American Racing wheels corroding after 6mos!!!

[ctm]

Last September I bought new wheeels and tires for my then 6mo old Tundra. I put BFG AT's on American Racing Outlaw II's. I really liked the look on my LTD Tundra, it just happen that they weren't all that expensive a wheel at $95 a piece.

Even after keeping them clean through the winter, they're getting all sorts of corrosion on them through the factory clear coat! Now I've got to go fight with the tire/wheel dealer.

Sure wish I had the money then to buy Weld Stonecrushers, but they were too rich for my blood @ $275ea. Now I'm rethinking the situation.

Has anyone else had problems with AR wheels?

Here are a couple of pictures in case you want to take a look.

Thanks

Tom

[RobXS]

The wheels have a 1 year warranty on the finish. Since they are clear coated, they shouldn't be pitting. AR is pretty good about standing behind their products. I would take them back to where you purchased them from. They will have to work with AR for the replacement. That could be a problem because the retailer probably won't want the hassle.

[ctm]

I was in contact with National Wheel and Tire in Wheeling, WVA. They want me to send them a copy of the photos I took after washed it this past weekend.

I offered to e-mail them right over and they said they don't have e-mail!! I have the feeling, I'm going to take a hit on this one. But...I'm not going down without a fight!

Thanks for the advice.

[RobXS]

You should be all right. ARE is a pretty good company. A lot better than if you had to deal with Weld. They are a pain in the a$$. I have sold hundreds of wheels and ARE seems to stand behind their product the best.

[Sirshan]

Mine seem to have watermarks...If I want it clean...I need to polish them all the time. Its weird...I dont like it at all, but I am lazy to polish them everytime I wash the truck. It looks as if its gettign oxodized.

[ctm]

I almost wish now I had bought wheels that need polishing like in the old days of mag wheels. Then I could polish out these oxidation/corrosion marks. The Outlaw II's I bought have a clear coat over them so that all they are supposed to need is washing and wiped off.

But Rob says the AR is a good company to deal with so I feel a little better. I'm going to send off my letter with photos today and see how long it takes to get a reply.

I'll post the developments her in case any other of you AR wheel owners fall into the same problem.

Tom

[TIGERTUNDRA]

On clear coated rims I like to put a coat of a good wax over them to give them better protection... also makes it easier to clean..

[ctm]

Well boys, good news for me. National Wheel and Tire called after receiving my letter and photo and will give me full credit for the ARE Outlaw II's that I bought. Not one argument. I opted to buy a better and new model wheel, the "Diamond Lock" which is also clear coated. So I've got to pay the money difference and shipping.

Oh well, at least I'll have brand new wheels.

BTW, the guy at National Tire suggested that I refrain from using Simple Green on the wheels. He was afraid that it could have been the reason for the corrosion under the clear coat.

Thanks

Tom

[ROBROM1]

Originally posted by ctm
Well boys, good news for me. National Wheel and Tire called after receiving my letter and photo and will give me full credit for the ARE Outlaw II's that I bought. Not one argument. I opted to buy a better and new model wheel, the "Diamond Lock" which is also clear coated. So I've got to pay the money difference and shipping.

Oh well, at least I'll have brand new wheels.

BTW, the guy at National Tire suggested that refrain from using Simple Green on the wheels. He was afraid that it could have been the reason for the corrosion under the clear coat.

Thanks

Tom

i would like to see pics of those wheels on your truck i was looking at the other wheel that looks similar(also by AR) but without the bead look and in chrome.good choice

[DevinSixtySeven]

Originally posted by ctm
Last September I bought new wheeels and tires for my then 6mo old Tundra. I put BFG AT's on American Racing Outlaw II's. I really liked the look on my LTD Tundra, it just happen that they weren't all that expensive a wheel at $95 a piece.

Even after keeping them clean through the winter, they're getting all sorts of corrosion on them through the factory clear coat! Now I've got to go fight with the tire/wheel dealer.

Has anyone else had problems with AR wheels?

!%^!$%&!$#%!!!!!

The problem is not actually Simple Green, nor AR, nor the clearcoat...you and I live in Ohio, the salt f-ing capital of the universe. I bought my AR Outlaw IIs last summer, put them through a considerable amount of punishment offroad, cleaned them with Simple Green on a regular basis, kept them shiny, etc. etc. etc...they continued to be shiny and beautiful when I moved to Dayton back in October...until it snowed and some jackass at the Ohio DOT decided that if they use enough salt on the roads, they might just outdo the snow, and somehow we'll get traction. In the meantime, my clearcoat is pitted, my new rear springs are orange as is just about everything else on my truck, the center caps of my new rims look hideous, and I conscientiously avoid driving through puddles. This state is ridiculous...when it dries out during winter, the roads are white, and salt is piled up on the side like snowdrifts.

...it ain't the rims, it's OHIO.

Ugh. At least now you have a new pair of rims to get screwed up next winter when someone decides it's time to turn a landlocked state in to beach-front property...I haven't seen this much corrosion even on the coast...I'd have to be driving through the surf every day and not washing it off.

If you think I'm nuts, try this: take two pieces of regular old steel, not stainless, and put one in a glass of tap water, put the other in a solution of salt water, and in a week see which one looks nastier.

-Sean

[ctm]

Deepstealth:

You're definitely right about Ohio. I'm even thinking of buying back my original rims and tires from my young mechanic to put on the truck during the winters. It's really frustrating, just when you need the better traction of the premium tire you have to take it off to keep it from getting screwed up!


Robrom1:

As soon as I get the wheels and get them changed over, I'll post a couple of pictures for you to look at.

Tom