Oh noes! Black RPF1 fading...
 

So past few times I have washed my car I starting to notice that the spokes in the middle are fading from black to like orangish silver. Anyone else that has the black rpf1s notice this as well. Theres not that many of you out there so I dont think ill get totally enough feedback. EDIT You cant see the fading unless you are like looking at the wheel via within 3ft. Its on the forward and aft side of the spoke.

I stepped on my camera at the lake so getting a good picture will be aids to get.

I believe the cause for fading is...
1. Fading is due to massive heat from the brakes. I do drive it like I stole it, even to the mini mart for a Red Bull.

2. Fading is due to a color defect.

Either way im pretty bummed ill soon have stripped wheels.

I would contact enkei

Dont know where I should start. Sending them a email is like asking Mean Joe for his jersey without a Coke.

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...37&postcount=2


Call em up

Do you think it's fading... or rather, that it's the first time you've noticed it from thin paint coverage?

I have owned a few sets of painted and powder-coated wheels... had never experienced a "fading" problem before. My '06 M Coupe painted wheels didn't fade after 2 track days, where temps get way higher than any street driving.

However, I have seen thin paint coverage on the sides of the spokes, as the painter didn't shoot his gun sideways enough on the spokes. Check your other wheels/spokes, and see what you come up with...

So much for paying for high dollar rims. Been there done that. My buddy had the coat flake on his Advans and they repaired them but it took four months :-(

What are you cleaning them with? ...some wheel cleaners are strong acid...and they raise hell with the paint after a while

That is very true. I just use car wash soap.

damn it dan, stop beating me to the punch.
+1 on the what are you using to clean your wheels question.

I used wheel cleaner on my OEM wheels but I'm scared to death to use it on my Silver Advans.

Nothing here from another Black RPF1 owner. You only notice it when you are washing it, possibly the water makes it look like its fading?

ahh this isnt comforting!!! lol

another black owner here.. nothing major here ive had them for a couple of months even drove em in part of the winter. but then again i just use soap and water never used the wheel cleaner

Well seeing how they come from Enkei black I doubt they fault on the powdercoating coverage.

Turtle wax car wash soap.

I noticed it a few days ago when I was getting down and cleaning the wheels inside and out. You can visually see it when its dry. Last night few us met up for burgers and you could tell while we all stood around.

Now I dont think I reach a peak caliper/rotar tempture you would on a lapping day. But I do push the braking point in the car to the extreme. My extreme could be your grocery getter driving? So its all subjective what you want to call it. All I know is I abuse them brake pads like a red headed topgear, I mean step child.

lol. :lol:

what do you use to wash them? i used a sponge before on my black wheels and that faded them a bit to i switched to microfiber and it's better now. also, no wheel cleaner, just car wash soap.

oh and: pics or it didn't happen. ;)

Hey Mike...how about read the thread LIKE A BOSS, stated it already...n00b. Microfiber only, if you dont use microfiber your a crumbum.

If you would do work in the first place at work instead of postwhoring you could have seen a Dick's. :lol2:

Its a bit hard to try to figure out the close up settings of the camera with the LCD screen is broken :( I guess thats karma for talking to some girls in bikinis at Greenlake. Than stepping on my camera as I shifted my weight. :nono:

Brake dust maybe? I wash my wheels inside out every week and I noticed my black calipers and rotor hubs kind of have the color you describe and it does not wash off.

Its in the middle of the spoke where it passes over the caliper though. Brake dust would go all over the wheel not one central location.

piiiiiiiiiiiics

word... this thead is useless without pics.


i'm sure enkei will replace the wheel if you contact them... that sounds like a manufacturers defect.

Good point. But the brake pads are some what close to the center of the wheel. Definitely not saying it is as much as just another idea. I'd definitely post up some pics and contact Enkei.

I did not take the time to wash my wheels. Just little water and my finger to remove the brake dust. But this gives you the idea. There is a minor scratch there I know. Dont really care. And yes they are pitted pretty bad. I drive my car not baby it.

https://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7120/wheelfade.jpg

that's good that you drive it but you should wash it too... :)


jk


that definitely doesn't look normal, how long have you had them? I'm not sure since I don't own these wheels bit is there a warranty?

During the work week I dont ever wash my car cause its just back and forth not trying to look good. Suck it.

Actually those wheels have only been on the front for a month and a half since I installed my struts. The rears look the same. So thats the fade from just about a month of hard driving.

But I have had the wheels for about 5-6 months+/-

I haven't had any problems with fading. I get a coating of nasty brake dust from the track pads that I run all the time and I did 4 track weekends with mine. Maybe you just got a flawed set. The coating is a little rougher on the sides of the spokes, but mine has been like that from the beginning. I've found the same thing with my gold ones.