Powder coating chrome wheels

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doug720

doug720

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I have a set of chrome wheels that I want to powder coat. My question is how to prep them. They have a little rust in a couple of areas that has gone through the chrome. I have been told many different options by powder coaters and others. So should I...

1) Sand the rusty areas a little and powder coat them

2) Sand blast them first

3) Do nothing, power coat is thick enough to cover

4) Some mix of above

5) Some other plan

I was planing on not powder coating the inside (tire area), only the front and back areas.


Thanks for the advice


Doug
 
The Powder Coating guy who I talked with said that they did not sand blast all the chrome off. They used the sandblaster to roughen it up some and get rid of the rusty spots.
 
I checked into this once myself and was told that the chrome surface needs to be roughed up some (with a wire brush, sand blasting, etc.) to help provide some surface area for mechanical adherence and to ensure that their is no loose chrome and then you are good to go.
 
Thanks for the input. I spoke to two powder coaters, both said to rough up the surface, one sandblast, the other sanding. I was more concerned with the little bit of rust. It can spread like cancer under the powder coat.

Doug
 
Just had a set of rusty chrome wheels at the PC shop. They sandblasted and PC'ed. Now they look better than new (unless you like the look of fake modular wheels). Cost was less than $100.
 
When I powdercoated my chrome rims, I sandblasted them, wiped them down with isopropyl alcohol, let them dry and coated them. They came out great, just make sure not to put too much powder on them.
 
Thanks for the advice. I'm taking the wheels, the roof rack I just finished, and a ARB front bumper to the powder coater tuesday. Will post pics.

Doug
 
quastion : What do you touch up chipped and scratched powder coat with?

answer : Paint

so why not sandblast and paint them? that's what i would do. i would use a real good marine enamel
I use powder coat on all the aluminum railings i build and it is ok for that but it sux for diffs and wheels as far as chipping and scraping goes, unless you drive a pavement princess.
 
JoeCanadian said:
quastion : What do you touch up chipped and scratched powder coat with?

answer : Paint

so why not sandblast and paint them? that's what i would do. i would use a real good marine enamel
I use powder coat on all the aluminum railings i build and it is ok for that but it sux for diffs and wheels as far as chipping and scraping goes, unless you drive a pavement princess.
Click to expand...

Paint won't resist corrosion like powdercoating will. If my rims get scraped up then I'll probably just leave it. It'd take a hell of a hit to take the powdercoating off.
 
I just got a quote to sand blast and powder coat the four door handles and the license plate lamp assembly (the chrome thingy), on my 62. $25.
Rear bumper: $30. Oh boy!

Q: Our door handles are not made of "pot metal" are they? I assumed cast steel.
 
Tofudebeest said:
I just got a quote to sand blast and powder coat the four door handles and the license plate lamp assembly (the chrome thingy), on my 62. $25.
Rear bumper: $30. Oh boy!

Q: Our door handles are not made of "pot metal" are they? I assumed cast steel.
Click to expand...

How come? Are they getting an acid bath first?

I do not know, but I would guess steel.
 
They are pot metal.


Dynosoar:zilla:
 
Dynosoar said:
They are pot metal.


Dynosoar:zilla:
Click to expand...

I've seen those 60 handles power coated on this forum, I have not ever had anything powder coated, but I know they electrify the item and the paint is electrostatic, making the powder coat paint adhere better...

What other reason might they have for asking this question?

mid-post edit...

I called. It is because they put these parts in the oven to bake the powder coat on...and potmetal parts can melt at these temps (370-420° F). Knowing how heavy these handles are (not s***ty-aluminum-feeling light metal), I think it'll be fine (and I have back up handles)...
 
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When I powdercoated my handles, I heated them at 400 for 13 minutes and they came out great. No problems whatsoever, so I think you'll be alright Tofu.
 
A decade or so ago I had a chrome BMX frame PC'd. The PC guy wanted the chrome striped. He said to leave the nickel under it as it makes a great thing to bond to. The chrome shop guy was happy to get the chrome and did the work for free.

I don't see PC as being any more or less durable than paint. Poor prep in either case equals rust.
 
What shop did the strip of the chrome only? I'm also in So Cal.

Thanks

Doug
 
I was in Chico at the time, but the plater was either in Marysville or Yuba City.

Depending on your 20 you might try looking up Faith Plating, Faith Bumpers, something like that. They do a LOT of chromed bumper type work for body shops all over So. CA.
 
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