Fuchs Wheel Problem

I spent last week-end away and my son-in-law thought he would treat me to a surprise and took my car for a hand wash at [what he believed] was an expert detailing firm. Grrrr.
Imagine someone else driving my pride and joy. He meant well but to add insult to injury the protective coating in the rims seems to have been affected and there is a certain degree of disintergration with the whitish stuff starting to be visible.
I contacted the firm and they told me they use a degreaser for the wheels. I complained and am intending taking the car in tomorrow. Two questions:
1. If they used a degreaser, is it possible that it caused the problem, and
2. How does one renew the protective coating.
Your input would be appreciated.

Jack K
82 SC Targa

PS. My ex son-in-law is hurting nearly as much as I am!

This happened to a 911 I used to own; it was an 88 Carrera with 21k miles and flawless Fuchs; the dealer had just hired a new lot boy and he used the wheel cleaner they reserve for BMWs, which are notorious for brake dust. The anodization stained white all over the car, which I didn't notice until I got home. I was sure they were ruined and would have to be reanodized by Wheel Enhancement (about $750 for all four), and the dealership agreed to pay. But I took it there two days later and their detail guy was able to remove the stains with some very fine polish. I would first try rubbing a little Vaseline hard on the rims and see if that takes it out. If that doesn't work, try some P21S Metal Finish Restorer polish.

Vic
88 Carrera

Jack,

I hope the degreaser they used wasn't Castrol! It can destroy anodizing on aluminum wheels ... found that out, rather painfully, on my GT mountain bike!

If it was Castrol or some equally damaging product, I suggest you may be in for a battle in small claims court ... properly refinishing the Fuchs can be $150-$200 per wheel!

If the damage is minimal and barely visible at this point, you should remove all four wheels immediately, and wash thoroughly, then rub down the Fuchs with Vaseline and soft polishing rags ... if the damage to the anodizing seems to go away, I suggest leaving a light coat of Vaseline on the 'bare' anodized parts of the wheels overnight, minimum, but a week would be better! It will catch bugs, and dust/dirt, but the preservative power to the pores in the anodized finish and underlying base metal is very important!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa