DRIVERS ASK, TOM ANSWERS: EXTERIOR

PROBLEMS SOLVED

Dear    Tom,

Q I have stock rims on my 2005 Nissan Quest, and they look like

something is eating away at the alloy. I live in Washington state; do you think
it’s the de-icer used by the road service during the winter? Is there anything I
can do to curtail the corrosion and repair the damage?

Marty—Omak, Washington

Marty,

A What you described is quite common. Aluminum alloy wheels are

affected by road salt, liquid sodium, and calcium chloride. The clear coat on
the aluminum wheels breaks down, resulting in corrosion. The only thing you
can do to stop it is to have the wheels buffed and clear-coated again. An
expensive proposition to say the least. Get an estimate from a body shop and
then decide if it’s worth it to you. Should you decide to do it, ask the body
shop about a special polyurethane coat which is tougher and stands up to the
road-clearing chemicals.

Good    luck.