Anodize or Powder Coat?

[Grumple]

Whats the best to use on a motorcycle hub? And another off topic question. Can anodized stuff be welded as normal?

[LOON]

I don't know much about the hub-thing....but anodized parts of the piece have to be removed before welding. The electric arc (I hope this is the correct term) is not able to crack the oxide layer, cause the melting point is about three times higher.

[destroyer125]

Comparing and contrasting powdercoat and anodizing is like comparing apples to oranges. Most car/motorcycle guys are going to prefer powdercoat, mainly because they are more farmiliar with the coating, but it also holds up better on wheels and can be fixed alot easier. Im not sure how big of a role it plays, but I was reading on a car forum that an anodized wheel holds more heat then a PC'd wheel, and that this can lead to the brakes being able to shed less heat to the wheels. Anything that is welded and then anodized is going to anodize fine, except for the weld, which will usually discolor or pit. However, You cannot weld an anodized part, as the coating does not conduct electricity.

[Grumple]

Glad I asked. Thanks. Being I am still getting set up etc I was wondering if you can remove powder coat after it is sprayed on, to clean up an area or is it better to wait until after you oven cure it? On the hub spoke holes for instance, if you plug them I think it would be hard to find a plug (maybe I am wrong) that would fit properly where the end of the spoke is recessed. Is is proper procedure to use a drill bit after powder coating to clean up this area or is it ok to remove the sprayed powder before curing it? What is the correct way?

[acidrain]

I saw an episode of Orange County Choppers the other day where Pauly went to the PC company that is doing their stuff and applied the PC himself... I was surprised when they took an air blower and simply blew off unwanted areas of the powder before baking (at the serial number).
Also, the masks are applied first, then powder applied, then the mask pulled, then baked.
If you drill out the PC after baking, it will chip.

[Grumple]

So did Paul Sr. kick his butt I kind of thought the PC would chip so thats why I asked. I thought the special tape they sell is for putting into the oven?? What other masks can be used besides the special tape. Regular painters tape, masking tape? And for the silicone plugs I guess you could use paper or wood as long as you pull them before baking? Is it best to use silicone plugs and leave them in on holes like spoke holes or pull the plugs as the powder won't run or move from where its sprayed?

[acidrain]

Paul Sr. only kicks Pauly's ass when he can catch him, which isn't often.
Check with the PC guys... I'm only guessing.