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02-21-2007, 04:15 AM
Most aluminum wheels are hardened to T6, which involves a period of time at ~350ºF. Overheating aluminum turns it to soft cheese. Powder coating aluminum wheels--when done by a manufacturer-- is usually part of the hardening process. Aftermarket powder coating of wheels is sensitive business. Shops that know what they're doing use as low a temp as possible to melt the powder without affecting the wheels.
I personally have broken wheels, all from the same batch, that were poorly heat treated and were brittle and weak. There are pictures somewhere on the web of an M3 with high temp powder coated wheels where the spokes deformed on the track.
It can be done with relative safety, but use a good shop and blast of the old finish, don't bake it off.
I personally have broken wheels, all from the same batch, that were poorly heat treated and were brittle and weak. There are pictures somewhere on the web of an M3 with high temp powder coated wheels where the spokes deformed on the track.
It can be done with relative safety, but use a good shop and blast of the old finish, don't bake it off.