White to Black........

ColinS2R · 08-02-2020, 09:09 AM

Hi all, I’ve recently bought an S2R with white wheels, having seen the same model with black wheels I think it looks better.
My question is, how much work is involved in respraying the wheels?
I’m assuming it’s not just a case of whipping them off and respraying....
Any advice/thoughts gratefully recieved!

350TSS · 08-02-2020, 06:15 PM

If the wheel is corroded and or the existing coatings are chipped where tyre levers have been used then all that will have to be flatted down
Powder coaters will generally blast the wheel with some abrasive media to key the powder coating finish. It will require prior removal of the disc rotors plus removal of and replacement of the bearings (generally best done afterwards to prevent damage to the bearing housing by the blast media or incursion of powder coating). The bearings will be full of the blast media and the seals will be heat affected (and removal of the tyres obviously).
With spraying, you can get away with masking the bearings and using business cards forced between the tyre and the bead you can even leave the tyre on.
Powder coating involves quite a lot of heat for a sustained period, personally I would spray them because the paint finish is repairable and I do not know whether the heat will affect the strength of a cast wheel

Flip · 09-02-2020, 10:45 AM

I know a lot of people love powder coating for wheels but personally (going by the ones my mates have had done over the years) I think they chip very easily compared with properly painted wheels.

Whether it has something to do with the powder coating not adhering to the alloy properly or whether it is to do with the preparation I cannot say but as already said, the bearing will definitely need replacing afterwards which, depending upon how well you/the shop masked them first could result in the fresh coat getting chipped as you knock the old bearings out.

Taking the bearings out prior to coating presents the problem of then having to mask the bearing surface from any media blasting and the subsequent powder coat.

The only wheels I have had done I have either had media cleaned and then painted myself on the cheap with reasonable results or in the case of my old GSX-R750WT which was the first generation with a kind of dark grey anodised finish to the wheels I sent them to a specialist company who chemical etched primed them before painting and they looked amazing and didn't chip or mark in eight years and 20.000 miles.

Jez900ie · 09-02-2020, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColinS2R

Hi all, I’ve recently bought an S2R with white wheels, having seen the same model with black wheels I think it looks better.
My question is, how much work is involved in respraying the wheels?
I’m assuming it’s not just a case of whipping them off and respraying....
Any advice/thoughts gratefully recieved!

Painting is the usual prep, spray & job done. Easily repaired if scratched afterwards too.

Powder coating is another thing altogether with bead blasting, seals bearings etc all to be removed and replaced.

I paid £100 to have both wheels removed, sprayed & refitted. Powder coating quotes were also £100 but I had to dismantle and rebuild, plus bearings seals etc etc. Plus shipping.

ColinS2R · 13-02-2020, 07:24 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, food for thought!

damien666 · 13-02-2020, 07:40 PM

If you have them sprayed, ask if they have a ceramic clearcoat. It’s more durable and used on high end cars and also headlight re- furbs.

Darren69 · 13-02-2020, 08:17 PM

Its a difficult decision sometimes with stuff like this. I can say that my 748 came with non standard gloss black wheels which i assumed were powder coated because after over 15 years and over 20k miles still look perfect.

On the other hand my S4 came with white pearl paint which still looks good after 6k miles but i do wonder if the prep was all good because the paint on the rear is fkaking in between the cush drive bits. You have to look close to see it, but its bad enough to make me think that the area wasnt degreased properly and its black underneath which it shouldn't be unless painted over a previous coating. My own conclusions are that powder coating is more robust and compares more favourably than paint. And they can powder coat some pretty amazinf colours nowadays.

14-02-2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren69

And they can powder coat some pretty amazinf colours nowadays.

Including a finish which looks just like polished aluminium, if you fancy the natural look but not the corrosion. Maldon Shotblasting and Powder-coating did the footrest/exhaust hangers for my Raptor 1000. Super job and very reasonable price too!

Nick

08-02-2020, 09:09 AM	#1
ColinS2R Registered User Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Ellesmere Port Bike: S2r Posts: 73	White to Black........ Hi all, I’ve recently bought an S2R with white wheels, having seen the same model with black wheels I think it looks better. My question is, how much work is involved in respraying the wheels? I’m assuming it’s not just a case of whipping them off and respraying.... Any advice/thoughts gratefully recieved!

09-02-2020, 10:45 AM	#3
Flip Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Beachtown Bike: M900 Posts: 2,188	I know a lot of people love powder coating for wheels but personally (going by the ones my mates have had done over the years) I think they chip very easily compared with properly painted wheels. Whether it has something to do with the powder coating not adhering to the alloy properly or whether it is to do with the preparation I cannot say but as already said, the bearing will definitely need replacing afterwards which, depending upon how well you/the shop masked them first could result in the fresh coat getting chipped as you knock the old bearings out. Taking the bearings out prior to coating presents the problem of then having to mask the bearing surface from any media blasting and the subsequent powder coat. The only wheels I have had done I have either had media cleaned and then painted myself on the cheap with reasonable results or in the case of my old GSX-R750WT which was the first generation with a kind of dark grey anodised finish to the wheels I sent them to a specialist company who chemical etched primed them before painting and they looked amazing and didn't chip or mark in eight years and 20.000 miles. __________________ You're perfect, yes, it's true- But without me you're only you!

13-02-2020, 08:17 PM	#7
Darren69 Transmaniacon MOC Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sutton In Ashfield Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 6,022	Its a difficult decision sometimes with stuff like this. I can say that my 748 came with non standard gloss black wheels which i assumed were powder coated because after over 15 years and over 20k miles still look perfect. On the other hand my S4 came with white pearl paint which still looks good after 6k miles but i do wonder if the prep was all good because the paint on the rear is fkaking in between the cush drive bits. You have to look close to see it, but its bad enough to make me think that the area wasnt degreased properly and its black underneath which it shouldn't be unless painted over a previous coating. My own conclusions are that powder coating is more robust and compares more favourably than paint. And they can powder coat some pretty amazinf colours nowadays. __________________ Roast Beef Monster! Termignoni and Bucci - Italian for pipe and slippers! S4 Fogarty, S4R 07T, 748, Series 1 Mirage

08-02-2020, 06:15 PM	#2
350TSS Too much time on my hands member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Shipbourne Bike: M900 Posts: 1,419	If the wheel is corroded and or the existing coatings are chipped where tyre levers have been used then all that will have to be flatted down Powder coaters will generally blast the wheel with some abrasive media to key the powder coating finish. It will require prior removal of the disc rotors plus removal of and replacement of the bearings (generally best done afterwards to prevent damage to the bearing housing by the blast media or incursion of powder coating). The bearings will be full of the blast media and the seals will be heat affected (and removal of the tyres obviously). With spraying, you can get away with masking the bearings and using business cards forced between the tyre and the bead you can even leave the tyre on. Powder coating involves quite a lot of heat for a sustained period, personally I would spray them because the paint finish is repairable and I do not know whether the heat will affect the strength of a cast wheel

13-02-2020, 07:24 PM	#5
ColinS2R Registered User Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Ellesmere Port Bike: S2r Posts: 73	Thanks for the replies guys, food for thought!

13-02-2020, 07:40 PM	#6
damien666 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Leeds, West-Yorks Bike: S4Rs Posts: 497	If you have them sprayed, ask if they have a ceramic clearcoat. It’s more durable and used on high end cars and also headlight re- furbs.