Spoke Wheels and Powder Coating ???

[The Toad]

Does anyone have experience with powder coating spoked wheels????

I am getting ready to put new shoes on the Ural and the the past 5 winters have done a good job on the rims and spokes.

I am strongly considering sandblasting the wheels with the spokes and have the whole assembled wheel/spoke assembly (bearings removed ) powder coated.

Anyone done this???

If so, how did it work out???

thanks,
-Brian

[yukonjon]

Had a couple of guys on another forum try it and didn't work so well. The powder coat where the spokes meet the rim and hub chipped off and made it look crappy. Also aren't able to true or adjust wheel if its all powder coated.

What they ended up doing was powder coating the hub and outer rim and replacing all the spokes. They were more than happy with that solution but might mean a little extra money for spokes in your case. Best of luck either way! I had thought about doing the same until I saw theirs.

[bomber60015]

Neither powder coat nor paint will adhere to something that moves much . . . .as nipples rotate (it doesn't take a lot) and work around in the rim, the coating will flake off . . . . .

[Johnny5jz]

I have done it on the first bike I ever built. I worked well until the next tire change when I went through and trued the rim. Just like what has been said, it will chip on the spokes you adjust. I now have done two bikes where I powder coated the rims and hubs, and relaced them with stainless spokes. It costs a little more, but is not that difficult.