Anodized Wheels

Anyone ever had thier wheels stripped and anodized? I've never seen it as a custom treatment, wondering how it would look/hold up...

vfrmonkey, Mar 23 2005, 02:43 PMAnyone ever had thier wheels stripped and anodized? I've never seen it as a custom treatment, wondering how it would look/hold up...

It would depend on the aluminum alloy used in the wheel. Some alloys anodize well and some don't (really an oversimplification, it also depends on how the alloy is tempered). I'm not even sure if the spokes and the rim are made of the same alloy. This was no answer - I know - but a hint that it may not be such a good idea.

Hey Monkey, I had a set done, but learned that the Anodizing only sticks well to machined or polished surfaces. The wheels were stripped than anodized, but only the machined surfaces took the color well. What did stick was also a dull finish and what I was told was that if you want a shinny finish you need a polished surface to start with ? <_<
In other words it did not work out, I think I can save them by having them Powder Coated "clear" to add some shine and a protective coat !
Sorry, that's all i got ! :joystick:

That's what I was thinking; having the wheels polished, then anodized gold, then clearcoated (powder). Seems like a ton of work and a ton of money, but I bet the wheels would look badaxe!

BR, throw a picture on if you have one of your experiment...

vfrmonkey, Mar 23 2005, 09:09 AMThat's what I was thinking; having the wheels polished, then anodized gold, then clearcoated (powder). Seems like a ton of work and a ton of money, but I bet the wheels would look badaxe!

BR, throw a picture on if you have one of your experiment...

I'll have to take a few ! :thumbsup:

baileyrock, Mar 23 2005, 03:06 PM The wheels were stripped than anodized, but only the machined surfaces took the color well.

The trick with Honda wheels is that they are already bright silver anodized under the paint. Stripping them does not remove the existing anodizing so when you try to anodize that it does not work. If you wanted to get the wheel anodized a different color you would actually have to have the wheels polished first which would remove the silver anodized coating and smooth the rough cast areas of the wheels.



[image: Attached Image]

SAFE-T, Mar 23 2005, 10:58 AMThe trick with Honda wheels is that they are already bright silver anodized under the paint. Stripping them does not remove the existing anodizing so when you try to anodize that it does not work. If you wanted to get the wheel anodized a different color you would actually have to have the wheels polished first which would remove the silver anodized coating and smooth the rough cast areas of the wheels.

Rick, I think my plan will be to strip one set of wheels and then rub out the machined surfaces, then have them Powder Coated Clear !
Like what you have pictured then clear coated. :thumbsup:

I stripped mine too, anodized/polished sections look great. Had to tape them up and bring to work to blast bead, plastic media, the rough parts to get all the black paint out. Work good, rough parts are "gray" but it all looks good and everyone here said it was the best Mod I've done, uh, other than all my decals :)

I know, I know, I'm a pimping squid and this post is completely worthless w/o pics :pissed:

ScootR, Mar 23 2005, 02:57 PM
I know, I know, I'm a pimping squid and this post is completely worthless w/o pics :pissed:

Hey you're learning Scoot! :beer:

baileyrock, Mar 23 2005, 07:06 PMRick, I think my plan will be to strip one set of wheels and then rub out the machined surfaces, then have them Powder Coated Clear !
Like what you have pictured then clear coated. :thumbsup:

No need to clearcoat since the anodized surface doesn't tarnish like uncoated aluminum that is polished, although it is not quite as bright or smooth as polished aluminum.

If you do polish the outside of the rim, clearcoat will reduce maintenance. Just make sure your powdercoater uses a clearcoat made for outside exposure.

SAFE-T, Mar 24 2005, 05:39 AMNo need to clearcoat since the anodized surface doesn't tarnish like uncoated aluminum that is polished, although it is not quite as bright or smooth as polished aluminum.

If you do polish the outside of the rim, clearcoat will reduce maintenance. Just make sure your powdercoater uses a clearcoat made for outside exposure.

A clearcoat on a polished aluminum surface looks great - until you get the first mark in it. Then water can creep in under the clearcoat, and stain the aluminum. The stain spreads until you do something about it, and clearcoat isn't "touch up-able", least of all powder coat.

I have no experience of my own, but there has been a vivid discussion on the major Swedish sports bike site on this topic. I would say that, at least in our weather conditions, most people with experience in the polished look, and still ride the bike, will not clear coat a non-anodized alu surface (and there is no point in clear coating an anodized - except maybe to "save" a poor anodization).

Safe-T, are these your wheels?

Polished Wheels

That they are...

Your earlier suggestion of polishing, anodizing and then clearcoating wheels gold is a good one but you could get the same result from polishing and then powdercoating bright gold.

There was someone else on eBay that was selling 'colored chrome' wheels - basically powdercoated chrome wheels. Looks very nice, but kind of like adding an unnecessary step since you have to polish the wheel before you chrome it.