question about anodized finished rims

[jaysun0ne]

Why is it I don't see to many rim with an anodized finish?
I was thinking about looking into the idea for the rc51 (maybe try to match the rims with the forks) If anyone has information (pros, cons, cost ex...)

I was thinking about polishing them before does anyone know if that could cause a problem with the anodizing process?

[Makenzie71]

It's hard to anodize cast alloys. Even though people call it aluminum, wheel alloys are a little more complicated than that. I get mixed results with anodizing wheels but I'd be willing to dip anything sent my way.

[Stevenjhow]

Hey Makenzie....haven't heard from you in awhile. What is the process of anodizing? Is it like powder coating? Or is it like a paint and clear coat deal?

[Makenzie71]

neither. aluminum parts are acid dipped then boiled in die. The acid oxydizes the surface and creates little "dimples" so to speak. The die rests in the dimples and boiling seals it up. Adds little to no thickness to the metal and it as hard as the metal itself.

[NT696]

Impurities in the cast metal would tend to show up funny if it were anodozed. Maybe like tiny freckles. Polishing would not reveal these slight differences in the metal, but the chemicals might. Machined billet wheels of course would not have the same problem. (Whos got a CNC????)

[jaysun0ne]

It's hard to anodize cast alloys. Even though people call it aluminum, wheel alloys are a little more complicated than that. I get mixed results with anodizing wheels but I'd be willing to dip anything sent my way.

makenzie where are you at? and how much would you charge?

would a polished serface produce better results???

i want to get my 51 rims yellow/gold like the forks
i was going to strip and polish them but the strippers i got dont seam to be working to well.

[joel]

I painted a set of rims with the Metalcast ( IIRC that's the right name) anodized effect spraypaint and then cleared them and the result was quite nice in terms of looking much like Buell rims...but they were too blingy for me and I went back to plain old semi-flat black.Might want to give it a try on something to see if the effect is close enough for you - only about a $8 venture if it fails.They had it in red,blue and yellow-gold colors.

[Makenzie71]

For a set of wheels, if you strip all the soft stuff off them (bearings, seals, air-filler-upper-thingy-that-I-cannot-for-the-life-of-me-remember-the-name-of, etc), would be $235 with return shipping (you're liable for sending the wheels to me only). But, like I said, I make no gauruntees on the results. It's a lengthy, complicated process and cast just doesn't always turn out right.

[bill-ns]

valve stem!

Bill

[Makenzie71]

yeah dammit...a.valve stem...crap

[SVHUNTER]

Eastwood makes a powder coat in anod colors. Thats what i did

[Makenzie71]

I've seen too many powdercoated wheels develope balance issues...I don't like the idea of painting wheels at all.

[MrDude_1]

Eastwood makes a powder coat in anod colors. Thats what i did

yea, ive had things powdercoated with "almost chrome" and then a layer of translucent blue.... giving a anodized look, but with powdercoating durability...

i dont know why i didnt think to mention that sooner.



btw, arnt the buells wheels powdercoated like that, not anodized?