Yes, I've read these threads: http://www.iwsti.com/forums/tires-wheels/71687-what-powder-coating.html http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1088095 as well as dozens of others on nasioc, this forum, and elsewhere. I'm also in contact with a handful of places around the cities gathering information about their process. Wondering who has powdercoated forged aluminum wheels (preferably stock bbs), how the wheels (not color) are holding up, and who did it. I think WallofTVs had his ssr's powdercoated. Anyone else? Not interested in cast wheel testimonials. Thanks!
I have PC'd two sets of BBS's and have tracked both the sets of wheels after the process and I am still here to type. :roll:
Daily driven too I assume? also, was this from tcpowdercoating, powder coating technologies, gauthier, custom coaters, etc?
^talking to Tim at TC right now. They bake for 15-20 minutes at 400. Looking to see if they have a different powder that can cure at a lower temp for less time.
I am doing some research right now as well. I have to have one of my recently aquired STI BBS's straightened. In order to straighten them they heat the wheel up. I have the same concern. My initial thought is that it may weaken them slightly but you will likely never notice. I'll report back what I come up with.
Appreciate it. I've only come across one PC'd BBS rim that has bent, and that was during a rally-x. I've also only spoken to 1 place that PCs (not local) that refuses to do forged aluminum wheels. It seems like it's pretty much impossible to know precisely at what temperature and for what duration it takes for the BBS wheels to anneal, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. I'm specifically looking for a powder in deep blue that can be cured at 300F or less for no more than the typical 15 minutes.
It depends on the alloy used in the wheel. 6061-T6 is precipitation aged at 320 for 6-10hrs. Go over that and it gets weaker. So 400 degrees will over-age the part and it will actually become weaker. If 6061-T6 is welded, at the weld the heat treatment goes back to a T0, meaning less than half the strength of the original heat treatment. Thats why if a structural member is welded the whole piece needs to be heat treated again. Same applies to a wheel that was heated to be straigtened. The heat treatment in that area was lost and it will be more prone to bending in that area, unless the whole wheel is heat treated again. Again, it all depends on what kind of aluminum and original heat treatment.
This is part of the information I'm struggling to confirm... the composition of the BBS wheels and the manufacturing process. The 300F value I'm shooting for is based mostly on "lyveWRX's" postings... like post #11 here: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=747591&page=2
hah, i wrote a response and see its essentially been repeated... I agree with lyveWRX's response from the NASIOC link. Let me know what you find out about lower temp powdercoats. As for straightening my bent wheel…I’m kind of screwed. This is done by annealing the alloy with a torch so that it can be bent back easily. Not too scientific and not much concern of controlling the temp so I can almost guarantee they get above 500+ degrees at different locations of the wheel. Sooo, the repaired wheel will likely bend easier than a factory fresh wheel. In fact, now that I think of it, its likely that the wheel will bend easier than most cast wheels because the design likely relys on the strength of the forged material and the BBS engineers were going for weight reduction. I will probably have it repaired and use it as a spare. Anyone have an extra 5x100 BBS wheel?
Oh, and good luck trying to quantify if powdercoating weakens wheels based on people's experiences. That will be impossible! 8) No one will know if they have 30% weaker wheels even if they did or didn't bend them.
was thinking about hitting up my buddy to do mine.. the powdercoat industrial mixing machines like 1 story tall machines... so I will have to see what temps they use and what paint they have... they have a room just as big to sandblast too... so I may get a car done here... woot...
lol, for sure. Just trying to see if anyone has had any troubles and if so where and what kind of process they used. Nathan, where's yr buddy's place at? I'd definitely feel more comfortable going to a place with large enough ovens that a set of wheels won't tie them up... so long as the ovens bake evenly and they are knowledgeable of course.
^^ best coat in blaine has an oven big enough to put a full size truck chassis into. their price is reasonable too.
i got dipp's old wheels now readymixes studded tire wheels, bikerboys and my own done by color technologies. one of my old friends dad owns the place. don't have the connection anymore but you could always see if they can do them for you.
I read yah... At least you can find out if people's wheels are folding over immediately or not right? I have a connection at Twin City Powdercoating. They had all kinds of powder vendors. I can see what options they have for low temp powder. -Chad
my buddies place is not a 'powdercoating' business... it's called Scott Equipment... they build mixing machines.... the size of an 18 wheeler.. ha ha
Here's a start: http://www.powdercoatingonline.com/forum/read.asp?id=1376 I'm still waiting on calls/emails back from local businesses regarding these low bake powders. Trying to find out what brands are being used.
