can chrome wheels be powdercoated? i got this idea today to paint my window surround, the fins on my fenders, and the rims white. i think it would look pretty sick. can someone good with photoshop give me an idea of what it would look like? im having problems uploading pictures right now but ive got a graphite coupe.

thanks!

 

Fins? do you mean the strakes?? Or did you add fins? Pics please

You can powder coat almost anything... not sure about chrome. But nothing on the stock Crossfire is chrome anyway.

 

i cant upload pictures right now. that could be it. im talkin about the little silver things in the front fenders. my rims are chrome which is why i asked!

 

Paint sticks to chrome as long as it's clean I guess.
You can powder coat the wheels but not the surround and strakes as they are plastic. But I guess you realize that, just in case you do not though.

 

yeah i would just have the wheels powder coated and then the strakes and surround painted with whatever the appropriate paint is.

 

the wheels will have be dismounted from the tires sandblasted and then cleaned then powdercoat can be applied. basically you are removing the chrome to p/c.

 

Sand blasting the chrome which is harder than the alloy wheel material would probably result in damage to the alloy. Roughing up the chrome would be OK.
Chrome can be stripped in the reverse of the chroming process, if this can be done on aluminum alloy I am not sure.

 

i was using sandblast as a general term. walnut shells, glass bead, silica all can be used to remove the finish. the powdercoater should be aware as to what media would need to be used. the powdercoat needs to adhere to the metal not the chrome . if its attached to the chrome and the chrome peels the p/c is also peeled off. if its attached via the method used in p/c it doesn't peel off rather has to be chipped off as it becomes extremely hard after the baking process

 

Whatever is used as the blasting media it has to be harder than chrome anything harder than chrome will attack the alloy much more and that is the trouble.
If the chrome is peeling then there is a problem already, it will not come loose if it is secure now.
Curb rash would be best fixed by welding and not filler which may come detached or softened when the finish is baked. I'm not sure of the heat resistance of fillers though.
You mention silica which of course is sand.

 

you seem intent on disputing anything i print lately so here goes. walnut shells can strip powdercoat off automotive sheetmetal without leaving so much as a dimple on the metal. how do i know this? i have a blast cabinet in my garage with walnut shells glass bead and yes even sand (silica) to properly powdercoat an object it must adhere to the metal. if it adheres to the chrome then the chrome is powdercoated not the metal. if you want to do the job halfway by all means p/c the chrome. if you want it done right strip the chrome then p/c the alloy what ever it is , aluminum titanium kryptonite for that matter. a properly prepared surface is the key. anything else is a hack job and wont last. just my .02

 

I am not disputing everything you say, what should I do if I disagree with you? I thought discussions were to learn and swap ideas not to get nasty with someone who disagrees on a fundamental point.

There is a big difference in stripping powder coat and chrome. Given enough time talcum powder would strip chrome but we have not got an eon. Stripping chrome this way it would be very hard, probably impossible, not to damage the alloy. You would have to get all of the chrome in one even blast as going back over a spot to remove a spot of chrome you would blast an area with no chrome and abrade that area too much and leave a hollow around the remaining island of chrome.
I agree that stripping the chrome is ideal but possibly not practical in this case. A fine sand or glass blast of the chrome would supply an adequate base for the pc.

 

soo can anyone do that photoshop for me please?

 

I would like to put in my 2 cents!

I have done alot of powdercoating on stock and custom motocycles/parts for some time now, as I hate chrome!

I beleive the advice here from both party's 180 And 32krazy to be completely correct and totaly debatable! (and for the record 180 I can't spell for a s@#**&t) I have personally done this both ways and have not had great success with aluminium products after sandblasting chrome off, but agree that it is the best way to achive total adhesion to the part. I have had better results with just a very light sandblast and not trying to remove the chrome but rather dulling it, as we have also had peices of chrome peel off and that becomes a real mess! I have also gotten away with red scotch brite pads, (use this method exclusivly now) as stated I am only trying to dull the chrome to allow a better surface for the powder to stick to or you take the chance of it peeling off that shiny crap.

I have had no powder come off of any parts but I am always real careful and only wash by hand, also remember wheels take alot of abuse and I would caution ever going through a car wash or using a presure washer.

If it was me I do not think I would powdecoat a set of chrome wheels as there is a better chance to reuin them now or later. 32krazy is right you would be taking a big chance and in the end it is a hack job, I think if they were not already chrome you would be fine with powder.

Well good, bad or indifferant that is my experianced 2 (canadian) cents

Angelo -V2addict

 

I'm kinda liking those chrome rims you have. What are they?

 

Don't waste your time, money, or effort on powder coating wheels and orther parts unless heat is a factor and your mind is made up. By the way, this is reversible so there is no damage whatsoever to the chrome.

Check this out:

Plastidip, aka PD. Let the addiction begin (with pics) - Dodge Charger Forums

 

Sport Edition ST3 Chrome Plated

 

I would say buy a good used set of wheels. Have them painted the way you like. Have the tires changed over then sell the chrome ones. Good luck however you go. James

 

interesting....

 

Personally, for the cost you would incur for stripping the Chrome off, you could probably buy polished or pre-coated rims to fit your needs and have those prepped for powder.

Color matching I presume is your key here as you want all these trim bits to match. If that's the case polished or non-polished aluminum rims without any colored coatings would be ideal. Those can be more economically prepped.

Good luck!