Opinions on powdercoated wheels.

[Wastegate13]

low temp is ok for cast wheels.

This was an excerpt from one of the sites I came across when I was doing research on this.


"Found your article most enlightening. A metallurgist friend told me a few years ago that things like aluminum wheel spindles should not be powder coated. He explained that aluminum billet material (6061-T6 ?) changed crystal structure at a critical temperature around 410 degrees F (as I recall).
The thrust was that the heating step would adversely affect the strength of the material. Non-structural components would be OK, but not something that "holds the spokes on".

The metallurgist is correct. Products like wheel billets, scuba tanks, etc. can be powder coated, but only with powders which cure below peak metal temperature of 300 degrees F. The crystalline realignment at 400 degrees F causes the previous ductile aluminum to become brittle. Imagine the catastrophe when an 80 cu. ft. scuba tank explodes under 3000 psi pressure after an unauthorized powder coat (this actually happened). To my knowledge, all Aluminum wheels and other strength-critical aluminum components are powder coated with these cooler curing powders."

You will find that your typical powdercoating shop sets their ovens to around 400ish. Like I said, many many people have had their wheels coated and have no problems but I did not want to take that risk with an 800 dollar wheel.

 

[SwampAss]

I have a local guy who utilizes a low temp powder coating system of around 250 degree F. He does motorcycle stuff mostly but can do wheels.

 

[meicalnissyen]

This was an excerpt from one of the sites I came across when I was doing research on this.


"Found your article most enlightening. A metallurgist friend told me a few years ago that things like aluminum wheel spindles should not be powder coated. He explained that aluminum billet material (6061-T6 ?) changed crystal structure at a critical temperature around 410 degrees F (as I recall).
The thrust was that the heating step would adversely affect the strength of the material. Non-structural components would be OK, but not something that "holds the spokes on".

The metallurgist is correct. Products like wheel billets, scuba tanks, etc. can be powder coated, but only with powders which cure below peak metal temperature of 300 degrees F. The crystalline realignment at 400 degrees F causes the previous ductile aluminum to become brittle. Imagine the catastrophe when an 80 cu. ft. scuba tank explodes under 3000 psi pressure after an unauthorized powder coat (this actually happened). To my knowledge, all Aluminum wheels and other strength-critical aluminum components are powder coated with these cooler curing powders."

You will find that your typical powdercoating shop sets their ovens to around 400ish. Like I said, many many people have had their wheels coated and have no problems but I did not want to take that risk with an 800 dollar wheel.

Good to know, this may be a problem at the industrial type shop

 

[meicalnissyen]

stock wheel

Has anyone with a black mica done the stock wheels in black powdercoat???

Pics??

 

[mattj3636]

the rears obviously.

 

[meicalnissyen]

I just nutted up my monitor

 

[meicalnissyen]

how much by you, and were you picky about the low temp process?

 

[mattj3636]

haha you like that picture?

 

[mattj3636]

i paid 30 a wheel, and idk the temp specs. but i do know that its been 20,000+ miles on them and not a dent ding fracture chip or anything

 

[meicalnissyen]

whaddya do with the centercaps?

 

[mattj3636]

just pulled off the mazda M, sprayed it red and sprayed the caps black with just normal spraypaint. i redo them every once in a while

 

[martyxcore]

do it swampass. i fully support fellow true red bad assery

 

[controlo]

i think it will look bad ass, man. i think painting might be a better idea, though. i'm sure it'd be a lot easier to get a good color match. go for it swamp!

 

[boosted3]

I was perusing the boards looking at wheels as I was contemplating these for my true red..

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_gar...Model=Alleggerita+HLT&wheelFinish=Red+Painted

getting tired of the silver/red gig.

 

[Brian Husted]

I think it will look bad ass. It probably wouldn't look good on a stock tr ms3 but with the additions on yours it will look sweet.

 

[SwampAss]

I was perusing the boards looking at wheels as I was contemplating these for my true red..

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_gar...Model=Alleggerita+HLT&wheelFinish=Red+Painted

getting tired of the silver/red gig.

Your wheel looks bent and or cracked. (thumb)

 

[boosted3]

In my selfish effort to steal your thunder I forgot the purpose of the thread.

I would STRONGLY encourage you to coat your wheels in true red.

So I can copy you if it looks good and laugh at you if it doesn't

 

[boosted3]

http://www.anvelopesijante.ro/img/products/rims/12.jpg

 

[HOBDisease]

My vote: don't do it.

 

[Driver_X]

what you think????