Powder coat Rims - outside/inside/everywhere?

**fgc** · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 06:12 AM

I am contemplating powder coating my set of Magnesium rims.

Would like advice whether I just coat

1) the outside that can be seen only?

2) outside and inner arch side

3) everywhere including inside where the air sits

What should I do?

What if they are aluminum wheels or steel wheels?

Thanks
fgc

Alex · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2009, 07:47 AM

Quick answer - everywhere.

Magnesium will deteriorate very fast and will be unsafe for use unless the surface has been correctly prepared and primed. There are special surface treatments for mag alloy that can help with corrosion protection and surface hardness - see e.g. Keronite in the UK for an example. The same applies for aluminium alloys and steel, although in the former case the substrate will form an oxide layer after a while which offers a certain amount of protection in atmosphere.

Secondly, unless masked prior to powder coating, any object which is powder coated will have every square millimetre covered as it's an electrostatic process. See the Wikipedia page for a complete explanation!

super1750 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 07:51 AM

I'm sorry if I'm hijacking this thread but I have a question that seems relevant.

I am Planning on having a set of FPS aluminum rims powder coated. During the process the rims will be heated to 240* celsius. Is there a danger of the rims warping at this temperature?

My common sense tells me that there isn't but I've been wrong on common sense issues before and don't want to ruin a set of good rims.

Any thoughts, experience or facts would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks
Bob

**papajam** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 11:05 AM

240C?

I'm curious as to what kind of powder it is. The powders we use are generally in the 200C to 215C range with some of the low bake powders curing at 140C. We've coated aluminum wheels at 200C with no issues. Can't vouch for 240C though.

super1750 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-02-2009, 01:07 PM

Hi Jim

The 240C seemed high to me too... I'll ask about that tomorrow and report. The deal that I have is that they will coat my wheels for free if I source the powder, so I will look for powder that cures at a lower temperature.

Thanks for the quick reply!!!
Bob

super1750 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-03-2009, 03:37 PM

Hi Jim

The 240C turned out to be a misunderstanding on my part.

I was told today that curing temperatures range from 180 to about 215C, which is in line with the temperatures that you stated. Will post some pictures of the results when all is done.
Thanks
Bob

super1750 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-13-2009, 03:45 PM

Well, after spending a fair bit of time sourcing powder I coated my rims with absolutely no issues only to not like the color (kind of gray with a slight pearl effect). At a loss for the right colored powder and a good portion of impatience I ended up spraying over the powder coat and am now quite happy with the results.
regards
Bob