Powdercoating track wheels
08-21-2009, 09:53 AM
#21
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: SoCal
Posts: 4,507
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I knew about that for magnesium wheels (motorcycle industry), but not aluminum. I'm surprised that 300 degrees F has such a large effect.
I guess you could extend this warning to any modifications that required welding--did you heat treat or shot peen post weld?
I guess you could extend this warning to any modifications that required welding--did you heat treat or shot peen post weld?
08-21-2009, 10:52 AM
#22
Registered User
Originally Posted by Voodoo_S2K,Aug 21 2009, 09:27 AM
All I'm seeing is a lot of assumptions and no evidence to back up these assumptions.
By the same token, it does NOT mean it isn't okay to powdercoat them.
By the same token, it does NOT mean it isn't okay to powdercoat them.
Note that even the materials engineers on that thread didn't reach consensus. That being the case, I think it's reasonable to say that powder coating wheels may compromise their integrity. Whether you think that gamble is worth it for parts which are subjected to immense loads, frequent impacts, and whose failure will often result in an instant and catastrophic loss of control is a personal choice. Unfortunately, that personal choice could also affect whoever's driving near you if / when one of your wheels fails. That being the case, I think your attitude's pretty cavalier.
08-21-2009, 11:14 AM
#23
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Bay Area, California
Posts: 17,792
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Originally Posted by PedalFaster,Aug 21 2009, 11:52 AM
Note that even the materials engineers on that thread didn't reach consensus. That being the case, I think it's reasonable to say that powder coating wheels may compromise their integrity. Whether you think that gamble is worth it for parts which are subjected to immense loads, frequent impacts, and whose failure will often result in an instant and catastrophic loss of control is a personal choice. Unfortunately, that personal choice could also affect whoever's driving near you if / when one of your wheels fails. That being the case, I think your attitude's pretty cavalier.
You may feel that my attitude is cavalier, but keep that in mind the next time you make a poor decision on the track, because that is more like to effect any drivers near you then some powder coated wheels.
Just think of all of the powder coated wheels out there, and compare that to how few documented cases of failures.
08-21-2009, 12:00 PM
#28
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A local autocrosser and friend of mine had a set of wheels that looked very much like that shortly after powder coating.
Turns out it was just the finish that cracked, and the wheels were fine.
Could be the case here too.
Turns out it was just the finish that cracked, and the wheels were fine.
Could be the case here too.
08-21-2009, 12:45 PM
#30
There was an article in the May '09 issue of 'Sports Car' magazine called 'The Deal with Wheels' that addressed this briefly:
[B][I]'Should you have the need to refinish your wheels, all the experts we spoke to reccommend painting them. "The heating process involved with powder coating can affect the heat treatment of the wheel". "When BBS produces a wheel with a powder-coated finish, that process has been engineered into the design of that wheel, once it leaves the factory it should not be powder coated." '
[B][I]'Should you have the need to refinish your wheels, all the experts we spoke to reccommend painting them. "The heating process involved with powder coating can affect the heat treatment of the wheel". "When BBS produces a wheel with a powder-coated finish, that process has been engineered into the design of that wheel, once it leaves the factory it should not be powder coated." '