Topic: Powder coat or polish, that is the question?

[hs2k007]

I purchased new rims and spokes for my 1972 Honda CB350F and I was curious on the opinions of those who have the expierence.  Would you powder coat the hubs or polish the hubs.  I am thinking silver chrome like jet coat for the color.  Which lasts longer?  Any pics of hubs polished or powder coated are welcomed. 

[rhos1355]

I had my hubs vapour blasted and then I used a rattle can to paint them. Rims and spokes I bought brand new. About 2 coats primer and then 3-4 coats Simoniz 5 silver wheel paint. Havent' got her on the road yet but I'm curious if the advice I got to do this is correct

[hs2k007]

any pics

[XN]

Untreated aluminum's finish will degrade after time and splattered bugs don't help the matter. If you do go with a chrome powder make sure they clear coat it, even if they say its a one step powder and doesn't need it. Trust me... FYI you could polish it and then clear powder it 

[wildcatmahone]

Check this out for your wheels...........Chrome rattlecan paint (not the wannabe sh*t you can buy at home depot either) lettin all my secrets out now;)

http://www.alsacorp.com/products/killercans/kc/killerchrome.htm

[hs2k007]

i have heard of this stuff.  problem is, they do not display objects on a larger scale.  I heard that it only last 6 months and the design was originally for show cars...since they only see one show at a time they get repainted once it fades.  at the bottom it states that they do not guarantee it will last.  It looks great and I may try it elsewhere since doing this to the hubs is hard to fix if it does not last.

[speedy gonzalais]

I would polish them as water will eventually get under the powder coat/lacquer 
and start to rot underneath where as a regular polish ensures you rims stay clean and dry

[hs2k007]

i have heard a good powder coat is very durable, has anyone had these same issues.

[ColinMc]

I love polished stuff...but the upkeep can be a pain. Especially on stuff that's hard to get to. I've used both powdercoat and paint and MANY MANY things and never had an issue assuming things were prepped correctly. I've had quite a few frames and wheels, including polished frames and wheels powdercoated with no issues. That's not to say there won't ever be. But I don't think that's the norm.

[hs2k007]

these are going to be tough to get to, so i am leaning to powder right now

[Spikeybike]

when you polish it does require a little maintenance, say every few months you gotta really buff it up with "mothers" or a similar product

[okie]

OK, the picture is a 350F.  Hub was bead blasted, sanded with 400 grit, sanded with 1000 grit, then hand (actually finger ) polished using Mother's metal polish.  No clear-coat was used.  Just re-polish with Mother's every 6 months. If you use a buffing wheel, it will almost immediately give it a super shine/chrome look.  Honda didn't make it that shiny, and I wanted it to look as much like factory original as possible.

[736cc]

 Vapor blast then clearcoat not too shabby