Steel Wheels

[Guest]

Do any of you guys have issues with the seam in two piece steel wheels? Most of the ones that I do (even new, unused ones) have small bubbles coming out of the seam after curing.
Leo

[wiseguyz]

Re: Steel Wheels

Yeah, those can be a pain because of the very thin seam line. If you use even a tiny bit too much powder, it will bridge the gap and the air will be forced out from underneath during cure causing the bubbling. The only way to totally eliminate the problem is to use a metal filler like High Temp Lab Metal to fill the seam before coating. I have never done that since it would be very time-consuming, expensive, and most customers don't care. I just explain the possibility of those minor bubbles to the customer up front.

Best of luck.

[Auto-Cycle PC]

Re: Steel Wheels

Same thing here. I clear coated a set of polished Billet Speciality wheels and got some minor bubbles at the seam on two of them. It did seem to be where the powder was a little heavier at the bottom of the wheel as it was hanging.

[Guest]

Re: Steel Wheels

It's not always too much powder in that area. Small individual pieces of media can get trapped in there, then pop out when curing because the metal expands just enuff to let go of the trapped particles.

[panheadstan]

Re: Steel Wheels

yup,being its 2 pieces,if you blast too much you can end up with gaps between the 2 , or spots you can't get to.not enough and you get what you saw.i keep some rims around to show what it will look like when finished.

[Tinman]

Re: Steel Wheels

Thanks for the replies. That's what I figured it was, just wanted some other opinions as A customer with Chevy Rally Wheels questioned my explanation. I guess I would rather have the bubbles than too little powder and rust later. Thanks guys.

Leo

[Guest]

Re: Steel Wheels

while we have your attention, do you have any pic's of your work my friend ?

[panheadstan]

Re: Steel Wheels

please keep in mind these are 12 year old steel wheels that had some bad deterioration in spots, but all the customer wanted was for them to look clean.they will all have the chrome trim rings ,so you won't see some of the rim lips that were in bad shape.

[Guest]

Re: Steel Wheels

Smooth

[Guest]

Re: Steel Wheels

One of the guys I think on the other forum said he hung wheels like that like upside down so the powder wouldn't be the problem. That doesn't sound like a fun shoot? But I can see where it would work good. With my rack the top two might be ok but the two under would be a problem unless I can talk my DOG into shooting them? Moving them from top to bottom is the only way I know that would work fairly well as long as you don't make a slip up and then you got a mess I guess And then shoot the back side and any light dusting I guess?

[pchotrodder]

Re: Steel Wheels

I remember that mentioned also. Hanging upside down would limit the amount of powder depositing in that area of the rim. Seems it would also make it a PITA to get good coverage though.