Thread: Powder Coat vs. Anno

I dont think Ive ever seen any anodized rims in the community before. Any of them that I have seen that were done differently were painted or powder coated.

Powder coat is better. My opinion

doesnt annodizing actually color the metal itself? if that's true, how can powder coating be better?

Powder coating goes on thicker than anodizing. typical anodize is .002"- .010" over the aluminum...depending on current Powder coat goes on thicker...0.007” - 0.040”

can you chip annodizing off? i never thought you could..

I dunno about chip, but it can be scratched off. Plus, it seems to me, that someone mentioned that anodizing weakens the metal some, though dont quote that as gospel though.

I think it's a personal preference thing. You can find those that swear by both, and those that swear only to one or the other. Things to consider, though (in my limited little brain):

- Anodizing isn't a "surface" covering - it actually penetrates the surface of, and dyes the aluminum, and is inherently a more durable finish than paint or powdercoating.
- Anodizing isn't as resistant to fading as powdercoating; and the darker the color - the higher the susceptibility.
- Powder coating - if done poorly, can actually cause a wheel to become out of balance. I've personally never heard of this, but it "could" happen.
- The best results from anodizing aluminum is when the finish is highly polished beforehand - yet another expense to consider for this process.
- Anodizing works best when the aluminum product is contaminant free - if there is a high content of "tramp" contaminants (like in automotive wheels) - the finish will suffer, colors will be dull, grayish. This is why most factory and after market aluminum wheels are highly polished, and then clear coated or painted, or chrome-plated. There is a reason there isn't a big anodized wheel market.

So - strip them, polish them and clear them. Or paint them, powder coat them or plate them. Anodizing isn't a viable option, IMHO.

Hope this helps.

-Swash