Powder coating.

Myke · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 6:11 pm

Is it possible to powder coat the stock rims?

bennybmn · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 7:08 pm

I think most metals can be powder coated... I know guys who have had the frames of their bikes coated. PRobably need to be stripped of any paint/clear coat first, but whatever shop does it will do that. Only problem is being without wheels for a few days :lol:

barhpr · **Posted:** Thu Dec 08, 2005 8:10 pm

I powder coated alot of bikes,from what i understand, the material has to be able to conduct electricity, due to they magnatise the material being coated. I had alum that i had to have chromed first,so that it would conduct the electricty,hope this helps,and good luck.

VTNomad · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 12:44 am

Aluminum can be anodized. I don't think it's as tough as powder coating, but it's not as expensive. Powder coats are dry acryllic particles that are electrostatically attracted to a metal, then baked on.

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2005 3:19 am

I have things powdercoated for work all the time-aluminum can be powder coated, sand the clear off your wheels with 40 grit, then smooth out with 60 grit. Anodizing is not very tough and likes to scratch. I work in a machine shop building stern drives. We get this stuff all the time and powdercoating is the toughest finish you can put on metal. Yes it will scratch, but no where near as easily as anodizing. We never have our stern drives chromed before powdercoating, like VTnomad said, it is electrostaticly charged NOT magnetized. It is important to make sure the wheels are free from any defects (scratches, etc) as powdercoating (especially darker colors) will show everything. Hope this helps.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:42 am

Hijack!

What about "zinc plating"? Is that anodizong? I got Rusty's TC skid and it came looking a bit raw even though the site said they come powder coated black. When I called he said it was zinc plated and that its better and stronger than powdercoat?? I was more concerned with rust and he said it wouldnt rust either. I still plan on painting it.

jdumont · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:03 am

It could have been zinc chromated....stay away from chromate if you want any longevity. You can scratch through chromates with your finger nails if you are deliberate enough. Go with the powder coat or hard anodize process....

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:40 pm

even anodizing scratches easy. powder coat is the only way to go. It will still scratch but it is much longer lasting.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:29 pm

What's up with Rusty and the BS he fed me about the zinc crap? :evil:

ManicMechanicJoe · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 10:53 pm

according to his ad it is OFFERED in black powder coat. Powder coat is very expensive and for $109 you shouldn't expect powder coat. Skid plates are difficult to make and take a lot of time. The ad does say black primer, no zinc wont rust but his ad does mention anything beside powdercoat or primer. Zinc is super cheap and we use it to protect aluminum for our sterndrives at work. The zinc dissolves in salt water before the aluminum protecting the aluminum. It's called electrolysis (s/p). That wont happen unless you are in salt water. Thats the only way aluminum can corrode. Since the plates are steel, and steel likes to rust-the zinc will protect the skid from rusting. extended stays in salt water will help you zinc corrode and therefore allow the steel to rust. Zinc Chromate is often used before powdercoat, that way if the powder coat gets scratched, you still have the Zinc to protect it from rusting.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:02 pm

I only expected it because this is what it says on top of the web page:

Quote:

Liberty Skid Plates are sent out powder-coated black. They are only orange in these photos to highlight the parts.

And I specifically asked him when placing the order-at the time he said it was. Then the first one was LOST in transit and this one showed up naked. :evil:

Powder coating.

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