Whats up guys,
I have been searching the threads about powder coating BBS wheels and have been finding that at certain temperatures the wheel may become very weak and brittle.?? What are these temperatures? If the temperatures were lowered to powder coat aluminum would the powder coat still stick on the wheel or be durable through the elements? Is there a special way to powder coat a BBS wheel without the possibility of it cracking or failure of the wheel in the long run? Is use of the wheel a factor?

Any information about powder coating would be very helpful guys. Thanks

 

I don't know that anyone knows an "exact" temp where the structural integrity of the alloy is compromised. My powdercoater told me it was anything above 350 degrees. Just to be safe mine were done with a special low temp coating around 200 degrees.

 

Knowing the possibility of risk, why go with powdercoating versus painting? Any weakening and all is going to be rather dangerous considering how thin the spokes are and the kind of loads the wheels are subjected to during the high-speed cornering our cars are capable of.

 

i once had some wheels powder coated for a honda accord i used to have...and never had any problems with it..then again i didnt autocross or track my car in anyway. mmmmmm...im not real sure.

 

I've raced my Evo quite extensively on powdercoated Evo 8 Enkei rims. These same powdercoated rims were used by a friend in tarmac rallying. I've had them acid dipped to get all the powdercoating off and they show no signs of stress or cracking.

 

Yea I'm pretty sure you should be fine

 

I opted to paint my BBS MR wheels because of the risk with weakening forged wheels... It is a "do at your own risk" kind of thing..

Good luck!

 

Paint is not as durable or doesn't last as long as powder coat (or so I've heard) which is why I would rather have it last then start chipping away the next day. I just don't know much about what is going to happen with the wheel in the long run. I do know that it will look bad a$$ after its done.

 

Personally I like the rims as they are!

 

what kind of coating is on them now. i am sure they are not paimted stock. so it must be a powdercoating.

i too am thinking about powdercoating my bbs wheels.