BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read




 

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-15-2011, 02:53 PM   #1
LOVEM
Major
United_States
87
Rep
1,085
Posts

Drives: 2011 1m VO
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Smile Powder Coating 1m Wheels ??? Place.

HI !
ALL , i m having a crave to powder coat the stock wheels on my 1m VO.
any suggestions and places close to Houston or in Houston . GREATLY APPRICIATED..
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:04 PM   #2
silvs
Private First Class
United_States
3
Rep
197
Posts

Drives: 1M VO
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Philly

iTrader: (0)

I think I will do the same. What color are you looking to powder coat on 1M VO? I'm thinking gun metal.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 03:10 PM   #3
LOVEM
Major
United_States
87
Rep
1,085
Posts

Drives: 2011 1m VO
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by silvs View Post
I think I will do the same. What color are you looking to powder coat on 1M VO? I'm thinking gun metal.
MORE LIKELEY LEANING TOWARDS BLACK METTALIC.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 06:49 PM   #4
nachob
Brigadier General
United_States
2307
Rep
4,341
Posts

Drives: 2004 330i ZHP, 2022 Cayman T
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (5)

Gentlemen, when the first 1M was delivered to our Canadian friend, he was told by the ///M people that they went with the ZCP wheels because they were the strongest they had..if I recall. This car makes a lot of torque. I believe powdercoating reheats the wheels and might compromise their integrity. I don't think they will completely break off but might crack hitting a bump or bend. I don't think this would be an issue with less torque, but personally, I would think twice about reheating these wheels. As I have said before a lot of people here think they know more than the engineers at BBS or BMW, but I would recommend you look into it before doing it.

It might be an urban legend, but I do know that heat treatment and cooling rates etc during casting are carefully controlled, so just a word of caution. If you have them shot with automotive paint and even a clear coat, they should last a bit. Worst case, you can always re-shoot them in the future.

I am looking into a place to shoot my wheel a gunmetal color, not black, but darker grey.

That's my two cents worth.

Good luck.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 06:53 PM   #5
LOVEM
Major
United_States
87
Rep
1,085
Posts

Drives: 2011 1m VO
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
Gentlemen, when the first 1M was delivered to our Canadian friend, he was told by the ///M people that they went with the ZCP wheels because they were the strongest they had..if I recall. This car makes a lot of torque. I believe powdercoating reheats the wheels and might compromise their integrity. I don't think they will completely break off but might crack hitting a bump or bend. I don't think this would be an issue with less torque, but personally, I would think twice about reheating these wheels. As I have said before a lot of people here think they know more than the engineers at BBS or BMW, but I would recommend you look into it before doing it.

It might be an urban legend, but I do know that heat treatment and cooling rates etc during casting are carefully controlled, so just a word of caution. If you have them shot with automotive paint and even a clear coat, they should last a bit. Worst case, you can always re-shoot them in the future.

I am looking into a place to shoot my wheel a gunmetal color, not black, but darker grey.

That's my two cents worth.

Good luck.
well documented i may consider to spray paint them from a a reputable body shop.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 07:05 PM   #6
M3 Adjuster
Banned
Albania
7905
Rep
11,785
Posts

Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Dallas, Tx

iTrader: (0)

the urban legend regarding powdercoating causing issues with wheels is NOT true.

the temperature for aluminum melting is far above the temps used in powdercoating.

It's really a shame that powdercoating is given this bad label... Powdercoating is done at temps under 400 degrees.

http://www.crosslinktexas.com/faq.htm

" Q. What is typically Powder Coated?
A. Any metal or conductive parts withstanding 400 F temperature and requiring resistant, aesthetically appealing coating against corrosion and oxidization. Powder coating is extensively used by the appliance, automotive, agricultural equipment, electronics, fabricated steel, fitness and sporting goods equipment, furniture, garden equipment, medical equipment, office equipment and store fixture industries. "


Aluminum alloy melts at something like 2-3x that temp..


See http://www.kenwalt.com/DiecastingAlloys.pdf


" Aluminum and magnesium alloys are considered to be moderate melting point
alloys, being cast in the 1150°F to 1300°F (621°C to 704°C) range. "

With respect to re-heating the metal... the temps used in powdercoating are nowhere near what it takes to melt the metal... However... even if it were close.. consider the example of Wheel repair. Having seen wheels being repaired, a torch is used to heat the metal to the point where it is soft, and a blacksmith (lost art ) works the metal back into shape and then lets it cool.. Just like in the good old days when Sir Launcelot would damage his sword... A blacksmith would heat it up.. repair it... and back into the fray goes the Knight.

Wheel repair companies provide a LIFETIMT gaurantee. If a wheel repairer heats up a wheel to actually where the metal is soft enough that it is malleable enough to be worked back straight... and then can be warranteed for LIFE... powdercoating is far less stress on the metal... In fact.. I would wager.. little to no stress.

As far as a possible company.. perhaps check out Cross Link Powdercoating... they have a Dallas location I have used with success, and appears there is a location in Conroe. http://www.crosslinktexas.com/faq.htm

Last edited by M3 Adjuster; 11-15-2011 at 07:26 PM..
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 10:20 PM   #7
nachob
Brigadier General
United_States
2307
Rep
4,341
Posts

Drives: 2004 330i ZHP, 2022 Cayman T
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (5)

As I said before, it might be urban legend but our Canadian friend was told by the ///M folk that they chose those wheels for strength. They also told him that "if he replaced them, to do so with something as strong" as the original [359 wheels.] That makes it seem like wheel strength should be taken into careful consideration. They didn't warn him about weight or size of wheel, just strength.

