Yes, please put some pictures up.
It’s not unusual to get issues with diamond cut alloys as they get older, although I’d say white worm corrosion is more common than lacquer peel and often happens when the wheels are between 2-3 years old. The shiny bare diamond cut / polished metal surface doesn’t provide a very good ‘key’ for the lacquer coating to adhere to, hence why issues such as lacquer peel and white worm corrosion happen. Some harsh alloy wheel cleaning products can also damage the lacquer coating on diamond cut alloys.
If your car is still under the 3 year factory warranty, you could try claiming that the lacquer peel is due to a manufacturing defect and see if Seat will replace them; nothing ventured, nothing gained as the saying goes. However, be aware that if you’ve got any ‘self inflicted” damage to your wheels (e.g. kerb damage) or stone chip damage to the lacquered surface, Seat are likely to refuse replacements under warranty. Similarly, if wheels have evidence of previous repairs, warranty claims will be denied. If you get them refurbished, you’re probably looking at a cost of £90 - £100 plus VAT per wheel for a top quality refurb of a 19” diamond wheel from the likes of a company such as Lepsons (
www.lepsons.com). Be aware that some places charge extra to remove and remount the tyre too.
I had a couple of diamond cut alloys on my last VW succumb to white worm corrosion when the car was 2.5 years old. The dealer took photos to submit to VW to authorise replacement wheels under warranty. VW authorised replacements, although that was six years ago and since Dieselgate, VW certainly seem to be taking a much firmer line on non-mechanical and non-electrical warranty claims; I think dealers now now take readings of paint / lacquer thickness on wheels for evidence of any previous repairs, so Seat are probably applying a similar, firmer approach too.
I really wish VAG would stop fitting diamond cut alloys to the majority of their performance cars. IMO, they’re more trouble than they’re worth. They have great ‘bling’ appeal to some potential customers when the car’s sitting in the dealer’s showroom, but given the choice of diamond cut or painted/powder coated wheels, I’d take the painted/powder coated wheels every time for the following reasons;
- the finish on diamond cut alloys isn’t particularly durable, especially if they’re on a car used as a daily driver during the winter months when there’s a greater risk of the lacquered finish getting damaged by road grit / salt. If this happens, water can get under the lacquer layer and you’ve got the ideal conditions for the onset of white worm corrosion.
- diamond cut alloys are more expensive to refurbish than alloys with a painted / powder coated finish. They also can usually only be refurbished a maximum of twice. The refurb process involves cutting a thin layer of metal from the wheel’s face on a diamond cutting lathe, and more than two refurbs, the structural integrity of the wheel can be compromised.
- diamond cut alloys seem to be easily damaged by poorly maintained tyre changing equipment or inexperienced tyre fitters than wheels with a painted / powder coated finish.
