Topic: Anodizing vs Powder Coating for Aluminum Rims

[Tim.]

So, I bought a pair of DID aluminum rims and thought - HEY!  I've always liked black rims, so why not get them finished!

That being said, I've read a bit on anodizing and a bit on powder coating.  Any thoughts?  I haven't gotten prices, but there's local shops to do both.  If I can find a spare set of 550 hubs, I might have them done in black at the same time, which would suggest powder coating as I don't think they could be anodized.

[volz1fsu]

First check to see if you could do either one to aluminum.  I think powder coating sticks magnetically but I also thought I heard that aluminum could be done now.  Check to see which is the better value, both are great coatings for the long run.

[sparty]

Tintin,

Go the way of anodizing.  A local guy I know has serval anodized pieces on his bike and it looks awesome.  The finish is flawless and will hold up much better than powdercoating.  It wil cost a bit more, but it is so #$%*in' cool.  I thought about having my hubs anodized silver so they shine forever.

Sparty

[aptech77]

You could do either. I like the anodizing idea. Black looks gooooood. 

[Tim.]

I've sent an email off to a local anodizing shop

http://www.brimacanodizing.com/

Looks like some interesting finishes.  We'll see if they can do small jobs.  The shop were my engine's better 1/2 is at does powder on-site, so I might be able to work out a deal there.  Just need to find a local source for stainless spokes and ideally another set of 550 hubs so I can build up a complete set of wheels.  I'm better off buying a set of hubs if I can for cheap than sacrificing my current wheels, which are very very nice originals.

So far everything I've done to the bike can be undone - I brought it to perfectly stock condition and then started removing/replacing parts.