question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

[ChiPhoon]

i really like the brush polish look of the stock wheels, but when i bought my truck they came powdercoated, and to me these don't look as good. they are more of a grey color then anything. i really love the stock wheels so i was thinking, since mine are in good shape and don't seem to have any balance or bending issues ( seemingly anyways) if i polish the inner face portion of the wheel will the edges or inner holes on them flake off? i don't want to polish the insides just the face, and never did anything like this before. can anyone with experience help me out? i am trying to avoid purchasing a new set of wheels. thanks guys

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

The stock wheels weren't brush polished. They were machined with concentric circles, diamond cut I believe, all the way over the face. I think polished or chrome wheels look really bad personally and if you polish them, that's what you will have. If you want to refinish them then they need a machine to do it.

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

The stock wheels weren't brush polished. They were machined with concentric circles, diamond cut I believe, all the way over the face. I think polished or chrome wheels look really bad personally and if you polish them, that's what you will have. If you want to refinish them then they need a machine to do it.

thanks for the response, i guess i should have been more clear ofcourse i know i wont get the factory polish, but what i want to do and be happy with is just a sanding down and giving them the look of a brushed polish ( from some i seen online that i think looked good not shiney polished but more of a brushed polish ( my personal taste or opinion ofcourse), i have experience in cnc alum work just not working around or with powdercoating , but that's not really the point of my post, i was asking about the edges from powder coating and how they will hold up. thanks for your response though

 

[sae]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I wouldn't even start that if you haven't. Take them to a wheel place and let them do it unless you're looking to spend hours on each wheel just to get them okay looking. As far as it peeling if you leave an edge, it probably will be a start point down the road if not coated.

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I wouldn't even start that if you haven't. Take them to a wheel place and let them do it unless you're looking to spend hours on each wheel just to get them okay looking. As far as it peeling if you leave an edge, it probably will be a start point down the road if not coated.

i have not started it but i have plenty of time since its stored for the winter i wont drive it for another 2 months atleast. but just curious about the powdercoating, i hope some who works with powder coating can chime in and confrim, either way i am ok sanding these down myself , spent plenty of time doing aluminum in my life im not worried about the time etc..

but they wont be left uncoated either way thats not a problem.

 

[RealFastV6]

question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

Powdercoating doesn't generally flake. If done properly it will adhere to the base material as well or better than to itself. If you want to remove it in a specific place, acetone will dissolve it. Depending on the thickness it will take quite a few passes and some time.

You could probably just go over it with a scotchbrite pad if you want to matte it down a little. If they're really a deep gloss then they were probably clear powdercoated on top of the color.


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[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

Powdercoating doesn't generally flake. If done properly it will adhere to the base material as well or better than to itself. If you want to remove it in a specific place, acetone will dissolve it. Depending on the thickness it will take quite a few passes and some time.

You could probably just go over it with a scotchbrite pad if you want to matte it down a little. If they're really a deep gloss then they were probably clear powdercoated on top of the color.


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thanks for the reply, it does seem to be pretty thick, don't think they were clear/powdercoated since they kinda look more dull then glossy. i have nothing to lose i suppose, an time to burn, just didn't want to waste the time doing it if the left behind pwodercoating would come off, ill try an area to see how thick it is i suppose, thanks for the info.

 

[Blazin_Jason]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

If they were done right the powder should have good adhesion and shouldn't chip. Over time it could be a starting point for corrosion, but it doesn't sound like it sees bad weather. Depending on how they were prepped they could/should have been blasted, which would mean a bit more sanding to remove the rough profile. MEK will work better than acetone if you want to use chemicals. Might be better off trying to remove it mechanically.

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

If they were done right the powder should have good adhesion and shouldn't chip. Over time it could be a starting point for corrosion, but it doesn't sound like it sees bad weather. Depending on how they were prepped they could/should have been blasted, which would mean a bit more sanding to remove the rough profile. MEK will work better than acetone if you want to use chemicals. Might be better off trying to remove it mechanically.

ye not sure what processed was used, but i haven't seen any breakdown on them thus far and i think they have been done over 3 years for sure, i might just pass on experimenting with this set then because to many what if-s don't mind putting the time in but don't wanna waste the time as well, i guess the hunt for rims begins, thanks for the reply.

 

[2500avalanche]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I tried to polish a set of old acura wheels I purchased as winter rims. I figured, what the hey!
I did find a couple of great resources on polishing that if needed I can PM you.
After several hours, and getting half of one completed.... I just purchased wheel paint, brought them back to stock, and was happy.
I would like to try, but not on the sy rims

 

[fauXGT]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I didn't want to spend the $800 to professionally refinish the stockers, but ended up putting in about 40 hours on these. I thought about powdercoating the inserts, but when a good clear coat is applied, painted inserts should hold up. Painted to match cladding. I had to fix some nasty pitting, then heavy scotchbrited a directional finish.Polished the lip. Top coated with Por-15 two part clear. Wet sanded up to 3k and wax polish. Don't know about how the powder coat edge will hold up, but some sort of top coat should be applied to protect the raw aluminum and that should keep the edge from peeling.

 

[SY2932]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I didn't want to spend the $800 to professionally refinish the stockers, but ended up putting in about 40 hours on these. I thought about powdercoating the inserts, but when a good clear coat is applied, painted inserts should hold up. Painted to match cladding. I had to fix some nasty pitting, then heavy scotchbrited a directional finish.Polished the lip. Top coated with Por-15 two part clear. Wet sanded up to 3k and wax polish. Don't know about how the powder coat edge will hold up, but some sort of top coat should be applied to protect the raw aluminum and that should keep the edge from peeling.

