18 inch Monza corrosion advice

[GTInMining]

So the GTI I've just bought has the diamond cut monzas, one of which has quite bad corrosion (white worm, as I've seen it called here). I've attached a photo, would a DIY refurb be an option by sanding away the mess and relaquering? (I've little experience). I know there are topics about this on the forum but wanted to get more opinions on whether mine can be saved without professional refurb/painting. Thanks!

[Skilgannon]

I tried exactly what you are thinking of doing on my monzas and it didn't work. You won't get the oem look I'm afraI'd. Even if you put lacquer on them.

The other risk is that when you sand the flat front bits of the alloys you might accidententaly sand the grey inserts too. It happend to me. And it's extremely difficult to mask them off too because of the curvature of the spoke.

To make them look like they are supposed to. You gotta diamond cut them unfortunately. Or you can just powder coat the entire wheels in brilliant silver. Only issue there is the grey inserts will also get powder coated.

[GTInMining]

I tried exactly what you are thinking of doing on my monzas and it didn't work. You won't get the oem look I'm afraI'd. Even if you put lacquer on them.

The other risk is that when you sand the flat front bits of the alloys you might accidententaly sand the grey inserts too. It happend to me. And it's extremely difficult to mask them off too because of the curvature of the spoke.

To make them look like they are supposed to. You gotta diamond cut them unfortunately. Or you can just powder coat the entire wheels in brilliant silver. Only issue there is the grey inserts will also get powder coated.

Thanks, I see what you mean. I was thinking of getting them powder coated some day but for now is there any way of stopping it getting any worse??

[Skilgannon]

They will get worse purely because rain water, grit etc will get lodged between the open lacquer and the metal.

 You can maybe mitigate it by washing them with only water when you wash your car and not use any products as I imagine any wheel cleaning products might get into the lacquer and react and make it worse.

[Tanuie]

I had the same problem with my 18" monza wheels, so sold them on and bought some aftermarket wheels.
To have them re-furbished meant they had to go to be done and i didn't want the car off the road for a week at least, also the problem of having to keep the car on the drive with no wheels on.

[lukemk5gti]

I'm afraid a diy is not possible with the level of corrosion you've shown in that pic.

I have done diy work myself on some minor kerbing as below: (Before and After)
Before:


After:


Last month or so I gave in and had them all diamond cut. If you do proceed with this you have to specifically ask for certain paints or you might not get back exactly what you wanted. Here is my final finish:

[Flyingscotsman]

Those look nice !! Who did the diamond cutting ?

[lukemk5gti]

Those look nice !! Who did the diamond cutting ?

I'm from Dublin, Ireland so got them done in Wicklow but I had untold grief with them and would never recommend their service!

[GTInMining]

Those look nice !! Who did the diamond cutting ?

I'm from Dublin, Ireland so got them done in Wicklow but I had untold grief with them and would never recommend their service!

Nice DIY though! Yes I think you're right, too much corrosion. Will maybe go aftermarket or get them painted in the future

[GTInMining]

I had the same problem with my 18" monza wheels, so sold them on and bought some aftermarket wheels.
To have them re-furbished meant they had to go to be done and i didn't want the car off the road for a week at least, also the problem of having to keep the car on the drive with no wheels on.

Thanks, I'll probably do the same when I fancy a different look for the wheels. I presume they'll still sell for a decent amount even with corrosion?