potential rim damage ?
can the tyre be taken off from the other side ? otherwise, some kind of prying mechanism will be needed,
and difficult to robustly coat a piece of prying steel to avoid any possible marks, do wheels have varing varnish hardness

similar issure here, thread https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=23&t=1576716
]

 

[Trappi$t]

I dont mean to be condescending, but are you 100% sure those marks are not dried tyre soap?

Definitely deep scratches down to the wheel primer? If so I struggle to understand how any clown could do such a huge amount of damage.

 

[robj20]

I dont mean to be condescending, but are you 100% sure those marks are not dried tyre soap?

Definitely deep scratches down to the wheel primer? If so I struggle to understand how any clown could do such a huge amount of damage.

Or maybe even the sealent they use, ive had that leave a white line around my wheels

 

[Em3bbs]

That was my point before everyone jumped on me for the lolz, owning a nice car should be fun.

Don't worry about little cosmetic issues and just enjoy driving it and being in it. I get being proud of it but how often do you stare at your own car?

It may be different for you as you rent someone else's car, but a lot of people who own their own do actually like to look after it. Be it spending a day detailing it or taking photos of it. I'm not one of these people, mainly as I don't have the time, but I perfectly understand why someone wants to take care of what is likely the biggest asset they own apart from their home. Also, if it was leased then it's possible the leasing company would charge for a wheel refurb if they are damaged, a bit like the bird poo marks you are worried about.

 

[VincentHanna]

No, I own my car at the moment - I will be switching to contract hire soon.

 

[Trappi$t]

I always get my tyres swapped at the places that refurbish alloys.

Given the fact that they have refurbished alloys on RangeRovers and BMWs etc, the last thing they wish to do is damage their freshly refurbished ones and have to paint them all again, they would go out of business.

Had COUNTLESS tyre swaps, not a single issue, and always ask them to balance to 0g on the machine too, unlike most of the normal ones who just get it 5-10g close on the scale.

 

[DereksDontRun]

I dont mean to be condescending, but are you 100% sure those marks are not dried tyre soap?

Definitely deep scratches down to the wheel primer? If so I struggle to understand how any clown could do such a huge amount of damage.

Or maybe even the sealent they use, ive had that leave a white line around my wheels

yup, down through the paint. It's been raining all weekend, and I've rubbed/checked the marks many times, so positive they're through the paint:

Spoiler: through to primer, or metal?

To continue the tale...

Emailed BC last night with photos and this morning they replied "Looking at the pictures you have forwarded I agree that this damage has been caused during the fitting process." no argument about prior photos, just instant admittance. They've asked me to get a quote at my desired refurb place and to forward to them for approval - they recommended https://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

I've emailed back to say I'll ask BMW for an approved place, in the hope I can retain any paint/alloy warranty and be in touch.

So far the service from BC has been a million miles better than the fitter, whom I'm still expecting a call any moment to say "tough luck." I hope BC question the fitter about this damage and how they could have caused it and expect people to evaluate the job in an unlit area.