That looks awesome ! Others have had excellent results replicating the stock finish using Scotch Bright finishing pads. I would recommend the #7447 pad which is maroon in color. That is what used used to refinish my friend's intake with a few years ago:

The powder coating *should* adhere to the vanes better than the wheel surface since it is so rough to begin with.

 

[fauXGT]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

That looks awesome ! Others have had excellent results replicating the stock finish using Scotch Bright finishing pads. I would recommend the #7447 pad which is maroon in color. That is what used used to refinish my friend's intake with a few years ago:

The powder coating *should* adhere to the vanes better than the wheel surface since it is so rough to begin with.

I do believe that is the scotchbrite I used. The clear took away a bit of the 'raw' brushed aluminum look.

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I didn't want to spend the $800 to professionally refinish the stockers, but ended up putting in about 40 hours on these. I thought about powdercoating the inserts, but when a good clear coat is applied, painted inserts should hold up. Painted to match cladding. I had to fix some nasty pitting, then heavy scotchbrited a directional finish.Polished the lip. Top coated with Por-15 two part clear. Wet sanded up to 3k and wax polish. Don't know about how the powder coat edge will hold up, but some sort of top coat should be applied to protect the raw aluminum and that should keep the edge from peeling.

wow yea those look fantastic for sure! now you got me thinking again maybe worth the try! great job,

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I tried to polish a set of old acura wheels I purchased as winter rims. I figured, what the hey!
I did find a couple of great resources on polishing that if needed I can PM you.
After several hours, and getting half of one completed.... I just purchased wheel paint, brought them back to stock, and was happy.
I would like to try, but not on the sy rims

ye i def am interested in seeing what resources you found that may help! thanks for the reply!

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

That looks awesome ! Others have had excellent results replicating the stock finish using Scotch Bright finishing pads. I would recommend the #7447 pad which is maroon in color. That is what used used to refinish my friend's intake with a few years ago:

The powder coating *should* adhere to the vanes better than the wheel surface since it is so rough to begin with.

found your awesome thread as well, MAN so much nice work there!
http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39818

my rims are in great shape as well so i have at least that going for me.

 

[SY2932]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

found your awesome thread as well, MAN so much nice work there!
http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39818

my rims are in great shape as well so i have at least that going for me.

Thanks. AFAIK, no one has did an intake or IC from start to finish. Once they realize how much work it is, they give up :lol:.

This is my latest project for a friend of mine:

That tunnel ram and intake is a mountain of aluminum. It is probably the equivalent of 3 syty intakes :lol:...

Either way, post of pics of how you make out. I sure others would like to see the effect !

 

[ChiPhoon]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

Thanks. AFAIK, no one has did an intake or IC from start to finish. Once they realize how much work it is, they give up :lol:.

This is my latest project for a friend of mine:

That tunnel ram and intake is a mountain of aluminum. It is probably the equivalent of 3 syty intakes :lol:...

Either way, post of pics of how you make out. I sure others would like to see the effect !

oh man that's allot of commitment! def paid off for you. i originally wanted to tackle polishing my intake, but since everything was powder coated. ill probably end up buying a spare intake and take my time instead of playing with the powder coating removal on my intake. im going to research a little more of the powder coating removal and experiment for my wheels and post up when i do start.

 

[mattw]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

I didn't want to spend the $800 to professionally refinish the stockers, but ended up putting in about 40 hours on these. I thought about powdercoating the inserts, but when a good clear coat is applied, painted inserts should hold up. Painted to match cladding. I had to fix some nasty pitting, then heavy scotchbrited a directional finish.Polished the lip. Top coated with Por-15 two part clear. Wet sanded up to 3k and wax polish. Don't know about how the powder coat edge will hold up, but some sort of top coat should be applied to protect the raw aluminum and that should keep the edge from peeling.

Those look great.. I think thats next on my to-do list once all of my cladding is bolted on..

Any particular reason you used the Por-15 clear? I'm thinking of using just regular automotive clear..

What kind of motion did you use with those Scotchbrite pads?

Also, how do you like those Cooper tires? I'm looking to pick up a new set before I take the truck in for inspection this spring..

 

[fauXGT]

Re: question, sanding down powdercoated wheels.

Those look great.. I think thats next on my to-do list once all of my cladding is bolted on..

Any particular reason you used the Por-15 clear? I'm thinking of using just regular automotive clear..

What kind of motion did you use with those Scotchbrite pads?

Also, how do you like those Cooper tires? I'm looking to pick up a new set before I take the truck in for inspection this spring..

I asked about that at the paint store, especially when I thought about using the two part Eastwood cans of clear, being I've never mixed & shot clear. Was told that Most top clear coats aren't designed to bond to raw aluminum. They recommended the Por clear using the etching solution. Very stinky stuff, and takes 2-4 days to cure. The slow cure gives it a chance to flow. And it cures faster in humid conditions.

As far as the motion, I mounted the wheel with the center caps on the front axle of a 2wd, and spun them with the scotchbrite across the face. Then polished the lip.

These tires are pretty good. I don't drive it in anything but sunshine and they handle good. I got them 5 years ago, but the shop where I got them (friends of the family) no longer carries Coopers, being he had balancing issues.