17" OEM Wheels Center Caps Paint Coming Off

[dman3931]

My OEM Wheels Center caps are losing paint like its their job. There is this weird yellowish color underneath which looks terrible. Is anyone else have this problem? Is it worth the effort to repaint and and try and seal somehow, or should i just by new center caps. It is happening to some degree on all wheels though some have aggressively lost paint in the past few months. Not quite sure what started it as I don't see this issue on alot of other A4s.

[af1master692]

mine has the same problem you can sand and paint maybe, or just buy new center caps

[bengtc]

The only place I can find them to buy are from the dealer and they are like 60 bucks a piece.

[coccodri]

i have the same problem. my wheels are trash though

[dman3931]

I mean, I only use them as winter wheels and am meaning to throw on the summer set very soon, but they do look very gross right now. Maybe ill just wait and deal with it another season.

[nathannc]

I'm having the exact same problem with my caps as well. They were starting to wear around the outside edge and now they are peeling on the surface. It might have been related to the fact that I took a pressure washer to the wheels for the first time. The good news is that I found that ECSTuning is selling them for about $5 a piece and they are OEM caps. ECS claims they are for the 16" wheels, but I think the 16" caps have the exact same part number as the caps for the 17" wheels.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-..._Cap/ES253038/

[Mordaine]

if you still have your warranty you can get them replaced for free. i went and showed them mine when i had the 17"s and they replaced them for free under warranty. try that

[B72.0T]

I'm having the exact same problem with my caps as well. They were starting to wear around the outside edge and now they are peeling on the surface. It might have been related to the fact that I took a pressure washer to the wheels for the first time. The good news is that I found that ECSTuning is selling them for about $5 a piece and they are OEM caps. ECS claims they are for the 16" wheels, but I think the 16" caps have the exact same part number as the caps for the 17" wheels.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-..._Cap/ES253038/

Good find, and also, I took my car in to the dealership to have some warranty work done, after I got my car back, all four of my wheel caps were YELLOW as OP stated. And Mordaine you think I can get it replaced under warranty? The service writter said to me "I've washed porsches, mercedes, audi, vw and it doesnt happen that easily" Like wtf?? I said, Sir, when I brought my car in here they were perfectly fine, and I know you guys washed my car (because thats what they always do when they service it) So I just walked out...

EDIT: nathannc, why does it say 16" on the ECS website?

[Mordaine]

Good find, and also, I took my car in to the dealership to have some warranty work done, after I got my car back, all four of my wheel caps were YELLOW as OP stated. And Mordaine you think I can get it replaced under warranty? The service writter said to me "I've washed porsches, mercedes, audi, vw and it doesnt happen that easily" Like wtf?? I said, Sir, when I brought my car in here they were perfectly fine, and I know you guys washed my car (because thats what they always do when they service it) So I just walked out...

EDIT: nathannc, why does it say 16" on the ECS website?

yeah its pretty shanty for them to do that to you. I guess it may depend on dealer. I told them about it and it falls under the warranty, well thats what they told me when they replaced them.

[dman3931]

I will definitely try to get them replaced as I still do have a warranty, otherwise, if anyone can confirm about the ECS tuning 16" caps fit the 17", that is definitely a reasonable solution if the dealer won't take care of it. Thanks

[DocJ]

the ones from ECS i think fit both the b6 16" wheels and b7 17" wheeels

[B72.0T]

I need a definite answer though. I'm going in to have my flap motor replaced and I will ask if the caps are covered under warranty. If not ECS it is.

[bengtc]

I would also like to know if they for sure fit, mine are turning yellow too

[Giantsfan10]

i have paint flaking off the wheels, does anyone have this issue? mine are flaking in where the large spokes meet the rim. 2-3" chunks are flaking off.

[scottns]

Mine were doing the same thing and I got them replaced under warranty (if you still have it)

[Mordaine]

well being in afghanistan i cant send any of you my spare set ( mint condition ) but if any one of you need a set in about 3 monhts, ill be happy to get a set sent out to you.

[B7PhiGam]

Same thing is happening on mine. Ebay has a crap ton

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...item27b13a1aef

$26.00 bucks shipped

[B72.0T]

^ Or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_2928wt_1124

... But I asked my service advisor and he said ITS NOT covered under warranty... Already ordered from ebay :(

[dman3931]

Try to stay away from anything coming directly from china via ebay, but I see your point. I think I might see if I can still get the warranty hookup, and otherwise, ECS tuning it is.

Same thing is happening on mine. Ebay has a crap ton

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...item27b13a1aef

$26.00 bucks shipped

[B72.0T]

^Only thing concerning us is that on ECS it says for a 16" wheel...

