I wanted to powdercoat the my stock rubicon aluminum wheels so I took them down to les schwab today as its only $25 per wheel. But the manager down there told me that they can't do aluminum wheels because he said they will basically disentigrate them. I tried to do some research on the web but results were mixed. Has anyone on here had their stock moab rims powdercoated? And if so, is it a different process and does it affect the integrity of the wheels? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Bulls%hit! No problem with powdercoating on aluminium parts even alu rims. I have a personal experience with powdercoating on everything on cars or bikes.

My JK:

 

In a word ...Yes

 

i wonder why if he was misinformed. you would think that he would have some knowledge about powdercoating since they coat tons of big rig wheels here in the NW. He has me worried to the point where I'm thinking of bedlining or painting my rims instead.

 

I was thinking of bedlining but arnt you concerned about making them off balanced? . . Powder coating doesnt bother me b/c the particles are so small and evenly distributed but beadliners is considerably rougher and more uneven. Just a thought.

 

I've spoken with a guy who had a powder coating business and now he supplies powder coating equipment to the industry. We were talking about the advancements in the industry and he told me they have successfully powder coated plastics and wood. So it seems they can coat just about anything.

 

how do you powder coat something that doesn't conduct electricity? Doesn't the process rely on negative and positively charged ions to attract the color?

 

a guy local here does not like doing aluminum wheels because he says its hard to get them prepped for the powdercoat to be applied. he is new to this powder coating business but says hes had nothing but problems.

so i have to have mine shipped out to be done :( o-well might just paint them black and save for rims instead

 

You can do aluminum wheels. You don't want to use a super high heat. And the surface needs to be roughed up, or the powder coating wont stick properly and won't last.

Donatello: The powder coating process does not use electricity. You spray the powder onto the item, and then you bake it. The powder partially liquifies and smoothes out. and when it cools, it becomes hard.

 

That green JK with powdercoated wheels looks sick!@#!

Put up in another post I will be doing something similar with a 'hot rod black' lacquer. Really tough, in a can, and has that true satin black look. Can't wait to join the group of black OEM wheels!