Clear Coating Aluminum Rims

[sage]

There was a thread some time ago about powder coating an aluminum aircraft frame and how it was not approved by inspectors because heating the aluminum affects the heat treating of the aluminum destroying it's strength properties.
I have a '77 vette with factory aluminum wheels and the original clear coat (assumed to be lacquer) has deterioriated. Im going to assume using a nice powder clear coat to replace it is out of the question for the resons mentioned above.
Any profssional opinions on this OTHER than the usual "I've done i and never had any problem" ??

Any one know what alloy aluminum rims are usually made from so I can investigate the effects of heating the wheels?


Sage

[pickleboy]

Originally Posted by sage

There was a thread some time ago about powder coating an aluminum aircraft frame and how it was not approved by inspectors because heating the aluminum affects the heat treating of the aluminum destroying it's strength properties.
I have a '77 vette with factory aluminum wheels and the original clear coat (assumed to be lacquer) has deterioriated. Im going to assume using a nice powder clear coat to replace it is out of the question for the resons mentioned above.
Any profssional opinions on this OTHER than the usual "I've done i and never had any problem" ??

Any one know what alloy aluminum rims are usually made from so I can investigate the effects of heating the wheels?


Sage

i can say that lots of wheels have been done in the past by lots of coaters. i have not done any yet but will soon be doing the wheels for my harley. i have no fear of doing them. as for the thread you mentioned, in the aircraft arena the rules are very different than on the road since you dont have to wory about a car falling out of the sky. as for the alloy it would depend on the wheel, is it cast? then most likely 356 is the alloy. if billet it will likely be 6061. as for the heating of aluminum destroying the temper or heat treatment that is an area that you need to research and draw your own conclusions. the info is on a thread on this board somewhere from a previous post. it gave a link to a heat treatment chart. as i am not a metalurgist i cant say its ok to do it, if you are not fully confident after your searching then dont take the chance. also maybe try calling some wheel manufacturers and ask them. hope this helps bro. i am sure it is clear as mud now.

[sage]

Contacting wheel manufacturers would be a good idea. Thanks.
Hey maybe a good reason to emaill Chip Foos or Boyd Coddington

Thanks
Sage