PHers assemble - Does Powdercoating damage alloy wheels?
Discussion
Where are you getting that idea from?
IMO poor workmanship during refurb can cause problems. Acid dipping to remove paint and then not washing the wheel properly afterwards leading to bubbling under the new surface when the acid starts to leech out for example. Also, not applying powder coat properly leading to pinholes and areas for water to get under the finish.
None of the above has anything to do with powder coating per se which is a benign process.
IMO poor workmanship during refurb can cause problems. Acid dipping to remove paint and then not washing the wheel properly afterwards leading to bubbling under the new surface when the acid starts to leech out for example. Also, not applying powder coat properly leading to pinholes and areas for water to get under the finish.
None of the above has anything to do with powder coating per se which is a benign process.
Pappagallo said:
I am very sceptical of the claims made that the heating involved in powder coating would affect wheels. The temperatures involved in prolonged braking would be much higher and more stressful on a wheel considering the heating would be uneven from the centre out rather, than ambient over the whole surface of the wheel as would happen in an oven during powdercoating.My own experience of wheel failures following refurbishment have been as a result of pre-existing damage masked by the refurb process being the cause of the failure rather than the refurb itself. Most wheels get re-coated because they've had a hard life, and most refurbishers do not examine the wheel properly for damage before starting coz customers don't like to hear bad news!
A nice new shiny even surface is a great way to hide hairline cracks, pitting and corrosion of the metal underneath.
Edited to add - having re-read the whole thread linked, the powdercoating process was not to blame for the failure, but there's evidence to suggest the process the refurber was using to remove the old coating was at fault ie. burning it off at temperatures 3 to 4 times higher than would be used for the recoat.
Edited by r11co on Friday 9th May 11:54
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