hogtyed
Paul
I've been working on the rims and they seem like they just might be too far gone with the pitting.
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Should I just powder coat the rims?
- Thread starter hogtyed
- Start date
hogtyed
Paul
What does the inside look like? At some point you have lost enough aluminum to corrosion, that weakness or cracking could happen. I've tossed several rims that were beyond saving. Have you been able to loosen all the nipples? you're going to want to retension and true them also.
hogtyed
Paul
Had troubles loosening the nipples, even after soaking, so I took a grinder and cut all the spokes off. I have a new set of stainless to go in. I have been waffling between polishing and powder coating, and it looks like polishing is out after taking an abrasive brush to the front. The hub polished up nicely.
jabcb
XS650 Enthusiast
Powder coated rims are easier to nick up when you mount tires.
Do you have someone to mount the tires that’s worked with powder coating before? Or have you?
Do you have someone to mount the tires that’s worked with powder coating before? Or have you?
hogtyed
Paul
It's not going to be me. I cussed enough and bent spoons just taking the tires off the rims.
I'm not don't putting some elbow grease into these yet. I'm still going see if I can shine them up.
Was wondering about inside of rim. Usually worst rot is in there. By the way new tires are MUCH easier cuz they aint rock hard from age.
Problem with powder coat, too sensitive to chemicals. I just bought a cheap powder coat system and use an electric cook oven to cure. Thought about taking oven elements and a big steel cabinet for frames and bigger shit. Fun to play with but powder coat isn't for everything. My next venture, vapor hone.
Royboy
many roads, little time
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I powder coated the rims on my 77'D two years ago. The shop that did the work does a lot of motorcycle work and knew what they were doing. We did rims, hubs and spokes without disassembly. I expected that might be a mistake due to flexing of the various parts. But, after two years and 3,000 miles there have been no prolems.
roy
roy
I just polished a front wheel, rim and hub with the spokes on, I sanded and brush painted the spokes with Rust Reformer and aluminum paint. It looks great from 10 feet away. I had no problem snugging up the nipples that had to be turned. I'll never do that again. But I would do the same thing with the spokes removed.
Scott
Scott
member3480
RICH
I have powder coated over 50 wheels and when you install the tires just buy some rim protectors or just buy some 1/2 " hose and slit it and move it around rim as you install tires. Powder coating will cover up bad spots and also put some strength back into the wheel if its done right by someone who does it. I just did a tank that was made and needed to be a little stronger and it did what it should. I would break the wheels down and buy new spokes. Do it right and once
PowderedTank? I just tried one awhile back. My issue, body filler. I found some aluminum body filler but the problem, aluminum on steel expands and retracts with heat leaving waves in the finish. I'll figure it out.
jabcb
XS650 Enthusiast
hogtyed
Paul
I'll trade you straight across. 
jabcb
XS650 Enthusiast
Thanks for the tip on powder coat & brake fluid.
Those wheels are for a Suzuki so they wouldn’t do you much good.
Having rims + hubs black powder coated isn’t all that expensive. Having them polished & clear coated was a good bit more.
I tried polishing myself but I wasn’t all that good at it.
I asked around for recommendations & ended up using a local shop for black & silver powder coating.
For polishing & clear coating, I use a member of a Suzuki forum.
Those wheels are for a Suzuki so they wouldn’t do you much good.
Having rims + hubs black powder coated isn’t all that expensive. Having them polished & clear coated was a good bit more.
I tried polishing myself but I wasn’t all that good at it.
I asked around for recommendations & ended up using a local shop for black & silver powder coating.
For polishing & clear coating, I use a member of a Suzuki forum.
