Deterioration of center Blue Laurel wheel caps
04-17-2012, 09:57 PM
#1
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Deterioration of center Blue Laurel wheel caps
I have just bought a new set of wheel caps for my CLK. The present OE articles have developed white (corrosion?) marks around the outer silver ring.
Is this a common issue with these caps?
Is this a common issue with these caps?
Last edited by Glyn M Ruck; 04-17-2012 at 10:03 PM.
04-17-2012, 10:17 PM
#2
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19 C300
Sounds like it could be galvanic corrosion fairly common with aluminum parts touching another metal...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion
Are you using one of those acidic wheel cleaning products? That could be the culprit as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic_corrosion
Are you using one of those acidic wheel cleaning products? That could be the culprit as well.
04-17-2012, 10:40 PM
#3
MBworld Guru
The problem was with the older style center caps that had a spring steel retainer that would react with the aluminum wheel. The newer ones are just plastic, so no worries.
04-17-2012, 11:21 PM
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19 C300
04-18-2012, 09:38 AM
#5
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My caps are plastic only. I have posted on the w204 forum as well due to sample size there & it seems common. I don't expect it on a garage queen like mine with a mere 14,000 miles on the clock.
I can't vouch for the first 9000 miles on my car so maybe aggressive alkali wheel cleaners had been used. The white spots are almost like a delamination of the coating.
I can't vouch for the first 9000 miles on my car so maybe aggressive alkali wheel cleaners had been used. The white spots are almost like a delamination of the coating.
04-18-2012, 12:54 PM
#6
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I had my set replaced (under warranty) last year for my ML.I spoke to the parts man and he said about every 2 weeks he has a set he has to replace for someone. 
04-18-2012, 10:20 PM
#7
MBworld Guru
Odd, I had the plastic ones on my W163 ML for about 6 years and 100K miles with no problems - and I did a lot of off-road driving and used a pressure washer to clean the wheels.
