Odd detailing question

J

jmerick

New member
I work with an industrial coating company (powder, liquid) and we are working on a new job of coating rims. These are high end rims where they are looking for a class a, no orange peel finish especially on the lip of the wheel. We are powder coating a clear top coat. Due to the industrial nature of our business it is nearly impossible to not get some specs in the finish. I am thinking about polish/buffing the lip of these wheels.



In a production capacity is there a way to polish a powder coated lip and not be obvious compared to the untouched sections of the wheel? If so, can you recommend any good finish product manufactures who have a rep that could come out and show us our options? I am located in Orange County, CA. Once production starts this will be performed by our shop employees so I need something fairly easy to train.



This wheel is black with raw machined aluminum sections then clear powder top coat.
 
Our coating line is one of the cleanest there is. Unfortunately when you have a conveyorized line things will occasionally land on the parts. I have a G110 and yesterday I contacted Surf City Garage due to their proximity. They are sending a few samples to test out. If there is something that could buff out some wetsanded 1200 grit sanding marks and not leave any swirls let me know. This is a large job so we would be using a lot of compound.



If I should post this somewhere else let me know where. I figured you guys are the experts so I came here first.
 
Meguiar's #105 might work with their yellow pad and the G110.



Me? I'd take a sample piece over to their headquarters (Irvine) and let them evaluate your situation.

They are the pros, and they are so close by...



Jim
 
The problem is you are talking about wheels. So a Dremal like tool comes to mind. Not sure of the total concept you are describing.
 
Here are some questions I have about of the type of correction(s) you are asking for:

How many wheels are we talking about: 12 per week or 120 per week?? Are the wheels all the same size and design, or are there many different sizes and design? What kind of deal is this with the supplier(s): a week-by-week "as needed" basis or a long-term contract?

Since I see you are looking to train your shop personnel, do they have previous skills in polishing/sanding mark removal and correction or are these people individuals "off-the-street" you are willing to train?

Do you have the needed capital (money) on hand to make that investment in time (training and personel), equipment (including fixtures or jigs to hold the wheels, polishers and pads, safety equipment like resperators and hearing protection, and polishing booths to reduce or retain dust), and chemicals (including pre-cleaning and post-cleaning)?

Are you going to need special permits from CARB or local boards, since you are a business, to do this type of work?? (Don't laugh: one worker complaining to the authorities about the chemicals or smell could result in fines if you are found not to have the correct permits, especially in California!)

Things to think about.
 
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