98c2s

I've had this set of wheels for about 10 months. The HRE 542r with the black center. The paint has started to come off completely! I never used degreaser or any heavy liquids to wash them. Does anyone know of a company who will paint them again in the MD, DC, Virgina area!

Air Kuul TT

Yikes.... I would call HRE and send them the pics. If you bought it 10 months ago surely there must be something they can do. Good Luck.

rcwelch

I 2nd what Tony said about contacting HRE and sending them the pictures...Are they indeed only 10 months old or did you get them from someone?

AOW162435

By the highly-polished finish visible underneath, my first suspicion would be that the previous owner simply painted these. Unless of course you purchased the wheels directly from HRE. In my experience, polished aluminum and paint are not keen on a long term relationship

Andreas

p_carfan

Exzactly.....Your going to prep that surface.

Air Kuul TT

Okay... I think you guys nailed it! Don't call HRE then I was assuming that you bought the rims directly from HRE 10 months ago (please correct us if we're wrong.)

I have HRE 540s on my 993TT powder coated center and polished lips... and they are solid (no peeling, no chipping... nada.)

Mark in Baltimore

I think AOW is right on. I'd be amazed if HRE painted the centers (they anodize wheels and paint to order) without proper preparation, but, then again, I've seen plenty of Chrysler's with paint that has lifted off in sheets that resemble a history of continental drift.

Did you use a pressure washer? Did you buy these from HRE or an original owner?

98c2s

I purchased these wheels brand new from the wheel Boutique. They took 5 weeks to be delivered and came in the original HRE boxes with HRE reciepts and everything. Lets just say that I have had the wheels for 2 years. Would that make it normal for the paint to start coming off? I even took the wheels off for the winter season here in Maryland. I use only car wash shampoo and low pressure water to wash them. NO pressure washing ever!

David in LA

You should contact HRE with the serial numbers and get the facts on whether these really were painted wheels when they left the factory. If so then HRE should warrantee these and given their repution there should be no issue in getting a satisfactory outcome.

However, AFAIK the only black centers that HRE does is anodized and IIRC that is on centers with a machined surface, not polished or chromed (your wheels look like high polish beneather the black). The paint on properly prepped and painted wheels (ie OEM Porsche wheels or even my Gemballas for example) should not come off for many, many years....and certainly should not be peeling off like that.

Those look like that someone somewhere took a shortcut.

CentralCoastC4S

I've got the identical HRE's with full polish, I've been considering having the centers painted to black (car is black) but now I'm wondering. I suppose it's possible to have the proper prep done and powder coat them but I wonder if it just makes more sense to sell them as is and buy something closer to what I'm looking for...After hearing 98c2s's problem, I'm having second thougths about doing anything to these wheels..
They are great wheels and seem very strong, does anyone know about their weight relative to other 18 inch wheels? They seem heavy to me but it just could be me.

Mark in Baltimore

David,

HRE does offer painted wheel centers.

http://www.hrewheels.com/pricing/

David in LA

I stand corrected I'm actually surprised that they would offer a polished painted finish...I would think the more convervative way to get a "shiny" finish woud be to powder coat them. The polished finish beneath the paint is troubling IMHO

Mark in Baltimore

Yeah, paint and shiny surfaces are not destined for a lasting matrimony; that old paint will always have some wanderlust.

98c2s

I sent HRE the pictures and brief message. I will inform everyone of there response as soon as they reply. Thanks for all the help.

TRINITONY

u can also call Jack at Euro Pros.