Diamond Cut Refurb Not Right ??

[OCDaveS4]

So I’ve had the two rear DC alloys refurbished via my local Audi (with Aberdeen Audi generously covering the cost). Local guys put them out to a specialist of course.

But 1) there are some little bumps and one large odd lump and 2) the edge of the DC is a little rough.

The wheel refurb rep was still on site and re the rough edge he said it was “normal” due to the way the lacquer is electrostatically applied” - sounded like BS to me.

Couldn’t take car away without paying but noted the issues which local Audi will take up with them - what do you reckon?

Strange lump (wheel guy has taken a photo back to base) - ignore the dust

Rough edge

Other blemish

Thanks for your views guys!

 

[Scotty75]

So I’ve had the two rear DC alloys refurbished via my local Audi (with Aberdeen Audi generously covering the cost). Local guys put them out to a specialist of course.

But 1) there are some little bumps and one large odd lump and 2) the edge of the DC is a little rough.

The wheel refurb rep was still on site and re the rough edge he said it was “normal” due to the way the lacquer is electrostatically applied” - sounded like BS to me.

Couldn’t take car away without paying but noted the issues which local Audi will take up with them - what do you reckon?

Strange lump (wheel guy has taken a photo back to base) - ignore the dust
View attachment 181295

Rough edge
View attachment 181296
Other blemish
View attachment 181297

Thanks for your views guys!

Not sure what I think about the small blemish but the bump and the rough edge isn't good enough in my opinion .

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[Adam14]

I had a couple of diamond cut alloys refurbed on the S3 and there wasn't a rough edge or bumps, problem you have is the wheels can only be refurbed so many times with them being diamond cut.
So you could ask for that to be rectified but if they don't manage it then you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

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[Philb65]

Looks like a poor refurb to me. The cutting back is the biggest issue as I would want them done properly if they were mine. If Audi have contracted the work out to this so called specialist then it’s Audis problem and they need to make them perfect or replaced if they can’t be cut back again. Hopefully the dealership will take responsibility.

 

[OCDaveS4]

Thanks @Scotty75 @Adam14 and @Philb65 - very helpful.

Anyone else had DC's re-cut and any issues? Waiting now on dealer response.

 

[Adam14]

Thanks @Scotty75 @Adam14 and @Philb65 - very helpful.

Anyone else had DC's re-cut and any issues? Waiting now on dealer response.

No worries As I said in my post had two diamond cut alloys refurbed (recut) on the S3 and had no issues, well apart from the place originally repairing the wrong alloy and missing the one with the huge scrape on it lol!

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[OCDaveS4]

Thanks Adam - the wrong alloy !!! How do these things happen ? better pic (I think) of the rough edge (oops - pic came out a bit large!)

 

[RS3 S.]

The first picture looks to me like they have just rubbed it down with some sort of sandpaper?.

 

[OCDaveS4]

Must be my bad picture - aside from the issues raised, they look absolutely brilliant - very deep glossy paint, super shiny facings - immaculate from 3m away! Definitely had a diamond re-cut. The business in question (which I won't name as it wouldn't be fair until they've responded), do a huge amount of work for Audi and are well respected. Possibly a case of doing too much, and so the QC slips.....

 

[josul]

Blemish - dirt under the coating? The alloy has not been cleaned properly or something has dropped on it in the process of coating. I would be concerned with longevity and it cracking in this area.

Lump - is there two in that photo or just the light? How does it feel behind it? It looks like a paint run as you get with gloss! Not sure on the process can this happen when powder coating?

Cut edge - shoddy.

As above down to Audi to sort.

 

[josul]

It looks like a paint run as you get with gloss! Not sure on the process can this happen when powder coating?

Quick google:

Can powder coat run?
A. Very rarely, because of the way powder is applied to the substrate using an electrostatic charge, the powder goes on uniformly. The powder is then heated in an oven to let the powder flow and cure to a hard and long lasting finish. The end product is drip, run and sag free.

 

[OCDaveS4]

Blemish - dirt under the coating? The alloy has not been cleaned properly or something has dropped on it in the process of coating. I would be concerned with longevity and it cracking in this area.

