I spent about 20 minutes compiling a lengthy post, only to have the forum decide to log me out.
Can't be bothered to write the whole thing out again, so I am going to summarise:
Around last June, I bought some light weight, 2-piece, forged aluminium BC rims.
Expensive and look awesome.
Must have only been on the car for around 4-5 months before I took them off and stored them before the winter set in.
Stored them in a spare bedroom. Snug, dry, warm and under covers.
As a lot of you know, car is never driven in the rain.
Only driven once every week or two.
Car and wheels are cleaned thoroughly after every drive.
Never use water to clean the car.
Itching to get the wheels back on the car.
Finally got them back on the car about 5-6 weeks ago.
Drove the car. Great to get the car out.
Got home and cleaned the car down.
Discovery made....
2 spider legs on a rear wheel.
Clear coat has failed.
Must have only done about 200-300 miles on the wheels before storing them last year.
Very disappointed.
Refurb?
Hell, no.
A lot of companies won't even touch split rims.
Contacted Projex and explained the problem.
Have had many conversations with Stewart (owner) and his 2 sons, James & Matt.
They requested pictures.
I sent them pictures.
They requested I send the wheels to them to inspect.
They collected the wheels about 3-4 weeks ago.
Nothing happening yet. Annoyed with this but can't do anything about it.
I am very OCD with my car.
They know this.
I have several concerns.
They are discussing with the factory.
Stewart requested that I voice my concerns in an email so that he has a history of communications he can share with the factory:
Get one wheel re-done?
I don't want this as it is likely the effected wheel won't match the other 3 wheels.
The wheels were made to order.
I am concerned this problem will happen on the other wheels.
James said that he has had to remind BC to take UK climate into account when making wheels and to protect them more.
He said he has had this issue before and that the factory were using different grades/ quantities of clear coat and protection for different regions.
Stewart said that the factory will not consider re-doing all wheels as only 1 wheel is effected.
The wheels were made to order, so they underwent the same manufacturing process.
I am extremely concerned this problem is likely to happen to the other wheels.
Stewart suggested having a new barrel made.
This won't work as one spider leg is on the dish/ barrel and another spider leg is on the face of the wheel.
Factory are unlikely to make a new set of wheels for me.
There was suggestion of a stone chip causing this.
But the effected areas are not forward-rotating sections of the wheel, so I find it hard to accept that a stone (well, 2 stones at the same time) managed to make contact with these areas while in motion.
The effected wheel was the rear right wheel.
Also, there is no impact marks, so I do not believe it was a stone (or 2).
Clear coat has failed in 2 areas.
Spider legs are pretty much the same length, so presumably started creeping at the same time.
Both spider legs start from under the very small gap between the tip of the spoke and the dish.
Even harder to believe that a stone (or 2) made it under that gap without impacting any visible areas of the wheel first.
Still waiting to find out what is happening.
Communication is unfortunately not ideal with Projex.
Although, Stewart has assured me that they are on my side and will get this sorted. So I am being as patient as I can.
Worse case scenario, I get a refund.
Wanted the wheels on the car last year for the PCS meet but there was a mess up with my order, so I didn't have them in time.
Want them on the car for this year's PCS meet, sorry, "Benz On The Green" event.. but it is looking unlikely again.
Not happy.
Can't leave the wheel as it is as it will look like a cheap aftermarket wheel in no time.
Amazed and disappointed that 2 spider legs could appear on such expensive wheels in such a short space of time.
Wheels were waxed inside and out 3 or 4 times before they even went on the car when I first got the wheels.
They have been cleaned and waxed periodically.
Stored in a warm, dry bedroom.
Spider legs appeared during this time.
Both legs about 3/4 of an inch long, about 1/2 an inch apart.
then you shouldn't blind people.
, seems the wheels are not geared to any weather let alone the UK, get your money back and move onto another wheel. That said, not that many for you to choose from given you are so fussy, but I admire that and your passion for your car.
