Topic: Powdercoating rims; Steel or Aluminum?

[inline4]

I'm planning on having the rims on my 550K powdercoated. However I have yet to find an affordable 18" aluminum rear rim. I have a 19" aluminum front.
Having said that, which type rim would be better suited to powdercoating (steel or alum), or should I forget pc-ing and have them anodized?
 If the consenus is anodizing, can anyone recommend a good company to use?
As always I appreciate your input.
Jim

[75modrat]

I am sure what I am going to say is absolutely useless...but here goes. I had my 16inch steel rear rim powdercoated and it looks great. Sometimes powdercoaters have a problem getting a good finish on aluminum parts because of the outgassing that occurs when the part is baked. Sometimes pre-heating the part can eliminate the problem. Not always so though. If it does outgas you will see little pit-type imperfections in your item. I have had both steel and aluminum parts powdercoated and only one aluminum part had any problem (rear drum brake cover). However, I just sanded it out and used the powdercoat as a super strong primer.

Again, sorry for providing something that may not help you. Just thought I would share my experience and very limited knowledge.

Frank

[inline4]

Seriously Frank. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Jim

[tsflstb]

I think either one would powdercoat fine with proper blasting prep.

The colored aluminum rims you see on dirt bikes are usually anodized.  I originally looked into having mine anodized black.  I went with powder coating because I wanted to do the hubs also.  Powder is thick and durable and has a deep gloss finish.  Anodizing goes a few mils deep and usually isn't as shiny.  It all depends on what you want.

I guess on motocrossers every ounce of weight is critical, and the powder does add some weight.  Not enough to notice if you're not taking 50' jumps though.

The powdercoater did some type of chemical clean on my parts, then sandblasted, washed and baked them for a couple of hours before he put on the color.  It came out pretty smooth.

[75modrat]

Thanks Jim! I get so much information (and laughs too) from this site it is glad to add a little too.

Frank

[greenjeans]

Good luck on finding an affordable aluminum 18" rear hoop....Been lurking on ebay for a while.  Finally gave up and ordered one from Buchannons....$200 - alot more than I wanted to spend, but there weren't many bikes that came with aluminum 18" rear wheels.  There are a few on ebay from time to time but by the time you add shipping ect & spokes you're almost better off with a new one. .  Aluminum looks great annodized, but if you want a shiney surface go with a powdercoat or paint.  powdercoating will probably be the cheaper alternative.

[754]

This should be noted,

Shine of anodizing is proportional to how highly polished aluminum was to start with..look at bicycles.. pretty nice shiny anodizing on some parts..

PS.. steel does not anodize..

Rims, got to do a count on spoke holes for TW200 Yam rims, they may fit our bikes.. come with a 180 tire stock on that 200

[inline4]

Actually I did just score this Akront 1.85x18, 40-spoke rim off ebay.
Paid $72 shipped.

[Ricky_Racer]

TW200 Yam rear rim... 14" x 36 spokes!     RR

[rbmgf7]

i may be wrong but p.d.ing aluminum wheels may cause a problem. since the wheel is so thin, the baking temp's may alter the metallurgical structure of the wheel. it could soften the metal in the process rendering problems down the road.

[Soos]

Don't know about which metal is better for powdercoating.
But I powdercoated my comstars.
They are both aluminum and steel.
It has not peeled, or looks different on either surface.

Looks quite good IMO.

l8r

[dakeddie]

i may be wrong but p.d.ing aluminum wheels may cause a problem. since the wheel is so thin, the baking temp's may alter the metallurgical structure of the wheel. it could soften the metal in the process rendering problems down the road.

Powder coat baking temp is on the order of 80C... not hot enough to do any damage to aluminum.  But it's always good to check with powder coater on whether any steps might do damage to a rim.

[lordmoonpie]

Powdercoating will be fine on steel or aluminium - as long as your powdercoater is a good one!

I've had magnesium rims pwdercoated in the past, one lot left the rims pickling to get rid of the old paint and came back next day to find two wheel bearings in the acid and that was all! Needless to say I didn't need to powdercoat the shiny new wheels they had to buy me

[754]

Powdercoat baking is more like 400 deg F.


I have never found a definitive answer on the aluminum, whether the heat treating is affected.

I had a nice Magnesium 12 spoke American Racing mag, I sold with a bike... I did not want to powdercoat...the guy offered to sell them back (Was a pair, 1 was aluminum) to me powdercoated..  I lost interest.

Americans look so #$%*en on a Honda Chopper done drag style..