revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 2:47 pm**

I have some wheels that are pretty scuffed up and I want to change their colour (I think). Is paint or powder coat better for longevity?

Thanks

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 2:52 pm**

Powder. You should've asked at weekend. We had our zx6 wheels done a year or so ago. They look brand new

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:06 pm**

I hadn't thought about it then to be honest. I was on the way home and I started to think about putting the honda I had at Pembrey back on the road and what it would need.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:16 pm**

Rear of bike up on stand. Mask off the tyre.

Put into gear. Start engine. Rattle can onto wheel.

They look like new

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:28 pm**

Powder is definitely more hard wearing than paint, but it does need a bit more prep (removing bearings etc.) The powder coat guy I use in Shropshire has a 5 step process that I'm not sure all powder coaters use:

1. Chemically strip then vapour blast wheels
2. Mask up or plug all threads and bearing surfaces
3. Put wheels in oven for approx 30 minutes to de-gas; if you don't do this you run the risk of pinholes from escaping gas.
4. Apply primer and bake in oven
5. Apply top coat and bake in oven

In particular a lot of the cheaper outfits omit steps 3 and 4 and may use bead blasting rather than vapour blast.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:44 pm**

mangocrazy wrote: Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:28 pm Powder is definitely more hard wearing than paint, but it does need a bit more prep (removing bearings etc.) The powder coat guy I use in Shropshire has a 5 step process that I'm not sure all powder coaters use:

1. Chemically strip then vapour blast wheels
2. Mask up or plug all threads and bearing surfaces
3. Put wheels in oven for approx 30 minutes to de-gas; if you don't do this you run the risk of pinholes from escaping gas.
4. Apply primer and bake in oven
5. Apply top coat and bake in oven

In particular a lot of the cheaper outfits omit steps 3 and 4 and may use bead blasting rather than vapour blast.

I spoke to a guy who was exhibiting at a local car show and was talking to him about doing a frame I have too. I'll talk to him again about the wheels and check the process he uses so this is really useful, thanks.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 4:19 pm**

There might also be a final clear coat that's applied; I'd need to check with Andy on that.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 7:14 pm**

Have a look at someone's work before spending money, some powder coaters like a thick coating.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 7:31 pm**

Definitely powder coat if it was me, but then I've got somewhere I've used a few times & trust. Find somewhere busy with lots of good reviews/feedback.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 7:37 pm**

Last bike I had powder coated was a 1982 DT50MX*, in about 1986. Did the swingarm and the fame in red.

*technically a DT60MX - it had a big bore kit.

Posted: **Sun Aug 13, 2023 8:02 pm**

Bloke near Trickys did mine. Well, I dropped bike at my mechanic mate at MSG racing and he sorted it all through ilthe bloke

revtothelimit - motorbike forum

Powder coat or paint wheels?

Powder coat or paint wheels?

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