Powder coating wheels, Can they mask clean lines? Options

[Socalandy]

Well I spent several hours polishing two of the four wheels and they will need upkeep to stay Purdy. I want to know if powdercoating can be masked to reveal nice clean lines so I can have the stock black areas done. Something more durable than paint is what Im looking for so when I polish them It wont mess up the black areas.

Anyone??

[Brent]

Those are hot, keep em that way.

[jonferns]

Can't you have them chromed?

[underthetire]

Problem is powder coating will need a rougher surface to really stick to. There would be a raised line where the masking was because the coating would be thicker.

[Socalandy]

full polish is too bling for me and you loose depth IMO. I want the stock look and don't want them chromed, more work for the polished look but no chipping or flaking. this is as close as I can find in pictures

[jmill]

Damn dude. Why would you cover that up. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[number6]

Andy, I'm no powdercoating expert, so all I can tell you is based on my experience w/ a set of 16x7 Fuchs I had done last year. The shop I used was definitely competent, as they did the the U.S.A.'s last Olympic team's bikes. Even so, there was plenty of bleed through the masking. I can't say whether this was a result of poor prep...or whether it's the nature of powdercoating.

From any normal distance, the wheels looked great. But upon closer inspection, the lines were messy by my standard; I suspect you're equally picky, given your NOS goodies stash. All that said, I was still happy with the results, especially from an upkeep standpoint; I highly recommend coating the back side for easy cleaning (I wouldn't think there would be debris chipping issues...though I couldn't say for certain since the wheels got sold with my yellow car). Oh, and "value" can't be beat - I paid $500 for the job, including lip polishing + center caps + lug nuts.

You be the judge. 2 hi-res photos can be seen here:

http://marketquery.com/fuchspowdercoat/

I left the files intentionally huge so you can really zoom in and see the detail.

Cheers,
-duc

[Socalandy]

Thanks, They look great but I do see some wave in the line. I wish they could be dip painted the way the factory did them.

Thats kinda what I was thinking may happen. They have new tape that has a thin wire in it tat is pulled off cutting a clean line but might not work with PC. I plan on asking the coater I use tomorrow and see what they say and if I dont like what they tell me then I'll take then to Al Reed for the paint work.

[number6]

Thanks, They look great but I do see some wave in the line.

Yup. And with your wheels maintaining polished petals, you may really notice, given the add'l masking. Hopefully the shop just got a little sloppy with my set...and that your person can do better. Please post pics/follow-up when you get the chance if you do go PC route - I'm really curious. Good luck!

[markb]

Can you have someone good like Al paint the black, and then clear coat the whole face? That would keep you from having to keep polishing the petals & lips.

[underthetire]

I like the clearcoat idea, but here in the country of Kalifornia, they just did away with any kind of good paint. All water based now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

[Socalandy]

I could clear them but thats another thing to chip, discolor and flake but Al will paint them if the coater cant convince me (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)