Wheel Powdercoating

[greg86z28]

Trying to find some information on the safety of powdercoating wheels. They are aluminum off a 2017 Subaru STI. They are not forged. I tried calling the manufacturer to see if they would discuss the maximum temperature/time the wheels could be exposed to without altering the properties. They would not provide that information for legal reasons.

There seems to be mixed reviews on if it's as good idea.


Anyone here familiar with PC wheels? They are going on a daily driver that will get no track time.

Thanks,

Greg

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Not quite the same, but we powder coat a lot of our offroad wheels and they are alumimum. I would call a powdercoat shop and talk to them.

 

[greg86z28]

I left them a message so we'll see.

Part of me thinks if it was that big of a deal (bad idea), it'd be a common knowledge, but I just wanted to double check.

 

[PCMusicGuy]

You shouldn't run into any issues. The prep work will be the most crucial part for a good finish. A reputable shop will know not to crank the curing oven up too high for aluminum wheels.

 

[greg86z28]

PC place said they've never had any issues. Typically they PC at temps between 350-400 depending on what the PC material calls for.

Greg

 

[kkroger]

Powder coating generally only gets to 400 Degrees (some a little higher some lower) for 10 minutes (metal temp and time not general oven temp and time) the aluminum or steel will be just fine. do it all day every day.

 

[CJM8515]

If my aluminum atv wheels can handle it, Im sure your wheels will be fine.

 

[d.mcfarland]

You'll be fine.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Powder coating generally only gets to 400 Degrees (some a little higher some lower) for 10 minutes (metal temp and time not general oven temp and time) the aluminum or steel will be just fine. do it all day every day.

Actually Mr. Kroger, you're partly right. The cure schedule starts when the PART reaches the appropriate cure temperature, NOT the oven. They'll be in the heat for longer than ten minutes to get to that point. It still won't hurt the aluminum / alloy enough to adversely affect the metal though. If you're curing wheels for only ten minutes, they are seriously undercured.

 

[kkroger]

Actually Mr. Kroger, you're partly right. The cure schedule starts when the PART reaches the appropriate cure temperature, NOT the oven. They'll be in the heat for longer than ten minutes to get to that point. It still won't hurt the aluminum / alloy enough to adversely affect the metal though. If you're curing wheels for only ten minutes, they are seriously undercured.

Actually Ms Chick I am EXACTLY right because that is what I said the Actual METAL temp not the general OVEN temp...

 

[amolaver]

considering the wheel is bolted through the brake disk hat (conductive heat) and gets the radiant heat off the friction surface...400 isn't a problem. that car, on the track and driven properly, will see rotor temps in the 5-600 range easily. add sticky tires and track pads and that will climb to 7-900 (yes, the rotors can glow).

those wheels are not only exposed to 400+ regularly, but expected to endure tremendous forces while at those temps. the powder coating process won't be a problem.

ahm

 

[greg86z28]

Got them back a few days ago. Finally warm enough for the summer tires. I just need a flat brimmed hat and some awful window stickers; Rice!

 

[p_mori7]

They look AWESOME !

 

[firworks]

Wow the finish on those looks great. What's the ballpark cost on a set of 4 rims like that?

 

[aka Larry]

Wow the finish on those looks great. What's the ballpark cost on a set of 4 rims like that?

+1. I've got set of wheels I'd like to refinish if the cost is reasonable. I'm sure it's area dependent though.

 

[greg86z28]

I paid $60/wheel which is a good deal in my opinion. That included the prep and powdercoating.

 

[aka Larry]

I paid $60/wheel which is a good deal in my opinion. That included the prep and powdercoating.

Nice! I'd do that in a heart beat. Did he have a huge choice of finishes for the same price? I need to check locally and see what I can get my wheels powdercoated for.

 

[greg86z28]

Nice! I'd do that in a heart beat. Did he have a huge choice of finishes for the same price? I need to check locally and see what I can get my wheels powdercoated for.

He did. I also strongly recommend going in and seeing the color chips in person. They gave me the ring of chips and I took them out in the sunlight and held them up to my car. That way you can see how a color really looks in person (internet images don't always look right - colors can be off).

Note he didn't have EVERY color on hand, and I might have had to pay an upcharge (didn't ask how much), but he had quite a few including one I thought was pretty close to BBS gold.

 

[amolaver]

looks great. according to my subaru/mitsu specialist shop friends, you're also going to need a vape.

looks like the shop did a nice job!

ahm

 

[rsanter]

The brakes can put more heat into a wheel than the
Powder coat process

Don’t worry about it

Some powder coat shops will burn off old coating by baking at a higher temperature, I would be sure what that is before letting them do that.