power coating or painting

[analog_me]

Hi all,

Apart from the reputation of power coating damaging the material properties of your wheel what is your general experience on the subject.
Is it better to power coat my 13 minilight wheels or have them painted.

What about DIY rattle can painting after proper preparation and primer application?
Thanks

[BertBert]

I can't answer the powder coat question, but I do use quite a lot of rattle-cans to paint various bits. It ends up being pretty soft and weak, so I don't think it would be that helpful on wheels that you want to look good for any length of time.

Perhaps if you use 2k, the results might be better.

I've used Riollet in the past for paint and they are quite good.

https://www.riolettcustomaerosols.co.uk/2k-aerosol...

Bert

[xjay1337]

analog_me said:

Hi all,

Apart from the reputation of power coating damaging the material properties of your wheel what is your general experience on the subject.
Is it better to power coat my 13 minilight wheels or have them painted.

What about DIY rattle can painting after proper preparation and primer application?
Thanks

I have to admit I've never heard of powder coating damaging wheels or changing their properties. The amount of people who have alloys refurbished (that are powder coated) we would have surely heard an issue.

I have done a few sets of wheels or other things with rattle cans and as long as you are patient and wait they can turn out quite good.
Using 2K is not recommended as it's very poisonous and needs decent application in full body suit with air supply.

[fergus]

analog_me said:

Apart from the reputation of power coating damaging the material properties of your wheel

How does powder coating damage the metallurgy of a wheel? Whether in a low bake oven or a standard oven, independent of what "powder" you're using, you will not get close to damaging a wheel.

[analog_me]

fergus said:

How does powder coating damage the metallurgy of a wheel? Whether in a low bake oven or a standard oven, independent of what "powder" you're using, you will not get close to damaging a wheel.

I think they are referring to the heat transferred to the wheel or some uncontrolled temperature change during the process (?)

[fergus]

analog_me said:

I think they are referring to the heat transferred to the wheel or some uncontrolled temperature change during the process (?)

Depending upon the pre-treatment process, the wheels may be heated slightly prior to powder application (even though it's electro-statically applied). They will then go into an oven to cure the powder, typically up to 20 mins at around 180C.

Your wheels will be fine. The key to decent powder coating is in the pre-treatment process.