7 replies to this topic

[Mikalv]

Hi guys. Just fitted a couple of Minilife 5x12 Diamond Cut on my mini:

 

 

I bought them from the local classic Mini dealer and upon further investigation the information on Minispares says that these must be cleaned very very regularly. With what? Soap and water? Rim cleaner? Anyone have any experience with these wheels, are they as fragile as it seems?

 

 

[1984mini25]

Not fragile, but any wheel that is diamond cut is basicity just bare alloy (although shiny) with lacquer as protection, although some aren't.

 

The problems then being is lacquer or any sort of paint doesn't like shinny surfaces to adhere to, also if it's chipped or even if it's the really cheep sort that brakes down and turns yellow you leave the bare alloy underneath open to moisture, road salt in winter etc. and inevitably corrosion.

 

Also unlike a painted wheel were if you get a bit of damage, curbing or corrosion, on a diamond cut wheel you can't simply rub the damaged area down and re paint/lacquer, instead you have to have the whole wheel recut.

Edited by 1984mini25, 23 May 2013 - 07:47 PM.

[rally1380]

Yeh... kinda agree with the above post.

 

Had these wheels years ago and after a while the laquer on the rim bubbled up and the diamond cut surface did start to corrode a little.  In all honesty it looks way worse than it actually is.  You have options if it does happen though.

 

1 - wait til it happens to all the wheels and get them all recut and laquered.

2 - wait til it happens to all the wheels and get them all painted/ powder coated complete so saving any rim issues in the future

3 - Strip off the laquer on the diamond cut bits and flat and polish them using a metal polish and keep them clean and polished (alot of hard work but will look goooood!!!)

 

 

Just look after them, keeping them free from salt and you should be ok for a while.

[Mikalv]

Thanks a lot. No driving during winter, trying to keep away from rain as well so I think I'll be fine :)

 

The laquer on the rim, is it just clear normal laquer or a special type?

[1984mini25]

Thanks a lot. No driving during winter, trying to keep away from rain as well so I think I'll be fine :)

 

The laquer on the rim, is it just clear normal laquer or a special type?

some use just 'normal' car body lacquer (some better than others) and some like the place I used to work for used a powdercoat clear witch had to be baked on.

[Mikalv]

 

Thanks a lot. No driving during winter, trying to keep away from rain as well so I think I'll be fine :)

 

The laquer on the rim, is it just clear normal laquer or a special type?

some use just 'normal' car body lacquer (some better than others) and some like the place I used to work for used a powdercoat clear witch had to be baked on.

 

Any idea what the minispares/minilife rim use?

[1984mini25]

 

 

Thanks a lot. No driving during winter, trying to keep away from rain as well so I think I'll be fine :)

 

The laquer on the rim, is it just clear normal laquer or a special type?

some use just 'normal' car body lacquer (some better than others) and some like the place I used to work for used a powdercoat clear witch had to be baked on.

 

Any idea what the minispares/minilife rim use?

 

hard to say without looking, but at a guess painted and lacquered as that's what most aftermarket wheels are.

[minimaxie]

As long as you clean them using something like Dodo juice shampoo with warm water. Or use Iron X to clean brake dust off then seal the wheels with some rim wax such as Poorboys, you'll be fine. It will also preserve the life of them