Paint Rusty Wheel Hub with Wheel still on

[si1972]

My Xpower is going back to Leasing company next Friday.. I sent pictures of the rusty wheel hubs to ask if I would be charged.. £80 per wheel! Shocking!

So I have ordered some Smooth Silver hammarite (tin) and was planning the quickest easiest method to paint them.. I'm thinking if I'm very careful I can just paint a thin coat through the gaps in the alloys with a paint brush.. My drive is gravel, I don' think the car came with a Jack and I don't really want to take the wheels off.. has anyone successfully managed to paint them like this? Thanks!

Loved driving the Xpower but the Touchscreen was awful.. decided to get a BYD Seal Excellence similar performance.. but a fair bit more refined. That arrives next Friday too.. same price per month as the Xpower I'm returning.

 

[MG Clive]

It'll be the brake discs that are going rusty, and I think you'll struggle to paint them with the wheels still on to be honest, but I can't believe the Leasing Company can charge you for rusty discs.

 

[si1972]

I was just planning to paint to paint the bit that is between the actual disc and alloy.

 

[MG Clive]

I was just planning to paint to paint the bit that is between the actual disc and alloy.

Yes I knew what you meant, I just think it'll be tricky to make it look a decent job, but I suppose you only need to make them look better than they do now. Good luck anyway.

 

[Chrisdriving]

Sorry but rusty hubs are not damage caused by you, they are normal wear and tear, tell them go forth and multiply.
Personally painting them imho is defacing the car and more likely to devalue.

 

[salty]

Sorry but rusty hubs are not damage caused by you, they are normal wear and tear, tell them go forth and multiply.
Personally painting them imho is defacing the car and more likely to devalue.

Totally agree. They are talking Bollox!
Wouldn't bother painting them at all.
They are absolutely trying it on.

 

[Chrisdriving]

These cars go to trade auction, any buying dealer would just clean them up , this is not damage it is just age of car and no way it would devalue the car any more.

 

[si1972]

Sorry but rusty hubs are not damage caused by you, they are normal wear and tear, tell them go forth and multiply.
Personally painting them imho is defacing the car and more likely to devalue.

I agree however the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide says:

'There must be no rust or corrosion on the alloy wheels/wheel hubs.'

 

[salty]

Rusty hubs are just a natural occurrence
on cars. It's not a fault and it's certainly not your fault. Same with alloys if it's got white worm, that's not your fault either,
it just happens. Fair enough if you've kerbed them, that's a different matter.
Pretty sure they wouldn't even have noticed the hubs. But it's up to you.

 

[Chrisdriving]

I agree however the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide says:

'There must be no rust or corrosion on the alloy wheels/wheel hubs.'

Where are you reading that, Is it in lease company blurb or direct bvrla?

I am seeing this....
Personally I would challenge it but either way good luck with it.

 

[Ferretusmaximus]

You could try a spray-on rust remover (£10 from Amazon). Shouldn't need to remove the wheels and you are effectively cleaning the wheels so the leasing company couldn't complain about that. Suspect it would be very difficult to get an even finish painting through the wheel and that might attract attention from the inspector (what is hidden beneath?).

 

[Giller]

Thinking about this, I'd be surprised if there was an MG4 out there which didn't have a coating of "rust" on the hubs, my x power had I know that.

 

[si1972]

BVRLA Leasing & Fair Wear and Tear Guides 2025 | Alphabet

Vehicle returns with guidance from the BVRLA, the UK’s trade body for rental and leasing. Explore guides about fair wear and tear standards.

www.alphabet.com

 

[Giller]

BVRLA Leasing & Fair Wear and Tear Guides 2025 | Alphabet

Vehicle returns with guidance from the BVRLA, the UK’s trade body for rental and leasing. Explore guides about fair wear and tear standards.

www.alphabet.com

OK. I see the bit you are talking about, as mentioned don't think any MG4 hasn't got a coating of patina on it's hubs, the picture of mine was taken when it was 6 months old.

IMPO you will struggle to get an acceptable finish trying to paint with the wheels on, you might be better to give them a light sanding instead or use a rust removing solution, there's a great article on this here.

Have no experience of leasing but I know it's a popular option, just wondered if any other custodians have had this issue when returning an MG4?

 

[Micropop]

You need the wheel off. Then use a steel brush to get most of it off, then rust remover and wipe off. Should also clean the discs with brake disc cleaner. (you don't want any oil or rust remover on the brake discs!)

 

[Chrisdriving]

Ah I was going to ask if it was with Alphabet, that is who my lease is with.
I see they have this clause which is not actually in the official guidelines but must be added.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

Wheel cleaner with iron remover?

 

[Paulie68]

I agree however the BVRLA fair wear and tear guide says:

'There must be no rust or corrosion on the alloy wheels/wheel hubs.'

There is a misunderstanding going on here of the terms used. When they say corrosion to the wheel/wheel hubs, they mean the central hubs of the alloy wheels. The rust you are seeing is on the hub of the brake disks, is a normal wear and tear phenominum and will not be an issue.

Do not attempt to paint it in any way with the wheels still fitted, it will look a total pigs ear and may then actually cost you money as it will need removing!

 

[Chrisdriving]

Agree with that

 

[salty]

There is a misunderstanding going on here of the terms used. When they say corrosion to the wheel/wheel hubs, they mean the central hubs of the alloy wheels. The rust you are seeing is on the hub of the brake disks, is a normal wear and tear phenominum and will not be an issue.

Do not attempt to paint it in any way with the wheels still fitted, it will look a total pigs ear and may then actually cost you money as it will need removing!

Agree... But he's sent pictures and they would really only show the rusty brake disc hubs. Which is possibly what they are going off. Either way it's crossed wires or they are trying it on. But he should definitely not pay a penny, or be painting them.