motorhed

The Certified 2014 RX350 I bought back in February had some blotches show up on all 4 "Painted" wheels. The dealer did the brakes on all 4 wheels before we bought it. I contend that they sprayed the wheels with a cleaner and left it on too long. When I washed the car a month later, (We had all the rain in my area) the blotches showed up. Called the dealer 300 miles away and they said they could fix them in a day....Yeah right. They look powder coated to me in the silver chrome finish. So does anyone know if they are painted or powder coated?
I was told by the salesman that the "Detailer" said to use some elbow grease and a PLASTIC SCRUB PAD! I take the plastic scrub pad to mean a Scotchbrite!

mandyfig

The wheels are painted. Multiple coats.

Barry2522

Scotchbrite is like sandpaper dont use that . Looks like brake dust to me . Yes they are painted . Try some wheel cleaner made to remove brake dust .

motorhed

That's why I was surprised when the guy said that. Anyone know the color code for the paint?

Barry2522

There is no code for that paint . We have tried to make that color in are body shop and it is not possible to match .
you cant get it in a spray can either . It has some strange properties about it . That stuff will come off .You could also try
some fine rubbing compound and hand rub all those areas.

motorhed

I tried some Maguires cleaner wax and it didn't touch it. Your comment about the color match has me concerned. he dealer said to bring it back and they would fix it in a day. I can JUST imagine what I would leave with. They would probably tape off the tires and rattle can the wheels. I am going to call and talk to the general manager and if not satisfied, I will call LEXUS and rattle their cage big time.I want what I paid for.

JDR76

I wouldn't worry. I had my IS wheels refinished at the dealer. They actually contract a wheel specialist to come in and refinish them. It was done in about 6 hours and the work was incredible. They removed some curb rash and repainted them and they looked like new.

If you're uncomfortable with having it done at the dealership you can contact a mobile wheel specialist to repair/repaint them for you. They typically cost about $100 per wheel. You can get a good idea for the best ones by looking at Facebook and Yelp reviews.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Cleaner wax won't do anything. Brake dust (at least some of it) should come off with soap or decent wheel cleaner. These are painted wheels with clear coat so it's not like everything sticks to it. If it doesn't come off I would definitely go to Lexus.

Barry2522

Check with a detail shop they have a chemical that takes brake dust off . They do it every day,they know what works .

motorhed

The staining is not from brake dust. It is from some kind of chemical cleaner that was sprayed on the wheels and left on too long.

charleston

Did they get to repair them?

motorhed

No, I haven't taken it back to carlsbad. It is 300 miles one way through the "Belly of the Beast, Los Angeles" to get there. My concern is they will do a half assed paint job on them. I am considering contacting Lexus corporate about it.

charleston

My 2014 has this same issue but looks much worse. The finish must be very very sensitive which is odd for an area that involves such heavy duty heat, chemicals, dust etc.