Powder coating cast wheels

[Laverda Dave]

A quick question for anyone who has experience of re-powder coating cast wheels......
My NC30’s wheels are looking a bit rough with chips on the rims as a result of tire changes etc. Being white the PO has attempted to colour the chips in with normal white paint that has now gone puke yellow.
I would like to get the wheels blasted and powder coated (in white). The existing bearings are ok but I guess no matter how well I mask the bearings they will get trashed with the blasting. So, should I leave the old bearings in until the wheels are repainted and then replace them potentially damaging the new powder coat or should I remove them before blasting, get the wheels coated and then drift the new bearings in?

[Johnwebley]

I would remove the bearings before coating

Obviously mask the hub,

Purely because removing after could damage the new coating



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[Oddjob]

I had the cast wheels in my cb1300 ceramic coated Dave. It’s more resistant to scratches and chips than powder and the coat is a lot thinner. Cost is about the same iirc. Bearings out btw and all weights removed.

[andut]

Dave, make sure you mask the centre of the rear wheel where the wheel nut mounts.

[Johnwebley]

Dave, make sure you mask the centre of the rear wheel where the wheel nut mounts.

I think you mean the side next to the disc and sprocket



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[Rayzerman]

Do you want to try Cerakote?  I know of one person who did his wheels....... no experience myself.  Perhaps a local applicator would be economical?
My local powder coater will do them for roughly $100 each.

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating

[Oddjob]

Mine were done by Camcoat in Warrington for £150 a pair in CG-Gold. However that price is over 2 years old now and I expect it's gone up. Mine are still pristine after 2 years of hard use. Not so much last year due to the illness 

I can recommend it, had the switchgear halves done in satin black and they look exactly like the Honda colour when new. Also resistant to brake fluid which helps with the right hand switch. Paint is thin enough that the engravings are still very visible so easy to colour in afterwards.

[andut]

Dave, make sure you mask the centre of the rear wheel where the wheel nut mounts.

I think you mean the side next to the disc and sprocket



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No John, I meant the wheel nut side, but that does also apply to the hub mounting face 

[Laverda Dave]

Thanks for all the very helpful comments everyone.
Ken, I do like the sound of ceramic coating although it does sound a bit on the expensive side but like all things you get what you pay for.
I had a bit of a suprise yesterday when I rang the guy who I used for powder coating (Microblast in Windsor).
I asked him how much to blast and powder coat a wheel (with the bearings removed as recommended)......£30-£50 depending on the amount of masking required! It's a bit of a no-brainer really at that price.
He's also now also offering Cerakote so that's another possibility as well. He also knows a guy that does chemical blacking although that has a minimum order value of £100 but it maybe a better alternative to the black zinc coating of the various nuts and bolts that is both expensive and hard to find anyone who actually does it!