Repowdercoating forge wheels
 

I have Set of Volk TE37 that i want to refinish and i am leaning towards powder coating as it is more durable. i know when heating up forge wheels their is possibility of weakening it if its at the wrong temp or expose to heat for long time. i found a local that specialize in in powder coating from equipment, car, rims but when i talked to him about forge he wasn't to knowledgeable about it. I explain to the guy that i know forge rims cant be heated or expose to high heat and ask him what is the process on how he would do it. he told me that the curing process would be 30min @ 400 degrees per wheel. i then explain if it possible to go lower heat and said yes as long i use a different powder so what would be the recommend temp and duration i should request to have my wheel refinish

Also need help in picking a color i am trying to get as close to the original white and found two white that was similar

http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/...d/IMAG0091.jpg
https://i881.photobucket.com/albums/...Picture017.jpg
https://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1266/sdc16402.jpg

I can't give you any exact numbers, but a lower temperature "bake" is going to be better for the structural durability of the wheel than a higher temperature. That said, Volk wheels are very strong and odds are you will be fine so long as you don't demand the absolute highest strength from the wheels. All manner of aggressive street driving will be fine. I might be a bit concerned with extended track driving though. If you track frequently I would keep an eye on the wheels. Just something to keep in mind.

As far as color, my vote goes to "gloss white".

Forged 6061-T6 will begin to overage and weaken at temperatures over 350F, but it is very time-dependant. 30 minutes at 400F is probably nothing to worry about.

Quick look at a reference volume from the Aluminum Association, "Properties of Aluminum Alloys, Tensile, Creep, and Fatigue data at High and Low Temperatures", pp 166, 168 shows less than a 2% loss of ultimate strength (310MPa -> 305MPa), and no loss of yield strength (275MPa) in 6061-T6 after 1/2hr at 400F.

However, after 10 hours at 400F, there's about a 10% reduction in strength (Ftu 310 -> 275MPa, Fty 275 -> 250MPa).

And after 1/2hr at 450F, ~6% reduction in strength (Ftu 310->290MPa, Fty 275->260MPa).


If they're only at 400F for 1/2 hour, IMO you're OK.

Good information...If you don't mind, I'll be "borrowing" that from you! :tipwink:

Thanks!