I'm thinking about powder coating my stock 16" 5 spoke R83's Black. Just way cheaper than buying new rims, since I just can't afford new ones right now...

Or maybe someone has seen some pics of someone that has? :smile:

R84's painted black...might help you get an idea.

http://www.eurostyleseast.com/pages/projectmini.asp

When did you guys get the GIAC for the 19%?

We're currently running the GIAC 15% software with a 19% pulley...we just like to do things different things here

I loaded the software as a test for the new 05 and I just haven't taken it off yet...I haven't been running terribly lean with the 19% and GIAC, so I'll probably just keep it easy and swap out the software when the 19% is completed.

Sweet... I like the way it looks.

Basically my only concern was if it was going to look black enough, or if it was going to look more grey. I want it to look very black.

The other question I had was this: will powder coating the rims black have the potential to weaken the rims?

Yes if its baked on, it may affect the structual ridgidity A 2nd heat treatment may null your 1st intial factory heat treatment- I'd try to find a UV powdercoater.

Alex

Ok, thanks for the input. What is the difference between UV and regular powder coating?

Powder coatings are not applied like liquid paint. Specialized equipment is required to apply the powder. The wheel must then be baked in an oven until the powder melts into a liquid which flows and then cures to a contiguous solid film. Typical bake times are 10 - 30 minutes at 350F - 400F. (BTW, I believe that the stock wheels are powder coated from the factory.)

It is imperitive that the wheels are extremely clean when a new coat of powder is applied. ANY grease or oil will cause an adhesion failure. It may be necessary to scuff the existing finish so that the new material will stick. The old finish can degrade during the bake process if the new powder has a higher bake temperature than the existing coating can withstand. Applying powder over powder is not always successful.

Also, make sure of the type of powder that is applied. While epoxies are very hard with good impact resistance, they tend to fade and chalk because of poor UV resistence. I believe that urethanes are better suited for outdoor applications.

UV Curable coatings require exposure to a strong UV light to cure. Most UV's are clear as pigmented coatings are harder to cure. It is unlikely that a body shop will have the equipment necessary to cure this type of coating.

If you cannot afford new rims you might not be able to get your wheels powder coated. It normally runs between $300-$400 for a set plus the cost of dismount, mount and balance....At least here in the Bay Area. Stuart

Do you have bigger pics of that? I have those rims and wouldn't mind having them in black.

Thanks.

Yeah, that would be cool... The pics are kinda small...

I no longer have the original pics that are on the the website. I'll have to snap a few new pics and upload them.

Thanks Brian, we appreciate all your trouble... :smile:

56K Beware!!!

http://www.eurostyleseast.com/images...ini-large1.jpg

mmm. I want that so bad.




Is that stock suspension?


How do I remove the hubcaps on those wheels? screwdriver?

Thanks Brian!

Lookin' good.

That's an '05 with M7 springs.

There's a tool that's in your mini supplied toolkit to remove the hubcaps. It looks like an alan key with a hook.

btw... how much did the painting run you? Or normally how much would it be?

it's actually a bit of a hack job:smile: Had a friend do it locally...I think it was his first time he powdercoated a wheel...not sure how much it cost would cost normally. I just wanted something different for my winter wheels.

The 20th Anniversary GTi we had here was sent out to A1wheels in CA for powdercoating...it was also free, but would have normally been about $300.

Ok, so it's powdercoating, not painting right?

yep!

can't find it in my black softcase toolkit :(