powder coating wheel bolts?

[TGMcCoy]

I have a set of vs-ss wheels and am wanting to powder coat the bolts with a transparent gold. The bolts are a 12pt socket head.

I've seen the enitire bolt head powdered in pictures before. The powder coater I took them to said to tape off the inner splines because no tool would be able to fit them after the powder. I think having them taped off would take away from the desired look.

Can't the bolts just be torqued from the rear nuts without a problem? Or will the heads of the bolts need to be fully accessable. Thanks for any advice!

[jubdub]

This can be tricky, considering the fact that the powder coat will build like a 3mm layer, it will change the size of the insert a bit. Even so you should he able to get away with torquing them from the inside via the nut. You can use a composite socket on the powdered bolts as not to damage the finish.

[electricalbox]

Are you sure they were powdercoated previously? I have painted bolts with success, but never powdercoated them due to the mill thickness being much higher then paint.

I would suggest plating (steel) or anodizing (aluminum) them to keep the mill thickness down.

[andybob]

Are you sure they were powdercoated previously? I have painted bolts with success, but never powdercoated them due to the mill thickness being much higher then paint.

I would suggest plating (steel) or anodizing (aluminum) them to keep the mill thickness down.

What he said. I would look into getting them plated as opposed to powder coated.

As for tightening them, those bolts look very similar to the bolts on my Walds. After I got each bolt snugged up, I was able to do the final torque with just using the nut on the backside of the wheel with the exception of a few bolts.

I know with plated bolts, you can put silk on the wrench to keep from damaging the plating. That's what I would do.

[TGMcCoy]

Thanks for all the advice! appreciated...hopefully all will go well, they are getting completely powdercoated with a transparent gold

[JE BMW]

in for pics. im debating doing the same thing. but found a guy that said he can electroplate the bolts too.
when would they be ready?

[TGMcCoy]

should be early next week, all bolts(wheels and center caps)in gold and faces in black cherry- im hoping it will turn out as good as it looks in my mind!

[96CD7]

its a bolt its not rocket science mane it can be done or just paint them yourself...

[wrobbin]

I think they would hold up fine. I have a set of douglas wheels that I had powdercoated black for my quad. They take a beating on the the track from rocks and have yet to chip. The paint still looks fresh after 2 years.

[TGMcCoy]

i just wanted to see if anybody has any problems torquing the bolts from the inside, they tend to spin a little-- any tricks

[glword]

would suggest plating (steel) or anodizing (aluminum) them to keep the mill thickness down.

[TGMcCoy]

I would have, around here the price seemed outrageous--- although if you have any recommendations or shops you know of who plate for a decent price, you can let me know for future reference.

I've found plenty of places selling pre plated gold bolts but are the 12pt non socket versions(think the standard BBS bolts) and will go with those for future builds, but these socket heads are harder to find.

[JE BMW]

Im still trying to decide to either powdercoat the heads of my bolts or plate them (brass) then light coat of clear.
The guy is gonna call me back to give me the estimate.

[TGMcCoy]

Cool, let me know what quote you get.

I'm STILL waiting on my faces and bolts.. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday ill have them. Post pics then

[JE BMW]

did you have the bolts chromed or did they come like that??
how much are they chargin you to powder coat the heads>>