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  July 25, 2011 7:14 a.m. SyntheticBlinkerFluid HalfDork

  I can't seem to get a straight answer on the internet. Can you powdercoat OEM aluminum wheels without losing their strength? A lot of powdercoaters offer wheel powdercoating.

  When I worked for my uncle in the antique car business, I remember getting aluminum stuff powdercoated all the time, so I would say no. IIRC it's done at a different temperature or something along those lines.

  I had a friend ask me so I want to double/triple check before I say yay or nay.

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  July 25, 2011 7:35 a.m. DILYSI Dave SuperDork

  Some say yes, some say no, both have valid reasons for their stand.

  I have no problem with it.

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  July 25, 2011 7:55 a.m. 914Driver SuperDork

  I'm no matallogropher but I do some heat treating and failure analysis. Annealing, aging or tempering aluminum happens at well above 300 degrees, the temp of powder coating.

  Think about this, expensive state of the art aluminium Brodix heads have hot gasses and flame passing through them all the time, how hot is the exhaust? Ever put your tongue on a hot header? Those expensive heads didn't melt and because they perform repeatably, I assume the metallogrphic structure is unchanged.

  I wouldn't be afraid to powdercoat factory wheels.

  Dan

  BMW -- You don't need a hibachi to cook rice.

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  July 25, 2011 8:06 a.m. RossD SuperDork

  Just a guess but I could see brake temps getting high enough to get an aluminum rim to 300-400°F with heavy track use. A cast iron rotor glowing red in visible light could be as high as 1000°F or higher.

  00100001

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  July 25, 2011 8:26 a.m. Drewsifer Dork

  Sorry for the off-topic question, but RossD is that a Springfield Operator in your pic?

  Better to be a racer for a moment than spectator for a life time.

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  July 25, 2011 9:01 a.m. RossD SuperDork

  It's a Taurus 1911 .45 ACP... I can't recall the exact model but it's completely stock and when we compared it to a buddy's 1911, the Taurus felt a step above. It was an excellent price for what it is/comes with.

  00100001

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