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Cracking/crazing of powdercoated aluminum wheels

2007

Tradespeople:

Seeking to set my personal vehicle apart from the crowd, I endeavored to have my Dodge Durango, factory aluminum, R/T wheels, powder coated to match the body color of the truck.

I had heard/read that the resulting finish was tough, durable, and very attractive.

I took the wheels to a local powdercoater here in Southern California and had the job done at a reasonable price and they came out beautifully, exceeding my expectations. The factory clear-coated and painted finish was sandblasted off, and the powder coat applied and baked on conventionally.

However, about a month later, while on summer vacation, I noticed that the coating had started to craze or crack on the front wheels only. This condition later appeared on the rear wheels as well and to differing degrees.

I inquired about this with the powdercoater and they told me that sometimes, the coating DOES, indeed, crack when exposed to high temperature. They made it seem that it was the nature of the material...to crack under high temperatures. I was understandably upset that this had not been revealed to me BEFORE I had the job done.

I surmised that the high heat of braking, in the summer months, contributed to this condition.

The coating has been like this for several years now and has not flaked off as yet, but I'd like to have the wheels recoated again and wonder if I'm wasting my time and money with powdercoating again.

Can anyone give me some authoritative information/feedback on this problem and whether it is the general nature of powdercoating, or a problem born of the improper application of the powdercoat? Can it be resolved? Why have I not read of this condition in articles touting the advantages of powder coating wheels?

Thank you!

Gary Johnson
Hobbyist, auto enthusiast - Burbank, California, USA

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If the paint isn't peeling, the rims were processed right. Make the powder coater give you a warranty on the paint job, this will force him to use a paint that is better suited for the application; it might also increase your cost but it's worth it?! Right? The expansion rate of the aluminum and powder are different, that is what's causing the cracks.

Sheldon Taylor
supply chain electronics
Wake Forest, North Carolina
2007