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I purchased a Certified 2017 RX in March. Had 34k miles. A few months later I noticed the wheels were shedding a clear, almost like a thin plastic. I can take my fingernail and scratch the coating right off. I took it to my local dealer (I purchased it at another dealer) and they were perplexed but said it wasn’t covered under warranty. Could the first dealership have sprayed some type of clear coat on the wheels? If yes, what purpose does it serve? Do I peel the coating off? And is dealer #2 just angry because I didn’t buy it there? (I bought it at a dealership 2 hours away). Any advice?
Thank you!
Last edited by ChasRX; Dec 16, 2020 at 05:01 PM.
Reason: Changed year
The wheels are likely clear coated from the factory. The shiny machined sections are raw aluminum and road salt, chemicals and other debris would corrode the aluminum very quickly without it. Could be they were exposed to an industrial type cleaner that had a reaction to the clear coat. Just one guess.
Thanks. I’ve been the only one to wash it since March, and I’m in SC, so no snow. I’ve looked at other 2017s and they don’t appear to have a clear coat. Should I peel off the clear coat, and any idea why Lexus wouldn’t cover it? It’s still under the 4 year warranty.
Originally Posted by Verndog08
The wheels are likely clear coated from the factory. The shiny machined sections are raw aluminum and road salt, chemicals and other debris would corrode the aluminum very quickly without it. Could be they were exposed to an industrial type cleaner that had a reaction to the clear coat. Just one guess.
Thanks. I’ve been the only one to wash it since March, and I’m in SC, so no snow. I’ve looked at other 2017s and they don’t appear to have a clear coat. Should I peel off the clear coat, and any idea why Lexus wouldn’t cover it? It’s still under the 4 year warranty.
My new to me 2017 has the same wheels and no issue. You can't see the clear coat unless there is some problem with it. Just like your car has a clear coat on it but you don't see it. I'm not saying road salt did this, I'm saying the clear coat is protect against corrosion like road salt will do. Could also be bad luck and some wheels were not prepped properly before coating and some peel and most don't.
Yes! IMO Lexus should cover this. I would stand firm on that with them if this was me.
I purchased a Certified 2017 RX in March. Had 34k miles. A few months later I noticed the wheels were shedding a clear, almost like a thin plastic. I can take my fingernail and scratch the coating right off. I took it to my local dealer (I purchased it at another dealer) and they were perplexed but said it wasn’t covered under warranty. Could the first dealership have sprayed some type of clear coat on the wheels? If yes, what purpose does it serve? Do I peel the coating off? And is dealer #2 just angry because I didn’t buy it there? (I bought it at a dealership 2 hours away). Any advice?
Thank you!
By any chance did you or a detailer use some kind of chemical to clean your tires that may have gotten on the wheels? I had the same wheels on my 2016 RX, and the clear coat never peeled off. I live in NC which the winters are mild so not exposed to road Brine for long. I spray it off asap including the under carriage. If it was my RX, and the dealer won't cover it under warranty. I would take it somewhere they do clear coat and have it remove and spray a new coat on for protection.
Wheels a peelin’
