Anyone else have this problem? The finish is coming off one of my rims. It looks like stone chips but you can see other areas where the finish is bubbling. I have to bring it the the dealer when his GM rep is in next week, just wanted to know if this is a common problem. Never winter driven!!

 

not what i would call "common"
but its a known issue.
a few people have had it happen.

 

The paint is falling off mine as well.There is a whole section in the service manual(from Helm Inc.-$135) about refinishing them.Aftermarket here I come.

 

mines BEEN bad....im getting my wheels completely replaced whenever I can get my butt to the dealer...had a rep look at it, and you have two options (according to him)...I only get 1 replacment set no matter what I choose...they can replace the ones I got with the same smoked wheel, or I can send the ones I got now and have them take the finish off and give them the polished look. Either way,its definitely a warranty covered issue, I still have the repair order from the shop that explains everything.

 

I can't get mine covered under warranty for some reason. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Someone knows the color code for our wheels ??

 

That is very interesting. Thst info could come in handy. +rep for you!

 

Mine did the same thing, nice little bubbles and paint just falling off.

Dealership took a quick look and ordered some new ones.

Refinishing them is harder than it seems, getting in the lug holes is a pain not to mention you shouldn't paint them where the lug seats.

 

THe problem is its a multi-stage paint job, hard to duplicate.

I am on my 3rd set, and they are peeling worse then the first two sets. Its really ridiculous, I'm not sure what my plan is now.

 

so you are getting them replaced under warrenty?

 

im debating getting mine refinished under warranty also. booo to flakey paint. Actually i may just get the damn things powder coated black.

 

^^^^Thats what I'm getting done, dropping the car off today for it.

 

They forgot to mix in the "hold the hell on" additive in the paint. Our cars have alot of tq remember?? haha mine are doing the same and they said that they would switch themm out with the 07 wheels but I dont like them so were still debating lol.

 

Thanks for the rep points!!

I dug out my repair order, and since I dont have a scanner at the house here, I'll just type exactly what it says if anyone is interested...

problem was checked out on August 3, 2006 (10,624 miles at the time)

Warranty issue #1024 - Called tec, spoke with Larry Raymer..wheel chip and peel due to wheel design and low profile tire with wheel outside of tire...chip when on back wheels...advise cll dvm if replacement wheel desired also hear f dealer that stripped color and thn clear coated...much cleaner lok and chips not as noticeable. Which ever way chosen - 1 tie only repair and damage will happen again on next set of wheels Richard Service Manager eplained to customer and advised she has record of complaint and doesn't need to decide right away and can think about case#9096960.


Document/Bulletin ID# 1841203
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt

Info-Refinishing Aluminum Wheels #99-08-51-007C

This buletin updates GeneralMotor's position on refinishing aluminum wheels. GM doesnot endorse ay repairs that involvewelding, bending, straigtening, or re-machining. Only cosmetic refinihing of the wheel's coatings, using recommendd procedures, as allowed.

Evaluating Damage:
It is the GM Dealer's responsibility to inspet the wheel for corrosin, scrapes, gouges, etc. The dealer must insure that such damage is not deeper than what can be sanded or polished off. The wheel must be inspected for cracks. If cracks are found, discard the wheel. Any wheels with bent rim flanges must not be reaired or refinished. Wheels that have been refinished by an outside company must be returned to the same vehicle. The dealer mst record the wheel ID stamp or the cast plat on the wheel in order to assure this requirement.

Aluminum Wheel Refinishing Recommendations:

-Chrome-plated aluminum wheels- re-plating tese wheels is not recommended

-Polished aluminum wheels - these whels have a polyester or acrylic clearcoat on them. If the clearcoat is damaged, refinishing is possible. However, therequired refinishig process cannot be performed in the dealer environment.

-Painted Aluminum Wheels - These wheels are painted using a primer, color coat,and clearcoat procedure. If the paint is damaged, refinishing is possible. As with polishd wheels, all original coatings must be removed first. Media blasting is recommended. Refer to GM ALuminum Refinishing Bulletin #53-17-03A for repainting of this type of wheel.

-Bright, machined aluminum wheels - These wheels hve a polyester or acrylc clearcoat on them. In some caes, the recessed "pocket" areas of the wheel may be painted Surface refinishing is possible. The wheel must be totally tripped by media blasing or other suitable means. The wheel should be resurfaced by using a sanding process rather than a machining process. This allows the least amount of material to be removed.

IMPORTANT: Do not use any re-machining process that removes aluminum. This could affect the dimensions and function of the wheel.

Painting is an option to re-clearcoating polished and bright machined aluminum wheels. Paint will better mask any surface imperfections and is somewhat more durable that clearcoat alone. GM recommends using Corsican SILVER WAEQ9283 for a fine 'aluminum-like" look or Sparkle SILVER WA9967 for a very bright look. As an option, the body colo may also be used. When using any of the painting options, it is recommendedthat all four wheels be refinished in order to aintain color uniformity. Refer to GM Aluminum Refinishing Bulletin #53-1-03A for specific procedures and product recommendations.

 

Great info there!

 

Good Luck !!
I spent 6 months with the stealership on this same issue. Yes it is common . It's not a matter of will it happen it is when will it happen. Long story short . Instead of fighting with the dealership on seeing who was going to pay for my rims to get re finished (either the district rep or the GM corporate which could have taken another 6 months) the dealership service manager said we will give you the old rims back with the defect and you can take the new style rims (which are the ones you can see on the Malibu Maxx SS . So now I have two sets of rims and to have to them powder coated I found a guy that will do it for $175 which I don't have so I'm going to attempt to paint the stock ones myself with a liitle help from my friend that has a silica sand blaster. I should try and call that number GM gives (Transwheel corp. (800-892-3733) The dealership had said that they no longer make the gun metal grey rims anymore since they came out withthe high polished ones.So be prepared for that too.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

I noticed that mine are starting to do the same thing. I've been pretty hesitant on taking it in because most of the time I'm fighting the dealership to do anything.

 

Yeah, I noticed the same problem with my wheels, flaking, chipping, and even corroding. I showed my service manager and he took a few pics of them and sent them in. when i dropped my car off he said that GM has a guy/place that does refinishing for them. I had them looking at a couple other problems with my car so they sent the wheels out in the meantime and worked on the other things on the lift. I am going to pick the car back up tonight and was told that they are darker too because they were fading to a more silvery color. but yeah no hassles or problems, he just took care of it. the shitty part was having to drive a base model G6 for 2 weeks.

 

So I finally went to the dealership where I bought the car, and they're sending all 4 out for refinishing. I have to drive a crappy base Cobalt for a few days now!!!!! I'll update the thread as to how they look.

 

Mine are doing the same thing and it only took 6 months.....I was debatign telling the dealership as they know me by name in there..lol But since some of you have had luck with a warrenty thing maybe I will tempt to as well. WHAT A HEADACHE

 

Mine is only 10 mts old and I had it put away for 4 mts for the winter. Doesn't take much I guess. I'll see what they look like and if it lasts when I get them back. It's covered under the warranty as well as the crappy base G5 rental I have!!!!!!

 

I had noticed one wheel going that way and now it's three of them. I'm off to the stealership to get it sorted out. I hope to not go the refinish route. I'm guessing that the paint shop deosn't have the same process as the OE factory and it won't look/stay as good.

 

Well I got my car back after a whole week. The rims actually look pretty good, they are a bit darker but thats fine with me. I'll see if the finish stays on this time

 

Actually,they look great BlownRedSS,I like 'em. If the finish has any durability you came out smelling like a rose.Good looking car too!

 

PAINT THEM! You'll love it! Link in sig!