Powder Coat question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
PowderCoated Wheel question
Looking into purchasing some used 3pc forged rims but the faces are black. I'd like to have them redone in another color or perhaps even polished. Underneath the black faces it's likely the raw aluminum correct? So depending on the ability of the shop I take them to, theoretically they would be able to basically do any finish I want...for a price of course. I'm assuming they would sandblast them down or use a liquid chemical to remove the existing finish?
Also my experience with 3pc wheels is non-existent...does it put too much stress on the hoops to remove the face while mounted to a tire? Trying to consider my entire costs should I pull the trigger on these wheels. So if I need to dismount them from the tires in order to pull the faces for powdercoat, I'd like to know now.
Also my experience with 3pc wheels is non-existent...does it put too much stress on the hoops to remove the face while mounted to a tire? Trying to consider my entire costs should I pull the trigger on these wheels. So if I need to dismount them from the tires in order to pull the faces for powdercoat, I'd like to know now.
Last edited by imgn tht; Dec 15, 2013 at 01:20 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
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From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
There are several different types of media that can be used for blasting other than sand that can remove the powdercoating without damaging the wheel finish. You'll have to ask about this, I don't know which type specifically. If you wanted to remove the center of a 3-piece wheel without removing the tire, I was told by John, the owner of CCW, it is possible by far from easy. You need to let out the air and figure out how to keep the rim halves clamped together with the tire still on. I've thought of doing this myself.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Sullivan Illinois
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I used this company out of Iowa. They came to my house picked up the wheels, tires and all. They took them back to their shop did what I wanted and returned them in 1 week ready to install on the car. You may want to check them out.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Thanks for the option. 
I have a post in the Great Lakes section looking for places to take them should I end up purchasing. This service is very convenient for the end user for sure. Based on your avatar it looks like you went from polished to black. If you wouldn't mind me asking, could you PM me what they quoted to do this?
I have a post in the Great Lakes section looking for places to take them should I end up purchasing. This service is very convenient for the end user for sure. Based on your avatar it looks like you went from polished to black. If you wouldn't mind me asking, could you PM me what they quoted to do this?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 479
Likes: 36
From: HOUSTON TX
Let all the air out the wheels then you can unbolt the center from the barrels. You really shouldnt have any issues with the barrels separating Ive never have and I have taken my wheels apart mulitple times.
Even trying to separate the barrels with the tires off takes a little work so accidentally doing it while pulling the centers really shouldnt be an issue.
Powder coating them a new color would be the cheapest thing to do. Trying to have some repolish the centers is going to be $$$$. If a decent powder coater coated those centers they sand blasted them so removing the coating is already going to be a pain if it ahdered good. Then you will need to have someone start the polishing process on a rough surface left by the sand blasting.
Probably better off looking for wheels that are already polished.
Even trying to separate the barrels with the tires off takes a little work so accidentally doing it while pulling the centers really shouldnt be an issue.
Powder coating them a new color would be the cheapest thing to do. Trying to have some repolish the centers is going to be $$$$. If a decent powder coater coated those centers they sand blasted them so removing the coating is already going to be a pain if it ahdered good. Then you will need to have someone start the polishing process on a rough surface left by the sand blasting.
Probably better off looking for wheels that are already polished.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
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From: Columbia SC
Unless you are buying some special 3 piece wheel, the 3 pieces bolt together to make one solid unit. Where the pressure retaining parts mate, they should have a seal. Better do some homework on what you are buying and planning to do. Some older manufactures are out of business so you could be stuck with making seals yourself. I could tell you a good material(s), but not sure of durometer.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Unless you are buying some special 3 piece wheel, the 3 pieces bolt together to make one solid unit. Where the pressure retaining parts mate, they should have a seal. Better do some homework on what you are buying and planning to do. Some older manufactures are out of business so you could be stuck with making seals yourself. I could tell you a good material(s), but not sure of durometer.
Brand is I-Forged and still in business. Couldn't find seals of any kind on their store site, but I can contact them should I decide to purchase. JohnnyDee: Do you know if the company you used replaced seals?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
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From: San Diego CA
Another thing to remember is that the back of the hub should not be coated, as it needs to be very flat against its mounting surface. I would think that most powder coaters know this, but it's good to verify.
Many folks also recommend that the wheel's lug nut mounting faces be masked before coating, but those areas in my MX5 Enkei Racing wheels were coated and there has been no loosening of the nuts over time and mileage.
Many folks also recommend that the wheel's lug nut mounting faces be masked before coating, but those areas in my MX5 Enkei Racing wheels were coated and there has been no loosening of the nuts over time and mileage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
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From: Columbia SC
You are welcome. I learned a lot about 3 piece wheels about 30 years ago with a friend who bought some Gotti wheels to go on his Cobra. They are still the only wheel manufacturer (that I have seen) that actually shows the seals on their website for ordering.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Sullivan Illinois
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JohnnyDee: Do you know if the company you used replaced seals?[/QUOTE]
I don't know if they replace seals. Mine are only 2 piece. Here's the phone number of AWRS in Iowa 855-349-7467 Rodney Hudepohl is the owner. Give him a call, if he doesn't maybe he can lead you to who does. They were nice to deal with.
I don't know if they replace seals. Mine are only 2 piece. Here's the phone number of AWRS in Iowa 855-349-7467 Rodney Hudepohl is the owner. Give him a call, if he doesn't maybe he can lead you to who does. They were nice to deal with.