Post by MVNCBLE on Jul 16, 2014 18:50:23 GMT -6
Gentle Reader-
Those of you that have met me know that, thanks to my son, I’m a big fan of black wheels to really set my vehicle apart from the crowd. My first effort was powder coating a set of BMW M6 wheels for my 2006 Black Sapphire Metallic BMW M5. It turned out so well, that we recently did my son’s 2013 Mineral White/Sand Beige BMW X-1. It made the stock 17” wheels look better and gave the vehicle a lower, more aggressive appearance. It was also great alternative that was heartily endorsed by the “Bank of Dad” over buying new wheels and tires on his limited “poor college student” budget.The time came to swap out the M5 for something new and today’s candidate is a 2013 Alpine White/Black BMW 535i Active Hybrid. Don’t laugh till you drive one... It’s a blast to drive in Sport Plus Mode with the 55hp electric motor immediately responding to provide an instant boost before the twin turbos kick in. However, with the flick of a switch to Eco Pro Mode, it’s also a luxurious fuel miser when the time is right (i.e., when your significant other or spouse is in the car). I’ve been getting 28 mpg around town when I’m not in a hurry or the local constabulary are looking to increase their coffers. However, with the addition of Black Grills and Black powder coated wheels, its looks now reflect its true sporting character.So with many thanks to Chris Addington and the gang over at Wheel Repair Solutions (WRS) in Carrollton, I thought I would walk you through the processes they followed to powder coat my wheels.Generally, if you drop your car off by 5:00 pm, it will be ready for pick up by 9:00 am the next morning. During the course of a typical overnight shift, Chris relates that they repair, refurbish and powder coat upwards of 200 wheels, so we’re talking about an impressive 50,000 sq. ft. full service operation. In addition to stock colors, WRS has the capabilities to do custom one-off color schemes to really set you apart from the crowd. WRS also provides mobile refurbishment services to select dealers as part of the new car delivery or resale process.Back at the plant, they started by setting my car up on jack stands to remove the wheels and mark the tires so that they go back in the correct configuration. They were careful to keep the Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensors together with the tires for subsequent reinstallation. Next the wheels were washed to remove any accumulated road grime and checked to make sure that they were straight. You may not realize it, but even slightly bumping the curb can bend a low profile wheel - especially on the inside of the rim. Despite my car being fairly new and having low mileage, two of the wheels needed slight adjustments. This process also helps minimize the number of weights that need to be installed on the wheels when they are balanced. WRS also has welding capabilities should more extensive repairs be required, but Chris noted that not all wheels can be repaired depending on the extent of the damage.The wheels were then sandblasted to get a clean, slightly rough surface for the coating process followed by a light sanding to reach any hard to get at places. The wheels were next run thru a 420° oven on a conveyer belt for approximately 15 minutes to warm them up and then carried over for coating. The wheels are coated on a negatively charged grate and the spray nozzle is positively charged. The result is the powder coating seamlessly bonding onto all of the wheel surfaces. Back to the oven to bake the coating onto the wheels followed by a final coating of sealant is applied. One more trip thru the oven and after the wheels cool off for about 20 minutes, they were ready to be reinstalled. End to end, the entire process takes a couple of hours. When you return the next morning, your car looks better than new and now best reflects your own personal style. Prices start at $120 per wheel or $480 per set.Wheel Repair Solutions is located at 1441 Patton Place #195 in Carrollton, Texas 75007. Their phone number is 972-242-6700. You can also check them out on-line at www.wheelrepairsolutions.com.Again, my thanks go out to Chris Addington for providing access to the WRS facilities and his valuable assistance in writing this article. Happy Motoring! MVNCBLE
Those of you that have met me know that, thanks to my son, I’m a big fan of black wheels to really set my vehicle apart from the crowd. My first effort was powder coating a set of BMW M6 wheels for my 2006 Black Sapphire Metallic BMW M5. It turned out so well, that we recently did my son’s 2013 Mineral White/Sand Beige BMW X-1. It made the stock 17” wheels look better and gave the vehicle a lower, more aggressive appearance. It was also great alternative that was heartily endorsed by the “Bank of Dad” over buying new wheels and tires on his limited “poor college student” budget.The time came to swap out the M5 for something new and today’s candidate is a 2013 Alpine White/Black BMW 535i Active Hybrid. Don’t laugh till you drive one... It’s a blast to drive in Sport Plus Mode with the 55hp electric motor immediately responding to provide an instant boost before the twin turbos kick in. However, with the flick of a switch to Eco Pro Mode, it’s also a luxurious fuel miser when the time is right (i.e., when your significant other or spouse is in the car). I’ve been getting 28 mpg around town when I’m not in a hurry or the local constabulary are looking to increase their coffers. However, with the addition of Black Grills and Black powder coated wheels, its looks now reflect its true sporting character.So with many thanks to Chris Addington and the gang over at Wheel Repair Solutions (WRS) in Carrollton, I thought I would walk you through the processes they followed to powder coat my wheels.Generally, if you drop your car off by 5:00 pm, it will be ready for pick up by 9:00 am the next morning. During the course of a typical overnight shift, Chris relates that they repair, refurbish and powder coat upwards of 200 wheels, so we’re talking about an impressive 50,000 sq. ft. full service operation. In addition to stock colors, WRS has the capabilities to do custom one-off color schemes to really set you apart from the crowd. WRS also provides mobile refurbishment services to select dealers as part of the new car delivery or resale process.Back at the plant, they started by setting my car up on jack stands to remove the wheels and mark the tires so that they go back in the correct configuration. They were careful to keep the Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensors together with the tires for subsequent reinstallation. Next the wheels were washed to remove any accumulated road grime and checked to make sure that they were straight. You may not realize it, but even slightly bumping the curb can bend a low profile wheel - especially on the inside of the rim. Despite my car being fairly new and having low mileage, two of the wheels needed slight adjustments. This process also helps minimize the number of weights that need to be installed on the wheels when they are balanced. WRS also has welding capabilities should more extensive repairs be required, but Chris noted that not all wheels can be repaired depending on the extent of the damage.The wheels were then sandblasted to get a clean, slightly rough surface for the coating process followed by a light sanding to reach any hard to get at places. The wheels were next run thru a 420° oven on a conveyer belt for approximately 15 minutes to warm them up and then carried over for coating. The wheels are coated on a negatively charged grate and the spray nozzle is positively charged. The result is the powder coating seamlessly bonding onto all of the wheel surfaces. Back to the oven to bake the coating onto the wheels followed by a final coating of sealant is applied. One more trip thru the oven and after the wheels cool off for about 20 minutes, they were ready to be reinstalled. End to end, the entire process takes a couple of hours. When you return the next morning, your car looks better than new and now best reflects your own personal style. Prices start at $120 per wheel or $480 per set.Wheel Repair Solutions is located at 1441 Patton Place #195 in Carrollton, Texas 75007. Their phone number is 972-242-6700. You can also check them out on-line at www.wheelrepairsolutions.com.Again, my thanks go out to Chris Addington for providing access to the WRS facilities and his valuable assistance in writing this article. Happy Motoring! MVNCBLE