Just thinking of powder coating rims and was wondering if anyone had issues with any chipping when mounting new tires on a tire machine.

I do have the option of triggering my talents with the rattle can and paint the rims instead if there may be a problem with powder coated surfaces.

Thank you.

They do make no touch tire mounting machines that are specificallt designed to not damage rims when mounting tires. Find a tire ship with one of those.

Modern tire machines won't. Really old ones will.

Ex: Modern police Charger, black steel wheels, powder coated from the factory...There aren't many rusty ones running around....

These days it all depends on the Neanderthal operating the machine. Modern tire machines are designed so that there doesn’t HAVE to be any contact to the wheel itself, other than the center pin locating the wheel. I just had a flat repair on a painted rim that was perfect, and the monkey chipped it all to hell near the lugs.....he obviously didn’t give a [censored] when securing the wheel with the machines lock nut.

Communication with the shop prior to them touching your stuff is key. What I really find odd it that most all of these places sell brand new wheels....are they going to chip a wheel they selling to a customer? No......

Modern "Euro" tire changers grip the inside of the rim, not the center hole.

I haven't had any problems with the local shop on either painted or powdercoated wheels, but they're careful.
The powdercoated wheels on one of my trucks are rusting, though.
On another set of wheels I had a clear powdercoating done, they wouldn't stan up to even the mildest cleaning.
I'll paint them from now on.

I don't much worry about how the rim itself is secured to the machine (my man has a modern installer machine and is very careful under my watchful eye) but I do worry about the baton gadget/pry bar they use to pry the tire onto the rim while the round house spins the rim. You guys get me?

Just trying to save aggravation and $$ before hand.

This

...I've had both good and bad experiences lately

It will only chip if the powder coating is not fully cured (not enough heat when applied).

Lee I get you and also feel you!!! usually they have a plastic cover on the metal bar that may be used in the install.
Ron

I hear you on the chip rims concern. Wait till you drop off a really nicely polished 150Lb Semi alum wheel for a tire change, and the tech flips it over alum side down on the dirty concrete without batting an eye, on the offset center mount, the scratches seldom polish out. I try to always bring a clean door mat, but then I have to stand there and make sure they use/position it.

Whenever I bring my hotrod tires in I tell them before they start to not throw the tire up on face of the rim so as to lather up the bead with soap. They never understand why I request it but the good guys respect my wishes and get tipped accordingly.

Ron

I have my own tire machine and have never chipped a wheel, powder coated or painted.

They make epoxy and zinc primers for powder coating. They are baked on before the final powder coat is applied. Rim seem to see especially tough abuse so they would be a good place to think about using it instead of going straight over the metal.



I have a no mar bar for my manual tire changer. When removing the tire, the single nylon end rides along the lip of the rim. When installing a tire, the double nylon end rides along the inside of the rim groove (area hidden by the tire after it's on). The way it works is the only opportunity I have to damage a rim is while removing the old tire. The nylon end is soft enough that it doesn't damage anything. I have spare tips because the nylon end is not supposed to last forever. If I can do that at home with some cheap tools, any tire shop can do MUCH MUCH better.

Our machine at work back like 10 years ago we had a piece that went over the arm to keep from scraping rims etc.Mounted many including my Harley rims with no problems.Havent seen a center type machine since the 80s.Rocky

daytona, do you have a link to that bar ? i made my own manual changer about 30 years ago, and i have a fair amount of rim tools that won't damage the rim, but i don't have that one. TIA !

Pardon my ignorance,
The powder coat is not harder than paint?
If so why use it?
Personally, I sand blast and paint my own steel rims and never any troubles.
Even after several changes.
Also no trouble with aluminum rims.
I take all my wheels to the local garage.
He has been in business since the '70's.
Equipment is as old.
I do make sure Fran does the werk and not one of the kids.
He gets a tip, and all is in cash so no invoice.

thanks rumblefish !