Topic: Powder Coating over Chrome?

[pwright]

Greetings,

I would like to powder coat the rims on my '78 CB550. I just got this bike and am going to cafe it. I really like the looks of a polished hub, polished spokes, and semi-gloss black rims. I was going to get new spokes from Buchanans, and my old rims have a bit of surface rust, so I had though about getting a new set. However, if I am going to powder coat them anyways, I don't think I'd need new ones.

So... has anybody ever had previously chromed parts powder coated? I have a sandblaster, so I could blast them if necessary. Also, I had planned on doing the 16" HD rear wheel conversion, so any new wheel I'd buy for the back will likely be chromed. Any advice would be appreciated. I couldn't find any info on this in a search.

Thanks
-Pat-
 

[Chris Liston]

I would talk to your powder coater.  he'll probably want the wheels stripped of chrome first.  The easiest thing to do would be to bring them to a chrome plater and have them dip the wheels to remove the chrome.  After that you'll be able to bring the bare steel wheels to your coater to have painted. 

But I'd contact the powder guy first.  He may have something else in mind.  You'll be there all day in a blasting cabinet.  I tried removed chrome off some alum engine covers on my 550 and after 2 days I got most of it but the edges the chrome wont budge.  I'll wind up bringing it to a plater to get them dipped to remove the chrome.

[pwright]

Thanks Chris,

I have a call out to him and hopefully I'll hear back today. Do you recall what it cost to get them dipped? I guess my concern is that it might be just as economical to buy new than taking to a plater for dipping... we'll see what the powder guy says...

Thanks,
-Pat-

[TwoTired]

Bright shiny smooth chrome has few places for a coating to adhere or "hook" onto.  If you sandblast the chrome to dull it, paint or powder coat will adhere nicely.

However, if the chrome is peeling off the rim, it will continue to do so and take whatever is bonded to it off the rim, as well.

If the chrome is still well bonded to the steel, and it's surface roughened for coating bite, free of oils, waxes, silicones, etc. the powder coating should be fine without the need for dechroming.

Cheers,

[dbsoft]

got my 400/4 wheels powder coated, spokes and all.  Look ok and have lasted over 2 years so far.