| Author | Message | ||
     Schwara |
Has anyone ever heard of someone getting their stock powder coated wheels, having that stripped off, and then doing a clear anodize? Would this be bad in some way? Is powder coating better or more protective. This is not something I'll be doing any time soon due to my current bike expenses and downtime, but if I save up to buy the 2010 wheel I might consider this sort of thing for a winter project. Any thoughts, opinions, or suggestions greatly appreciated. | ||
| Ericz |
Powder coating is more durable for a wheel finish. Anodizing is very hard but will "chip" easier than powder coating, leaving fresh, un-oxidized aluminum exposed. If you wanted any other color than the natural aluminum silver, anodizing does not protect the dye from fading when exposed to UV rays. Power coating would be the way to go and probably cost less, too. I'm refinishing a new 2010 rear wheel now to match the silver/polished lip wheels. I removed the factory black coating with paint stripper and will have the hub/spokes powder coated silver and polish the lips. The lips have a nice machined finish already which makes it easy to polish up. | ||
| Schwara |
I appreciate the perspective. If powder coat is better suited and more robust for wheels then that is what I will do. I think my struggle with that was more the idea of paying someone to paint a color on an object who's natural color and finish I already like. I'll get past my mental hurdle and start looking into local powder coat places here around Cincy when it start to snow again ... oh yeah, but I guess I should save up for and then buy a 2012 rear wheel first. Thanks | ||
| Greg_e |
If you want the natural color, why not get them unfinished and just run them? Mine don't look that bad considering that they are 10 years old, at least I'll never get chips. | ||
| Schwara |
I would be perfectly OK with that. Excuse my ignorance though ... but I'm guessing from what you said that you do not "have" to do something to the unfinished AL? You said you've been running that way for 10 years, but I've always thought of AL as being too soft without something on the outside protecting it. I guess I assumed the exterior finish would get marred or loose it's finish easily. If that's in fact not the case then I have no problem running as you described. I appreciate the input. | ||
| Ericz |
Most clear anodizing will dull the aluminum slightly so a shiny surface is tough to keep. If you like the bare aluminum look, you could just strip the paint and leave it alone. Aluminum will oxidize on its own and have a natural protective layer of aluminum oxide, the same as an anodized finish, just not as thick or uniform. | ||
| Schwara |
I think maybe you guys have sold me ... at least on what I will try for a first go around. Thanks a lot. | ||
| 50dro |
Anodizing doesn't work well on cast or forged aluminum parts. powder is definitely the way to go. |
