I have Blitz SO-3 rims and i want to have the centers of them powder coated black, question is can you just have the tires removed then just unscrew all the bolts and pull the center out o the rim without breaking the seal? if you can is there any special procedure? if not who could do this kind of work? any help would be awesome!
Painting 3 peice wheels
- Thread starter The Man
- Start date
Powder coating
I have 3 piece WORK wheels. While checking on getting them refinished I found one article that recommended against powder coating. I have discovered many things about 3 piece wheels in looking to get mine done.
They said that the powder coating could conceal hairline cracks because it is so tough.
Recommendation was that the wheels be checked yearly for hairline cracks. Regular paint will allow the cracks to show.
I am not sure if yours are like mine but my center consist of Spokes with a complete circle of metal that clamps between the rim halves. On mine the seal has to be broken to remove the center.
Some articles said that all new bolts and nuts be used when reassembling the wheel. You will possibly find that the bolts are formed in what they call a rolled process. (It forms a radius where the bolt head and the bolt meet) also the threads are rolled into the bolt. This is to make them stronger. Since mine are metric I have not been able to get replacements anywhere. Liability issues they said.
Since my bolts are non-magnetic stainless steel and tempered to a spec of 10.9 they advise against using nuts of the same metal since Stainless steel gualls (sp?) easily and will be impossible to remove without damaging the bolt threads. They had regular steel nuts on my wheels that have rusted.
I looked at getting Titanium nuts but the cost was from $6.00 to $12.00 each. Each of my wheels has 36 bolts holding it together. 36 x 4 = 144. I'm not that rich!! Another problem for me was that the inside part of the rim is alumnium. The steel nuts were what they call flange nuts. Kinda of a nut with a built in washer to distribute stress over a larger area. I guess they wanted to be sure the nuts did not pull through the alumnium.
My education is continuing to grow concerning 3 piece wheels.
Let me know how your project goes. I am still working on getting everything done on my wheels. If you have questions just let me know.
Take care and go slow. You do not want your wheels coming apart in a corner.
Still learning.
Gale
I have 3 piece WORK wheels. While checking on getting them refinished I found one article that recommended against powder coating. I have discovered many things about 3 piece wheels in looking to get mine done.
They said that the powder coating could conceal hairline cracks because it is so tough.
Recommendation was that the wheels be checked yearly for hairline cracks. Regular paint will allow the cracks to show.
I am not sure if yours are like mine but my center consist of Spokes with a complete circle of metal that clamps between the rim halves. On mine the seal has to be broken to remove the center.
Some articles said that all new bolts and nuts be used when reassembling the wheel. You will possibly find that the bolts are formed in what they call a rolled process. (It forms a radius where the bolt head and the bolt meet) also the threads are rolled into the bolt. This is to make them stronger. Since mine are metric I have not been able to get replacements anywhere. Liability issues they said.
Since my bolts are non-magnetic stainless steel and tempered to a spec of 10.9 they advise against using nuts of the same metal since Stainless steel gualls (sp?) easily and will be impossible to remove without damaging the bolt threads. They had regular steel nuts on my wheels that have rusted.
I looked at getting Titanium nuts but the cost was from $6.00 to $12.00 each. Each of my wheels has 36 bolts holding it together. 36 x 4 = 144. I'm not that rich!! Another problem for me was that the inside part of the rim is alumnium. The steel nuts were what they call flange nuts. Kinda of a nut with a built in washer to distribute stress over a larger area. I guess they wanted to be sure the nuts did not pull through the alumnium.
My education is continuing to grow concerning 3 piece wheels.
Let me know how your project goes. I am still working on getting everything done on my wheels. If you have questions just let me know.
Take care and go slow. You do not want your wheels coming apart in a corner.
Still learning.
Gale
Gale - did you find anywhere to rebuild your Works? I had my Equips done at HRS in San Francisco when a tire shop marked the lips. They did a fabulous job, look brand new! They might also supply you parts although I would recommend against DIY in something so critical - experience definitely counts in that field in my book. Actually I had to get one of the centers re-painted - it is a combo of powder coat & paint top-coat I was told.
Contact Tim or Harry at HRS at 415-861-2181
Contact Tim or Harry at HRS at 415-861-2181
Refinishing Wheels
I have a place in Atlanta that does refinishing I want to do mine. What I liked about them is that they Magnaflux all wheels before repairing/refinishing. I felt that was a step that many companys left out. Since I do not know the history of the wheels I want that done at least once.
Thanks for the help
Gale
I have a place in Atlanta that does refinishing I want to do mine. What I liked about them is that they Magnaflux all wheels before repairing/refinishing. I felt that was a step that many companys left out. Since I do not know the history of the wheels I want that done at least once.
Thanks for the help
Gale
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