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Center cap deterioration: caused by wheel cleaning chemicals
Good morning!
I recently replaced my center caps which were an embarrassment:
I realize that MB likely uses the same caps for cars priced from $30,000 - $300,000, so I was not surprised they were plastic-fantastic with a laughable "clear coat." I just want to know how to prevent it from happening again. 3 of the 4 were toast, the 4th, which is a different part number and slightly different construction was in reasonably good shape.
This is one of a long and growing list of parts that Mercedes is cheaping out on.
Look at it as a regular maintenance item to be replaced every 2-4 years depending on your experience. Similar to rusting lug bolts and cheap factory floor mats that develop holes after 18 months.
Ebay knock-offs, $16 for a set of 4. They look identical to OEM. Black version. Oh, replica wheels too, really nice quality @$150/ea from The Wheelership
Last edited by E55Greasemonkey; Oct 19, 2020 at 01:10 PM.
For years the only cap was just molded silver plastic. The blue and black ones with the lettering arrived in the 2000s and it should be obvious they are a little more fragile. Here in the Southwest the sun by itself can kill them in short order. It’s simply ridiculous to complain about quality or, frankly, to embark with a plan to make them last forever. Brake dust itself is probably corrosive enough to hurt them. The new ones are replaceable items like windshield wipers.
The secret to car care is wax and frequent water only cleaning. The only chemicals I’ve ever used is bug and tar remover. There was a time when Mercedes owners manuals specified cleaning wheels weekly.
I don't use cleaning products on my wheels any more. The akebonos produce hardly any brake dust and just a hose and water (pressure washer) keeps the inside and outside of the wheels looking like new. I think having only 5 spokes makes it easier as well since I can reach inside and wipe them down with a microfiber towel. I do the same with the inside and outside of my exhaust pipes. The details count, especially the exhaust, when viewing it from the back, you'd be surprised.
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