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Powder coating vs Anodizing

Started by TiAvenger, February 23, 2009, 12:16:23 PM

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TiAvenger

February 23, 2009, 12:16:23 PM
My project bike has some SC aluminum spokes (wheels) and I cant decide if I should anodize them, or powder coat them to match the frame and swing arm. What are the advantages/disadvantages to powder coating aluminum?

Speeddog

#1
February 23, 2009, 12:30:46 PM
I'd either paint them or anodize them.

I'm concerned about the powder coat baking fvcking the heat treatment on the rims.
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TiAvenger

#2
February 23, 2009, 12:33:33 PM
Quote from: Speeddog on February 23, 2009, 12:30:46 PM
I'd either paint them or anodize them.

I'm concerned about the powder coat baking fvcking the heat treatment on the rims.

My concern also.  I'm assuming I can get them anodized close to the same color (Titanium gray) as the frame and swingarm correct?

Also how expensive is anodizing?

ducpainter

#3
February 23, 2009, 12:56:31 PM
Quote from: Speeddog on February 23, 2009, 12:30:46 PM
I'd either paint them or anodize them.

I'm concerned about the powder coat baking fvcking the heat treatment on the rims.

and possibly warping them to a shape not desirable for holding tires.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
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Speeddog

#4
February 23, 2009, 01:00:12 PM
If you go with a hard black anodize, it's kind of a charcoal gray/black.
A clear hard anodize is a lighter gray.

Regular color anodize you can get almost any color you want.
Problem is, they fade with sunlight exposure.
Black will go funky purple, red goes pink, gold fades a bit but it's not too bad.
The 'color-fastness' depends on how good the anodizing shop is.
I've had black go purple within a couple weeks of very limited sunlight.

Talk to a local shop near you, they should have samples of what the various types of anodizing look like.

Typical lot charge will be about $100 or so for anodize.
Smooth, shiny aluminum will anodize different from a relatively rough casting, so keep that in mind too.
Different aluminum alloys 'take' the color differently too.
- - - - - Valley Desmo Service - - - - -
Reseda, CA
(951) 640-8908

~~~ "We've rearranged the deck chairs, refilled the champagne glasses, and the band sounds great. This is fine." - Alberto Puig ~~~

Duck-Stew

#5
February 23, 2009, 01:06:58 PM
Clear hard anodize actually ends up a grey/brown color (kinda cool).  I used it on the outer fork tubes of the M1000SS.

With an aluminum hoop, I wouldn't p'coat it because of the heat issues indicated above.  If they were steel hoops, I'd p'coat them without hesitation.
Bike-less Portuguese immigrant enjoying life.

TiAvenger

#6
February 23, 2009, 01:12:06 PM
so most likely paint then.   [laugh]

Nate would the hoops and hubs be small enough to airbrush?

Smokescreen

#7
February 23, 2009, 05:14:41 PM
there are different grades of anodization.  The hardest anodization is actually only available in a sort of charcoal finish.  You'll find it on better built AR style rifles.  It's not likely to change much during the service life of the rim.  If anyone can chime in with the three grades of anodization, that'd be great.  If not, I'll look it up!  someday....
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ducpainter

#8
February 23, 2009, 05:32:00 PM
Quote from: TiAvenger on February 23, 2009, 01:12:06 PM
so most likely paint then.   [laugh]

Nate would the hoops and hubs be small enough to airbrush?
I don't think so.

You'd do better with a detail gun.
"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


TiAvenger

#9
February 23, 2009, 05:34:05 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on February 23, 2009, 05:32:00 PM
I don't think so.

You'd do better with a detail gun.

I knew that would be your answer.  Im looking into em (and a compressor)

any way I can really make the beast with two backsem up? I assume I can strip them down and paint them several times without damaging the rim.

ducpainter

#10
February 23, 2009, 05:40:59 PM
Quote from: TiAvenger on February 23, 2009, 05:34:05 PM
I knew that would be your answer.  Im looking into em (and a compressor)

any way I can really make the beast with two backsem up? I assume I can strip them down and paint them several times without damaging the rim.
Not really.

Once I got them prepped it would have to be a serious make the beast with two backsup before I'd strip them. There's a zillion ways to deal with 'challenges'.

If you strip aluminum you'd need to re-etch it.

"Once you accept that a child on the autistic spectrum experiences the world in
 a completely different way than you, you will be open to understand how that
 perspective
    is even more amazing than yours."
    To realize the value of nine  months:
    Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
"Don't piss off old people The older we get, the less 'Life in Prison' is a deterrent."


Gimpy

#11
March 18, 2009, 10:44:33 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on February 23, 2009, 05:40:59 PM
Not really.

Once I got them prepped it would have to be a serious make the beast with two backsup before I'd strip them. There's a zillion ways to deal with 'challenges'.

If you strip aluminum you'd need to re-etch it.

Should I re-etch if I took the paint off with a grinder?

ducrider45

#12
March 18, 2009, 10:47:30 AM
Quote from: Speeddog on February 23, 2009, 12:30:46 PM
I'd either paint them or anodize them.

I'm concerned about the powder coat baking fvcking the heat treatment on the rims.
Not enough heat to cause damage.
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Langanobob

#13
March 18, 2009, 11:00:36 AM
QuoteShould I re-etch if I took the paint off with a grinder?

Yer joking, aren't you?  Sometimes hard to tell without a smileyface. :)

In case you're serious, no you can't take the paint off rims with a grinder and ever  hope to get them looking good again.  Plus, little sharp edged scrapes and scratches in aluminum in the wrong places might start a fatigue crack later on.

Sorry if I didn't catch your humor - sometimes I'm taking things too seriously and can't tell.

Gimpy

#14
March 18, 2009, 11:17:50 AM
Quote from: Langanobob on March 18, 2009, 11:00:36 AM
Yer joking, aren't you?  Sometimes hard to tell without a smileyface. :)

In case you're serious, no you can't take the paint off rims with a grinder and ever  hope to get them looking good again.  Plus, little sharp edged scrapes and scratches in aluminum in the wrong places might start a fatigue crack later on.

Sorry if I didn't catch your humor - sometimes I'm taking things too seriously and can't tell.

I was serious,  :)  but I should specify that I was thinking about a wire wheel on the grinder.  ;)  Probably a lot of hand sanding and a dremel as well.  But for the sake of search. I'll re-ask my question.  Does aluminum in general need to be re-etched if sanding the paint off rather than using a chemical stripper?
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