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Gadget Man · 11-04-2011, 11:38 AM

I just had a new set of Michelin's installed on my coach. The tire shop that did the installation was not the most professional looking or cleanest in the world, but they had excellent prices. Remember the motto, "you get what you pay for"?

The day after the installation, I went out to adjust the tire pressures according to Michelin's inflation chart. While doing so, I noticed some deep scratches on my front aluminum AccuRide wheels, that weren't there prior to the installation. Some looked like they could have been from careless use of the air gun, while some of the others looked like they were scrape marks from being slid face down on the concrete.

If these wheels were not coated, then these type scratches could probably just be polished out. But according to AccuRide, their wheels are coated with a patented process they call "AccuShield", and any heavy polishing of the wheels will destroy the coating. This causes two problems: the wheels will now turn dull if they are not polished on a regular basis; polishing the wheels voids the AccuShield warranty. I personally love the fact that that I only have to use soap and water on my wheels to maintain their shiny appearance, so removing the coating is not something I want to do.

I took photos of the damage and mailed them along with a letter to the general manager of the tire shop. Surprisingly, he had his shop manager call me within a matter of days, who said they would take care of the damage.

They sent out a third party wheel expert yesterday to look at my wheels. After spitting on his hands and rubbing it into the scratches (I kid you not...), the "expert" said he could polish out the scratches and re-coat the wheels. After asking him a multitude of questions about his process, he said it would be a spot treatment only, that the entire wheel would not be re-coated. He then admitted that the treated area would look different than the rest of the wheel, but it would eventually dull and blend in over time. That wasn't good enough for me.

I called the shop manager and explained my reservations about his expert's ability to make my wheels look like they did before, and kindly asked him to just replace both wheels. I told him that I take great pride in the appearance of my coach and did not want a shoddy fix. He hesitantly agreed to buy me new wheels.

Moral of the story, watch the installers whenever having your wheels removed for any reason, and check the condition of your wheels before leaving the shop. This could have been much worse for me, as the shop could have just told me to pound sand, as I had no actual proof that they did the damage. Luckily for me, they turned out to be an ethical business.

Craig

ottffss · 11-04-2011, 12:02 PM

Glad it all worked out and your's are words to the wise "inspect don't expect." That shop really did an unexpected "make good" which cost them a bundle.

As an aside, just for reference on maintaining Accu-Shield/AccuRide powder coated wheels.

Accu-Shield Cleaning (simple answer is NO BRUSHES)

Accu-Shield Repair

Gadget Man · 11-04-2011, 03:35 PM

Thanks ottffss, I wasn't aware that there was a scratch repair procedure for these wheels. I will definitely file it away.

In the case of my current wheels, there are also some small dents, which of course couldn't be repaired with the noted procedure.

Thanks.

Craig

Mike Canter · 11-07-2011, 07:17 AM

I carry a square of old carpet in my MH so if the wheels have to be pulled off then they can be layed down on the carpet. When I had my new tires installed that was my biggest fear that they would scratch my Accu-Shield wheels but the Jack Calhoun Tire Company had carpet already there to protect the wheels.

Billieg · 11-07-2011, 09:14 AM

Good advice wish I had learned this a month ago. Had new tires put on and when I got home both front wheels had big scratches in them. Call the tire place and was told to pound sand....

Mr_D · 11-09-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billieg

Good advice wish I had learned this a month ago. Had new tires put on and when I got home both front wheels had big scratches in them. Call the tire place and was told to pound sand....

Lots of tire places have signs up denying responsibility for damage to wheels. Not sure if that's legal or not but they get away with it.

Billieg · 11-09-2011, 11:02 PM

Well, they lost my business which has been a few thousand dollars this year alone. Plus the bad word of mouth advertising I will now give them. I mean to put 3 big scratches in beautiful polished wheels is just not right. I talked to the owner while they did the work because I know him so well so I wasn't watching. Shocking to find out he doesn't give a damn about it.... Not a smart business move...

Dutch Star Don · 11-10-2011, 11:10 PM

Craig P.......It sounds like you're getting everything fixed. Just for info, Accuride wheels that have the coating will say Accushield on the wheel. If it just says Accuride, yours can be polished.

Gadget Man · 11-11-2011, 12:06 PM

Don,

My wheels definitely bear the AccuShield label.

Well now the tire shop is peeing backwards. A week ago they asked me for the Freightliner part number for my wheels so they could order them. Yesterday they contacted me and asked me to verify the date my wheels were manufactured and asked me to fax them a copy of the AccuShield warranty. The warranty period is for five years. Since my coach is over five years old, they no longer seem willing to replace them. I will not allow their "expert" to spot treat the wheels. They said they will get back with me sometime next week and render a decision.

I may end up trying to repair them myself (my son's back is better than mine...) with some polishing compound or with the repair instructions provided by ottffss.

Neither method will remove the small dents the wheels suffered, so I may get the shaft in this after all.

To be continued...

Craig

ottffss · 11-11-2011, 12:23 PM

Major bummer dude....

Seems they were trying to play the warranty game somehow to save a couple bucks for themselves.....

If they end up just paying the "expert" I'd let them have at it... Seems either way you are (rightly) not going to be happy but at least they paid for the elbow grease and some form of 'repair." You can touch it up yourself if you think that will help...

I've got the popcorn brewing and await the verdict.... Best of luck...