Lump - is there two in that photo or just the light? How does it feel behind it? It looks like a paint run as you get with gloss! Not sure on the process can this happen when powder coating?

Cut edge - shoddy.

As above down to Audi to sort.

Uh- Oh - you're right it does look like two lumps! Will have to check when I get back to the car park this evening! When I put my finger behind the (large) lump it felt completely flat/smooth - very odd, especially given what you found out (thanks) about powder coating. The wheel guy was adamant it "wasn't product" which ties in. I'm waiting for "it was there already" response - although pre-refurb photos of the wheels don't show anything obvious.

 

[V6_Man]

Thanks @Scotty75 @Adam14 and @Philb65 - very helpful.

Anyone else had DC's re-cut and any issues? Waiting now on dealer response.

Nops, not me. All 4 fine so far.

 

[josul]

I would be doing a little research on drips or talking to another alloy specialist to get their input. What this guy is saying may tie in but that snippet from Google does contradict itself as it states its very rare but then goes on to say the end product is drip free. I took from it that it was possible to get drips. If its smooth on the back then I would be putting my money on a drip (or two) on the front.

If the wheel furb company comes back and says it was already there then thats Audi's issue not yours; they should have a record of ALL damage before sending it off.

Are these issues on just the one alloy?

 

[OCDaveS4]

I would be doing a little research on drips or talking to another alloy specialist to get their input. What this guy is saying may tie in but that snippet from Google does contradict itself as it states its very rare but then goes on to say the end product is drip free. I took from it that it was possible to get drips. If its smooth on the back then I would be putting my money on a drip (or two) on the front.

If the wheel furb company comes back and says it was already there then thats Audi's issue not yours; they should have a record of ALL damage before sending it off.

Are these issues on just the one alloy?

Thanks - rather annoyingly the bump and rough edges are on one wheel, and the blemishes and less bad rough edge on the other !!

 

[Adam14]

If it can't be fixed (bearing in mind diamond cut can only be refurbed a few times) I'd be pushing for a new set of alloys from Audi personally!

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[Orange225]

That looks like a water mark of some sort that has splashed on the wheel before lacquering, Chances are it’ll end up with whiteworm starting from there, whatever it is it’s between the bare metal and the clear lacquer, (high end powder coated for years)

 

[Orange225]

The rough edges are down to the cutter not being sharp enough and the original paint being a bit brittle

 

[OCDaveS4]

Thanks @josul and @Orange225 - I suspected it might have been a blunt cutter - having done a bit of machining when I first started work at Fords (ok so that was in 1978 LOL !!)

Anyway, definitely 2 bumps which points to some form of excess material/defect during refurb.

 

[OCDaveS4]

Well good news in that Audi have said that their wheel refurb specialist will have them back and get them rectified - we'll see I suppose - all very inconvenient but I don't mind if the end result is good! Not until 15th May though - I'll check back in then to let you know how it has gone !!!

 

[OCDaveS4]

Seems like ages but the rear alloys are in to Audi for a second go at getting the DC refurb right! I’m hoping for a better colour match as well cos I noticed the refurbished ones were quite “silver” compared to the grey of the front ones.

IF it doesn’t go well this time I reckon they’ll run out of depth to cut

Fingers crossed - if it’s all good I’m gonna give all 4 wheels a nice Gtechniq C5 coating

 

[Scotty75]

Keep the faith , they need to sort your wheels or this time round or it will cost them far more to replace . I'm sure it will end well.

C5 is a magnificent product , my wheels were so ridiculously easy to clean at the weekend , it was staggering . Look forward to the photos Dave

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[OCDaveS4]

So they're back! Much better job - nearly perfect - and a much better colour match after I suggested taking one of the front wheels with them to match against!

Coincidentally the tyre pressure warning came on (1st time since I've had the car) and indeed one front was at 37PSI and the other 34PSI. Both the refurbed ones were at 34PSI..........I've put them back to what it says on the door edge for 19" 39PSI front, and 36PSI rear and re-set the thingy !

 

[Scotty75]

Happy days Dave glad it's sorted for you

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