Oz Wheels and Anodizing

I spoke with an anodizer last year about anodizing them but he reckoned that they were an alloy mix and that they could be anodized - he said powdercoat but if they can be anodized - see this thread: Black Anodised Wheels) then I'd rather go that route

cheers danglee :thumbup

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dangleebals said:

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Perhaps they're shy? :devious

Anodising can do very nasty things if you're not careful.

As an example NEVER put a Helicoil in an aluminium component going for anodising !!

It doesn't like it, AT ALL ! Don't ask how I know :jack

Generally speaking the softer more common alloys like 6082 take anodising better, some of the aircraft spec stuff we had done in the past tended to be a bit patchy and inconsistant, didn't look to good in a mega bucks F18 Super Hornet.

If in any doubt I'd go for powder coating,just get the bearings out and mask areas where you don't want coating.

The guys in the US are anodizing with no probs (a few guys on the apriliaforums). Any recommendations as to companies that could do it in the UK or France (south west near Bordeaux)?

Have heard some nasty stories about powdercoating alloys - apparently blasting media and heat cycles can bugger it up :dunno

ta :thumbup

and the rest of ya ...................... stop being shy :biggrin

Never had to get anything that big anodised,all our stuff was smaller compts.

Personally I'd go the powder coating route,anodising is generally only a couple of microns thick and it won't take a concerted effort from an gorilla of a tyre fitter to scratch through it. Once it's through the underlying surface will start oxidising and looking tatty.

Best way to get in touch with a specialist process like this is Google, I dealt with several companies but they were all uk based. Their performance was somewhat patchy to say the least,we were constantly sending parts back for rectification.

It got to the point of sending certain repeat jobs to specific companies so that the same techy did the job each time.

We also had a few bike wheels pass thru the shop from time to time for mods or repairs and they always went for powder coating afterwards. The temperatures involved in the oven are not great enough to damage alloy wheels,but the bearings and seals would suffer so thats why they are removed first.

I would think a local (ish) solution in France would be best cos then you don't have the hassle of packing the wheels up and sending by carrier.

Another thought occurs, you could try PM ing Mark ( ukcustombike) he's still getting stuff anodised at work,perhaps their outsource could help.

It's just that now I've been made redundant I don't have access to the database of suppliers I used to use,it would take a brainstorming session working through google to remember where I used send stuff.

If your gonna do it get it Hard Anodised or as said it will scratch real easy.

Hard anodising shouldn't be much difference in cost as it just involves a slower process of the anodising. Most are charged on weight not time taken.

cheers lads appreciate the advice

danglee :thumbup