Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

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Nate
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Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby Nate » Thu Jul 24, 2014 7:34 pm

I'm considering powder coating my aero wheels for my c900. I know that there are a bunch of engineers who hang out here at Saabrally. What are your guys' thoughts or stoires on powder coating alloy wheels. It seems that the general consensus of the Internet is that it is a bad idea. Obviously, I will have to check with my local powder coater to see what the temperature they run their furnace at.

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squaab99t
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Re: Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby squaab99t » Thu Jul 24, 2014 8:23 pm

Not sure what facts the internet is going off of. Artificially aging to increase straight via heat treating is often done by elevating the temperate. 400-450*F is no big drama for aluminum. I have not see any problem with power coating automotive wheels.

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Crazyswede
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Re: Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby Crazyswede » Fri Jul 25, 2014 8:30 am

Aluminum gets powder coated all the time without issue.
I am the 73%

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DrewP
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Re: Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby DrewP » Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:06 pm

I had a pair of Incas powdercoated gloss black in like 2004, and they still look fantastic. Almost impossible to scratch and brake dust wipes off with just water.
"You can educate ignorance, but you can't fix stupid."

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Geoff
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Re: Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby Geoff » Fri Jul 25, 2014 12:15 pm

Yeah, the internet likes to make things up. Powdercoat is the way to go. I once stripped a set of wheels down and painted them and they chip easily due to a crappy bond between the primer and the aluminum. Powdercoated wheels hold up nicely and the temperature required for it isn't going to do anything bad to aluminium.
The kind of dirty that doesn't wash off :eyebrows:

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SalemSaab
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Re: Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby SalemSaab » Fri Jul 25, 2014 4:25 pm

My Incas were pretty weathered when I bought my 99 .. had them sandblasted, powdercoated & clearcoated, made then look good as new.
2+ years later and they still look flawless .. I've managed to avoid curbing them so far :yay:
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321go
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Re: Thoughts on Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

Postby 321go » Fri Jul 25, 2014 11:42 pm

I see this question come up all the time on forums and not sure why. Lots of wheel companies powder coat wheels at the factory. I'm sure there's different processes the average do-it-yourselfer uses, so maybe that's what's in question. But as mentioned above, powder coating is great for wheels. I had two sets done on my road race car and they are fine.


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