So not being an engineer, I defer to the experts on this. I will not take a position saying it's safe or not on this topic, I just thought that people should think it through first.

What I will do is fire off an email to BBS in and post the result here. I will also try HRE since they are here in San Diego to see what their experience is with powdercoating?
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2011, 10:45 PM   #8
nachob
Brigadier General
United_States
2307
Rep
4,341
Posts

Drives: 2004 330i ZHP, 2022 Cayman T
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (5)

Just sent an email to BBS asking. I also found this thread from an E46 guy quoting BBS on forged wheels. It's not a "first-hand" source but have no reason to NOT take him at his word that he spoke with BBS.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=767096

Pershaps the powdercoating concern is with forged wheels and not cast ones like ours??? Anyway, I will post the result when I get it.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 12:02 AM   #9
funcar62
New Member
Philippines
2
Rep
17
Posts

Drives: 1m, e46 325i, 993 targa,c200K
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: manila, philippines

iTrader: (0)

powdercoated

my vo 1m powdercoated gunmetal in manila. so far holding up quite well cost me about 300 bucks.
Attached Images
   
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 12:34 AM   #10
wkndwrrr
Private First Class
wkndwrrr's Avatar
10
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
Gentlemen, when the first 1M was delivered to our Canadian friend, he was told by the ///M people that they went with the ZCP wheels because they were the strongest they had..if I recall. This car makes a lot of torque. I believe powdercoating reheats the wheels and might compromise their integrity. I don't think they will completely break off but might crack hitting a bump or bend. I don't think this would be an issue with less torque, but personally, I would think twice about reheating these wheels. As I have said before a lot of people here think they know more than the engineers at BBS or BMW, but I would recommend you look into it before doing it.

It might be an urban legend, but I do know that heat treatment and cooling rates etc during casting are carefully controlled, so just a word of caution. If you have them shot with automotive paint and even a clear coat, they should last a bit. Worst case, you can always re-shoot them in the future.

I am looking into a place to shoot my wheel a gunmetal color, not black, but darker grey.

That's my two cents worth.

Good luck.
I thought that the 19's on the M3 are Forged? I know that our ZCP are just Cast.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 12:44 AM   #11
nachob
Brigadier General
United_States
2307
Rep
4,341
Posts

Drives: 2004 330i ZHP, 2022 Cayman T
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (5)

Quote:
Originally Posted by wkndwrrr View Post
I thought that the 19's on the M3 are Forged? I know that our ZCP are just Cast.
I thought the M3 and 1M 359s were the same...and I don't believe they are forged just cast but if someone knows for certain differently, please let us know.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 12:53 AM   #12
wkndwrrr
Private First Class
wkndwrrr's Avatar
10
Rep
183
Posts

Drives: 1M
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by nachob View Post
I thought the M3 and 1M 359s were the same...and I don't believe they are forged just cast but if someone knows for certain differently, please let us know.
My bad, I meant the M3 style 220 19's are forged
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 06:04 AM   #13
1mGator
1mGator
1mGator's Avatar
United_States
144
Rep
567
Posts

Drives: Valencia 1M
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Aventura, Florida

iTrader: (0)

Here is an example of a place in PA that offers "factory" type colors ..... gunmetal looks sick on the VO, like it!

http://www.wheelcollision.com/index.html
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 12:42 PM   #14
nachob
Brigadier General
United_States
2307
Rep
4,341
Posts

Drives: 2004 330i ZHP, 2022 Cayman T
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California

iTrader: (5)

I love the Gunmetal color on the 359s. I will be doing something similar. OK, so here it goes. I contacted HRE and BBS. HRE says they powdercoat their wheels and here is the exact message I got back from BBS:
************************************************** ****
We do not suggest ANY welding or heat used to cure the paint (limited to 90°C (194°F) for no more than 40 minutes).

Other than the base coat on the wheel that is powder coated, the rest of the paint process used on the wheel is a “wet” process.

When is comes to painting, the wheel should be treated like the hood of the car.

Regards,



Michael Cox

Aftermarket Sales

BBS of America, Inc.

5320 BBS Drive

Braselton , GA 30517

Email: michael.cox@bbs-usa.com

Web: www.bbs-usa.com

************************************************** **

Here are my thoughts on this issue:
1. HRE cuts their wheels from one big block of aluminum. Our wheels are cast so it is a different process.

2. BBS makes these wheels so I will follow THEIR recommendation. I just don't think it's worth the risk when you can just wet paint them?

3. It does sound like they do a Powdercoat base coat but less than 194 degrees for no more than 40 minutes, so that might be the magic number for powdercoating.

Hope that helps.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 04:00 PM   #15
LOVEM
Major
United_States
87
Rep
1,085
Posts

Drives: 2011 1m VO
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

^^^^ thanks a lot for all the effort.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 06:38 PM   #16
LeMansM5
First Lieutenant
LeMansM5's Avatar
26
Rep
366
Posts

Drives:
Join Date: Apr 2005

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by funcar62 View Post
my vo 1m powdercoated gunmetal in manila. so far holding up quite well cost me about 300 bucks.
That looks beautiful. Goes nicely with VO.
Appreciate 0
      11-16-2011, 06:57 PM   #17
Franklin Joseph
Captain
57
Rep
820
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Texas

iTrader: (1)

i got a quote from a couple local places to paint the wheels.

Metropolitan Collison - $150/wheel
IMC Automotive - $150/wheel

another good place to check is Sabs.

If you are set on gloss black, you might be better off buying the OEM black wheels from tischer and selling your stockers.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:18 AM.




1addicts
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST