bubbling topic again

[dave_]

there are some past posts that bring up this problem, I just wanted to ask what the outcome has been when people bring it up with the dealer. All 4 of my rims are bubbling, and its only been 1 winter (got winter tires now). Not great quality there, I was just wondering what mazda if anything was doing about this

[dj_chinaman2097]

Is your car new or used? I think the dealership is supposed to give you new rims if this has happened during the warranty period.

Someone else will chime in to confirm.

[Wild Weasel]

If it's under warranty, they should fix or replace them. Frankly, if they offer to have them refinished, I think that's better than new so go for it.

[dave_]

Is your car new or used? I think the dealership is supposed to give you new rims if this has happened during the warranty period.

Someone else will chime in to confirm.

It was new.. bought in March 06, I really noticed it at the start of this winter when I put the winters on. The bubbling is not huge buts its there and will get worse over time

[Wild Weasel]

Yes it will. Talk to your service advisor about it. They should take care of you.

[dave_]

Yes it will. Talk to your service advisor about it. They should take care of you.

Alright I will, thanks alot guys. I guess iam going to go to missisauga mazda, I bought the car from erin mills mazda but I really hate the service there (and to that regard ontario mazda)

[Xerox]

If it's under warranty, they should fix or replace them. Frankly, if they offer to have them refinished, I think that's better than new so go for it.

Why do you think it's better to refinish than to get new? (honest question - not trying to argue)

Refinishing the 3 rims is probably a different process but I remember my parents Malibu rims started to bubble. After many talks GM finally agreed to refinish it. They grinded the surface (1998 malibu rims had some-what shiny grooved surface). When we got the wheels back, you can visibly see that the lip on the refinished rim is thinner than the others that had not been refinished.

[Wild Weasel]

Let me qualify that statement then by saying "properly refinished" is better. :)

I recall someone here saying the dealer sent them to Carcone's. If that's the case, they'll be better than stock.

If you get them replaced, you'll end up with another set of new Mazda wheels that are just as likely to bubble up in a year or two. If you keep this up, you'll eventually end up out of warranty with bubbling wheels.

If you have a reputable shop like Carcone's refinish them, they'll clean them up proper and finish them with a process that won't let this happen again.

I've had a couple sets of wheels done by them and they do amazing work.

[bj21]

Let me qualify that statement then by saying "properly refinished" is better. :)

I recall someone here saying the dealer sent them to Carcone's. If that's the case, they'll be better than stock.

If you get them replaced, you'll end up with another set of new Mazda wheels that are just as likely to bubble up in a year or two. If you keep this up, you'll eventually end up out of warranty with bubbling wheels.

If you have a reputable shop like Carcone's refinish them, they'll clean them up proper and finish them with a process that won't let this happen again.

I've had a couple sets of wheels done by them and they do amazing work.

just out of interest - what would this cost?? rough idea please...if its not too much trouble...$200?

bj21

[SonicBoy]

Visit Carcone's website.

http://www.carcone.com/wheels.htm

I agree with Wild Weasel that these guys do good work. Cost is $125 a wheel to refinish and then some if they have to fix bends or serious curb rash.

They have done tonnes of these wheels for Dealerships. I believe the approach by Mazda at first was to give you new wheels but then change to refinishing.

Acording to Carcone's the problem was with not enough paint being applied down in the ring area where the centre cap goes in. Water gets under the paint and the salt starts to react with the Aluminum bubbling it.

I believe they grind or sandblast the area down then coat the area with some kind of think rough primer substance. They then paint and clear, bake and it comes out factory smooth matching back 100%.

If you go this root, they also powerder coat I believe for the same price of $125 but you'd have to call them and find out.

[bj21]

yeah - i went to the site...looks pretty good

its just tough to spend $125/wheel to refinish an OEM rim...for that kind of money you should start looking at just upgrading your rims...unless the OEM rims are your thing...or you have an older model car and you want to refinish the rims to keep it stock and you can't find replacement OEM rims

bj21

[Wild Weasel]

Yeah, it's definitely a tough sell when paying yourself, but if the dealer is paying, you're home free.

I bought a seriously trashed set of wheels to use for the winter on my Sunfire. Paid $100 and they were probably worth a quarter of that.

Paid the $500 to have them refinished though, and they came out looking mint. Definitely worth the $600 total spend!

[bj21]

sorry to run on but i am assuming that the sandblasting and prep process etc would take care of the minor curb rash - right?

bj21

[SonicBoy]

It would take care of minor curb rash but if serious like a chunk missing, then there is some extra charges. Not only are the wheels refinished but they are re-certified to be true in that no bends.

[doughboyr6]

i got mine all fixed up by the dealer under warranty.....

[mazda lover]

i got mine all fixed up by the dealer under warranty.....

do you mean the dealer had your rims refinished?
if so how long did it take?

[mit-gee-mui]

I'm pretty sure some of the questions raised above can be answered in this thread.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=17276&highlight=wheels+warranty
It talks about replacement vs. refinishing. It mentions Carcones. It gives a few stories of how members got their rims replaced or refinished. It took one of our members 3-4 days for her wheels to be refinished.

:)