Anyone powder coat Fuchs?

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Over the last year I have collected a set of 15" x 6 and 7" Fuchs for my car, I had them cleaned this week and have decided that there is to much pitting on the surface to just polish and use them. So I am looking at the alternatives, one of which is to have them powder coated silver. However I am worried that the powder coating is too brittle and will chip easily so I was wondering if anyone has done this before.

Another question is whether it is possible to have more than one color applied so That I could get the silver/black look.

I'm not trying to get a shiny/polished look as I want the earlier 'flat' silver.

tshih · tshih's Garage

These wheels are made from forged aluminum alloy and from a metallurgical stand point aluminum doesn't take to paints very well unless it is anodized on. Anodising is an electrical bonding process for aluminum where by the alloy is first cleaned of the outer oxide layer which is what keeps the metal from "rusting or oxidizing" further and new paint is applied to the new fresh oxide surface from anodizing. I am not completely familiar with powder coating but from what I understand- you dip the part in powder then heat to melt on the paint particles. So unless the paint used was designed for adhering to fresh aluminum oxide it will flake off easily with time.

Jim T · 06-19-2002, 08:00 AM

Fuchs come from the factory with the centers painted - the paint can last for decades.

tshih · tshih's Garage

Bye the way,

Check with Wheel Enhancement or formerly Robert Woods for expert but expensive advice on refinishing Fuchs.

Efrain68912 · 06-19-2002, 10:46 AM

Powdercoating is extremely durable. I use powdercoated wheels on my car and they never chip, crack, or anything. Its really, really durable stuff.

gosla · 06-19-2002, 11:26 AM

Hello;

I tinker around with powder coating in my own shop and have a lot of experience, hanging out at a local pro shop. While it's true that aluminum has some special prep requirements, I see no reason why you couldn't be more than satisfied with the results. I do, however, recommend sandblasting the wheels before powder coating. Also, be aware of the many varieties of the powder available. Epoxy is super strong, but it fades when exposed to UV light (the sun) for a period. Polyesters don't fade, but aren't as strong. Mostly though, pay attention to the prep. The surface needs to be super clean. The way it's cured is critical as well. X degrees for X minutes. No more, no less...

Nicholas

tobluforu · tobluforu's Garage

These were powder coated over a year ago and they still look great. I ask the shop if they could do 2 colors and they said no. Mine too were in bad shape.

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Excellent, it looks like this is the way I'll go. I suppose if I really want the two tone look I can always use normal paint over the powder coat after roughing it up a bit.

stealthn · 06-19-2002, 07:32 PM

R.

Give Colt Powder Coating in Calgary a call, he seems like a nice guy, and knows his stuff.

I agree with most of the statements above, as clean as possible for the wheels and you should be able to powder coat them to last forever.

As far as two colors for powder coating....I "wouldn't" think this would work due to the electrical current can't be captured as far as I know to do only certain areas.

My .02 cents (CDN)

bob hodges · 06-19-2002, 07:38 PM

Power coating is like cermic finish and is very hard and durable. You cannot do two colors.. Lots of folks do the polished look and powder coat the wheels clear . You will never need to polish them again.

Bob 80SC

bell · bell's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by tobluforu
These were powder coated over a year ago and they still look great. I ask the shop if they could do 2 colors and they said no. Mine too were in bad shape.

i like the black and blue...................very tough

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Thanks Bob, Colt was where I was thinking of going, I've used the PlastiBlast place next door for parts and it's reasonably close to me. You have experience with them??

tshih · tshih's Garage

As far as making the new finish lasts a long time,
avoid letting the corrosive brake dust sit on the wheels too long. These dust will eat the new finish fast and all the expense of refinishing will be for nought.

I treat my Fuchs with P21S wheel cleaner and then apply a coat of silicone oil (Black Magic for rubber like tires and Vinyl) on a rag (or paper towels) to the surface to protect the paint and clearcoat on the wheels between washings. The factory recommended vasoline but that's harder to apply and remove.

Tom

Randy W · Randy W's Garage

One thing to consider with powder coating is that it's so durable, you won't want to have to ever remove it if you ever decide you want to go back to an anodized finish. It's tough, but there is a downside to that - it's not easily reversible.

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy W
One thing to consider with powder coating is that it's so durable, you won't want to have to ever remove it if you ever decide you want to go back to an anodized finish. It's tough, but there is a downside to that - it's not easily reversible.

Well the reason I was looking at this is that my wheels are in rough enough shape with pitting that I don't think I can get them to a finish that I would want to just anodize, so not being able to easily remove the powder coating doesn't really worry me.

On the other hand, maybe I just think the wheels are in to bad shape, so take a look at this picture and tell me if this can be polished out.

stealthn · 06-20-2002, 08:54 PM

R,

Wow thoses are pitted....I don't know if you could polish those out, or for that matter if powder coating would cover those over.

I have not had experience with Colt, but I have talked to the owner a couple of times, and he seems like a good honest guy. I was looking to powder coating my fan, and he said it would be no problem (he hasn't seen the clearence yet though

), and he said his minimum was $50 so he suggested I get some buddies who wanted to powder coat stuff to bring it all in and he would do it for $50.

I still can't convince my friends to "donate" things they want powder coated though....

I would take one wheel in and get him to let you know what he thinks with a caveat that if it doesn't come out as you want he would take the powder coating off for free.

Worth a try.

If I can get the fan off and done in a timely manner I still want to get it done, so whomever gets it done first let the other know how it went.

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Well I spent some more time last night on trying to polish out the pitting and while it's better, it's still not great. The other option may be to get them bead blasted again and then clear anodized for a 'rough' finish instead of polished. SInce I want a matte instead of mirror anyways this might end up looking OK. The wheels I haven't tried polishing actually look better with a consistent rough finish, and the pitting isn't as obvious unless you look real close.

I am going to do the powder coating on a number of engine parts sometime next winter, maybe not the fan, but the housing, some of the metal trim and the rocker covers. I also have a new suspension coming that I will need to cleanup, and depending on the condition I may have some of that powder coated as well.

I have lots of things I want to do, but I don't really have the time this year so they may have to wait.

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Rough Finished

Superman · 06-21-2002, 09:47 AM

No to disagree with my good friend Randy, but power coats can be blasted off. No problem, according to my powdercoater. I made him do the fan housing twice. He had no problem with that.

I suppose the only thing I would be tempted to worry about is heat. I think the oven is in the 400-450 degree (F) range.