Topic: Wheel bearing and powder coat

[stereosilence]

I want to powder my rear wheel. Should I replace the wheel bearing before or after or does it matter?

[greenjeans]

After - typically they heat the part first to burn off any hidden grease or oil in the pores.  If the bearing is in there, out comes the grease.  Those seals will not keep the grease in.

Make very sure they do not powder the entire hub - I've seen it happen.

[Powderman]

Are you talking a spoke wheel or an alloy wheel? Either way remove the bearings and throw them away and replace them. Mask the bearing races and prep and shoot the wheel.

[stereosilence]

Actually, both a spoke and an allow wheel. The allow wheel is a 2005 R1 front wheel (fork swap). I am trying to remove the original wheel bearing from my 550's rear wheel and it is tough. Everyone says you have to heat it up to get it out. Any ideas for getting out the front bearing so I can use it (if heat is bad for the bearing)?