[nathannc]

Has anyone called the dealership or ECS to see what the part number is for the 17" cap? That should answer all the questions. Unfortunately I'm on conference calls all morning so I can't call myself.

[colt45]

the ones at ECS look like they will fit but they are not the same as the ones on the 17" wheels. mine are all yellow now and I really need to get new ones.

[dannyman1035]

these center caps wont fit. they are the same diameter but the depth is different and dont clip in. learned the hard way. i just talked to my dealer and they said they'd have to look at them and make sure they weren't washed with acid (wtf) or some other harsh chemical before they could replace them.

[daudic]

I had this problem on my 17" OEM split spoke rim center caps. I bought the silver wheel paint for $5, disassembled the parts, and used a sanding sponge fine grit. Total time including tack time for the paint...30 minutes. They look like new and have held up to a harsh Ohio winter and tons of brake dust. Dupli-Color High Performance Wheel Coating WP101 Silver.

[trentbastian]

When I got my car (50k Miles) the finish was wearing off on two rims, not just the center caps... It's gross. I was thinking of powdercoating them black but now summer is rolling around and I might as well invest in some new rims.

[A 4 Awesome]

I had this problem on my 17" OEM split spoke rim center caps. I bought the silver wheel paint for $5, disassembled the parts, and used a sanding sponge fine grit. Total time including tack time for the paint...30 minutes. They look like new and have held up to a harsh Ohio winter and tons of brake dust. Dupli-Color High Performance Wheel Coating WP101 Silver.

Thanks! I may try that. Mine gradually started to come apart and when i asked about it come service time. I was given a big fat no for free replacement. oh well.

[colt45]

I went to the dealer and they said they are $57 new a piece. I guess I will be painting mine unless I can get them replaced under warranty.

[B72.0T]

Just to let you guys knows if you try to buy these that I bought
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_2928wt_1124

THEY DO NOT WORK, THE DESIGN IN THE BACK IS NOT THE SAME, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE 3 LITTLE PLATES THAT SLIDE DIRECTLY INTO THE RIM. Wasted $30 for nothing. They came in the mail today. Waste.

And these as someone else mentioned, are the same shit. Dont get them. Dont waste your money


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...f#ht_500wt_975

[NastyNate]

Try to stay away from anything coming directly from china via ebay, but I see your point. I think I might see if I can still get the warranty hookup, and otherwise, ECS tuning it is.

x2. I had a thread a while back about this. http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...highlight=ebay

I ended up getting new RS4 caps from this eBay seller:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/set-4...item2307198d9c

The quality seems great and they've held up very well through multiple washes. Basically, I went to eBay and tried to pay as much as possible for these things. DEFINITELY get them from a US seller and NOT the Hong Kong shippers.

[tarunpatel]

OMG all 4 of mine are damn yellow so does anyone know if the ECS ones will fit?

[colt45]

OMG all 4 of mine are damn yellow so does anyone know if the ECS ones will fit?

no they will not. you have to do to the dealer for them.

[cujo05]

I'm going to repaint mine this weekend. I had the same problem a few years ago and bought a can of silver spray paint and clear coat from walmart. It sounds ghetto but it held up for two years and unless you get really close, you couldn't tell. I can post before and after pics but it will be a few days.

[ElectroMike]

I have the same issue with mine, asked the dealer and they said it's only a one year warranty on them, as it's considered a "wear and tear" item.

I'll do the spray paint route this summer.

[MisterQuattro]

dealership gave me brand new ones

[jamesj2k]

dealership gave me brand new ones

I have a set of four spare ones I havent used. Almost in mint condition. $60 shipping included in the 48 states.

PM me if you want them...I will check to make sure they fit before I send the out since I havent used them

[Mastercraftness]

The 16" caps will not work on the 17's. 17" caps are $$%$#@ more money than the 16" ones.

I ordered them in from my local dealer.

[B72.0T]

Anyone know what the exact paint on these is?

[schmally]

Does anyone know the wheels stats on your b7 split 5 spokes. I have some for sale and need help with the info.. please pm.

[boonkauc]

Well I just repainted mine with duplicolor, and it's good but not great in terms of match. The color is right but the sparkle is different. The duplicolor has larger flakes than stock so it sparkles more. I don't think one is better or worse, but it's not an EXACT match. However, it is a lot cheaper than replacing them at the dealer. Not sure how the paint will hold up though over time. I guess we'll find out. I'll post pics tomorrow.

[Live2Ski]

Mine were peeling as well. Rustoleum Metallic Silver paint matches pretty darn perfect. I got the paint at Home Depot. Now mine are lookin nice and fresh.