Powdercoated Wheels

[FordNut]

They're done. Hope to post pics this weekend. Observations so far: they're fragile and if I had it to do over again I would anodize instead.

[Marauderman]

Here again--for those of us and ghost look-ins-- can you explain the difference of the two coatings and why one is maybe better over the other--of course in your opinion -- no other way--Thanks--Tom..

[FordNut]

Powdercoating involves spraying a colored powder on the metal surface, then cooking in a high temperature oven. The powder is kept on the metal prior to heating by an electrostatic charge, then when the heating takes place the powder particles melt together to form a solid, very hard surface. It is similar to painting but more durable.

I believe anodizing involves submerging the metal parts in a colored, conductive liquid and applying an electrical charge to the parts. The liquid then undergoes a reaction and basically becomes a part of the metal. This is a similar process to chrome plating, except the chrome plating process leaves a separate layer of the plating metal on top of the base metal while anodizing actually colors the base metal itself. Anodized surfaces appear to have a very light, transparent coating on them and color selection is very limited.

Powdercoating, painting, and plating can hide some scratches and surface imperfections while anodizing shows exactly what condition the surface was in before coloring. Powdercoating and painting has a tendency to chip off some surfaces. I got a little ding and knocked a chip off before I even got the tires mounted but I was able to hide it. But it will probably happen again and not be in a place that can be easily hidden. Anodized surfaces will not chip. Hit it with a hammer and you get a dent and can see bare metal at the edges of the dent, but down in the dent the color is still there. Anodizing is much more expensive however.

[Marauderman]

WOW--I must say --request from a member-- and you shall receive--GREAT reply for all those in need--- this will surely be in the "search" box for a long time regarding this info---- you explained this very well ..Thanks for all concerned--especially me...

So it begs the question for others as well.. how about giving us a ballpark-- low to high --of the Anodising cost---realizing of course different regions--thus the high /low and ballpark--again in your opinion..--=again-great reply-- Tom..

[FordNut]

It's hard to give a cost comparison. One of my friends has a machine shop and sends parts out for anodizing sometimes. He doesn't even know of a facility that can handle something as big as the MM wheels. As for the powdercoating, it cost me about $75/wheel to have them done. I may be able to get a comparison of cost on some smaller parts just to get an idea of the price differences.

[Marauderman]

All of your efforts are not gone invain--I and alot of others appreciate whatever you do ---it's nice to have friends like this --the best we haven't even met yet--Yeah!! Imagine if we all could--at one time--oh --I covered that in a thread way back----only with lotto money could it be done---best go get a tickedt--it's up to 140Mil-Thanks again --will look for any updates on this --..Tom.

[FordNut]

Maybe not all of us in one place but the closest thing to it will be Ennis!

[Warpath]

Originally posted by FordNut
... This is a similar process to chrome plating, except the chrome plating process leaves a separate layer of the plating metal on top of the base metal while anodizing actually colors the base metal itself...


Anodizing as I understand it is an electroplating process similar to chrome plating that leaves a layer of coating on top of the metal. It doesn't actually physically change the metal. It is very similar to the gold color bolts and nuts. The only way I know how to change the color of a metal without covering it is to let it rust.

[FordNut]

Didn't get around to installing them on the car, but here's a couple of pics. Couldn't really tell if the pics look better with or w/o flash so...

Without:

[FordNut]

With flash:

[JET]

Can't wait to see them on the car.

[FordNut]

The pics didn't come out so good, here's a doctored one

[Petrograde]

WOW! cant wait to see pics after they're installed!! If you will excuse me I have find someone who can do this for me!

[SouLRioT]

FordNut: If I remember correctly, you are leaving the cap chrome or are you going to paint it black too? Oh and the lugs too?

[CRUZTAKER]

Nice Job :up

Mine are powdercoated black, but with the outer rim polished. Centercap is currently stock, and lugs have black tips on chrome. I did research on this mod some time back and discovered that the overall price of the project doing anodizing is similar in cost, but there is a question of fading if kept in the sun too long. Anodizing wheels for long term use in sun and/or salt or any other corrossive enviroment was not recommended by the wheel refinishers in my area. They could not/ would not guarantee the finish for more than a few months. Powdercoat, once cured, is the way to go for a good finish. JMHO.

-Barry

Below is a pic from when I was still color sampling. You may be able to see the outer rim as high polished. I felt it would offset the chrome centercap and lugs.

[tetsu]

Wow. Those look nice. Only change i'd make would be to
spray the centercap black.

Johnny

[FordNut]

And yes, I will be leaving the lugs, center caps, and valve stems chrome.

Cruz, I like the polished lip but the powdercoaters I had mine done by advised against it. Claimed it would be hard to get a smooth transition that would be durable. If you're in Ennis we'll compare.

[FordNut]

Finally got them on. Didn't have time to paint the calipers yet. I believe the red calipers will make a big difference, especially with the red stripes.

[FordNut]

Another angle...

[FordNut]

A closer view

[Mike M]

Any chance you can get your money back and your polished rims restored? Its waaayyy to much black, the polished rims were the perfect conrast to a black car. Now you have no contrast ... just ....BLACK! Also with so much black now the tires look gray.
Just my opinion.
Mike

[Constable]

ArmorAll to the rescue!!!!!

Is it me, or doesn't it look like B.A. Baracus should be piloting that vehicle??? I'm sure Hannibal, Face, and Merdock will fit snugly in the remaining 3 seats.

[FordNut]

I still have my polished wheels. The tires haven't even been cleaned up yet, so I expect ArmorAll to take care of the gray color. Several threads in these forums have focused on the stealth look with blacked out wheels. Somebody had to try it, so call me a Guinea Pig, oink, oink! I just wanted to get it done before Ennis so any other interested folks could see it.

Sorry, but I'm about to get off-topic here...

Constable,
I see from your sig that you're going to use the Kooks long tubes. Which size? 1-5/8 of 1-7/8? What size pipes? 2-1/4 or 2-1/2?Anxious to hear a report after installation. Hope you can get a before and after dyno comparison.

[bigslim]

I hate to say it but it now looks like a Chevy Lumina. The wheels make the car look cheaper too. I guess to each their own. Hey FordNut, if you are happy then I am happy.

[Petrograde]

Hey Fordnut, to each his own...

[TAF]

FordNut...I LIKE THEM!!!:up:

GREAT JOB! Looking forward to seeing them in person. Let me know how easy the G2 stuff is on the calipers.

[Constable]

Nut - I went with the 1 5/8" with a 2 1/2" collector. I'm going to try to get two good puls prior and 2-3 pulls after installation. I'll be sure to post a thread afterward. Your car looks good... make sure you post a few pics of it after the tires are clean and the calipers are painted, I want to see it all decked out.

[martyo]

Why is it that everyone always rags on the pioneers? I believe that Brian was one of the first to modify the dead pedal and that turned out to be a great idea!! Brian was also one of the first (if not the first) to do an SVT girdle and, BAM !, another great idea.

The way I look at it, either lead, follow, or get the Frig outta the way!!

Keep up the good work and the experimentation Brian. I think the car looks cool.

BTW: You'll love the G2 caliper paint. I sure do. And, I haven;t even roasted it off of my car brakes yet. It is holding up quite nicely.

[SouLRioT]

The red calipers will finish it off, IMO. I dont know if you've thought of it yet, but how about painting the background of your badges red too? not sure if it will look good or not but its a thought.

[Mike M]

No ragging...just opinions...the reason we are all here.

[jgc61sr2002]

FordNut - The rims look great. That was an excellent idea of keeping the original rims. You change the rims whenever you want.:up: