Teflon Coated Wheels

[Bad Dawg]

Just got my new Four Wheeler mag last night. A couple of pages near the front are two adds for American Racing teflon coated wheels. This may not be new to some folks here but I haven't seen them talked about yet. They are also listed towards the rear in the new products section. They are BLACK for all you folks out there looking at ways to powder coat, black chrome or paint their wheels. If they are as tough as I would think they would be then all that mud and crud would be soooo easy to clean up and keep the wheels in balance. Check them out:

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[Bad Dawg]

Just got my new Four Wheeler mag last night. A couple of pages near the front are two adds for American Racing teflon coated wheels. This may not be new to some folks here but I haven't seen them talked about yet. They are also listed towards the rear in the new products section. They are BLACK for all you folks out there looking at ways to powder coat, black chrome or paint their wheels. If they are as tough as I would think they would be then all that mud and crud would be soooo easy to clean up and keep the wheels in balance. Check them out:

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[Bad Dawg]

Next Pic:

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[Bad Dawg]

Oh, they come in 16" 17" and 18"

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[DRTYFN]

Have you ever seen someone use a fork to stir something in a teflon coated pan? It scratches.

Those wheels look great, but the price is probably much higher than powdercoating. Cleaning might be easier. Before you go wheeling you could spray them with Pam cooking spray first so the dirt would just slide right off. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

S&B Member since '03

[Klaus]

Hey, just ride you brakes and you can fry up an egg! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Klaus

Rare 2003 H2 with UM8 Integrated Navigation Radio http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif
Skull & Bones Member since 2003

[Bad Dawg]

DRTYFN - I had the same thoughts, but something tells me American Racing has worked this out better than a cheap frying pan. The add says they have been working with Dupont to get it right. I would volunteer to test them.

I was just thinking that if someone was in the market for a new set of wheels and wanted black ones these sounded interesting. They are painted first then coated with the teflon. I like the idea of them doubleing as a camp skillet though (if I could figure out how to keep stuff from falling through the holes. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[DRTYFN]

I'm just looking from the persective of repairing them after dinging them up. All I have to do is fill the ding, smooth it out and have it recoated. Maybe $50-75/wheel.
I'm wondering how much it would cost and how difficult it would be to fix one of those wheels.
I do think the idea is interesting, though. I'd like to hear how durable they are.

S&B Member since '03

[Hummerdad]

DRTYFN

What tires are you running?

[FrgMstr]

Total investment in the wheel and powder coating = $85/rim. That included cost of the rim, shipping, pc, and blasting. Kinda hard to argue with that. And they held up great even getting slammed around a bunch this weekend. (http://ares.hardocp.com/files/hummer/Gilmer0104/gilmer-kyle-1.mpg)

I just bought 20 sets and am going to sell them on ebay and see how it goes. Thought it would be a fun side project.

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[Spike]

FrgMst,
Any special pricing outside of ebay for forum members?

S&B Member

[FrgMstr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Spike:
FrgMst,
Any special pricing outside of ebay for forum members?

S&B Member<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to get cost down solid first, but I will give you guys first shot at them. I sanded and painted my own centercaps and need to get them done professionally for others and I am unsure as to the cost. My garage has been doubling as a paint booth lately and my wife is not too keen on that. I can only imagine if she finds me prepping 88 endcaps on the kitchen table.

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[DRTYFN]

Is that finish textured?

S&B Member since '03

[FrgMstr]

Yes it is. Matches the rocker bars almost perfectly.

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[Bad Dawg]

Last weekend I bought a can of Dupli-Color's Truck Bed Coating (aerosol can) to shoot the bezel surround on my mud race rig. It has a rather course texture but I was wondering if anyone has tried using this on any wheels? It's some pretty tough stuff, like Rhino coating or Line-X. Cost $8 a can. Seems like a cheap alternative to $85 a wheel to recoat powder coating for those folks who beat up their wheels on a regular basis.
http://duplicolor.anthonythomas.com/products/truckbed.html

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[FrgMstr]

You have a great idea there, and I fully looked into it before PC and did follow the idea up with professionals in my area with both Rhino and Line-X.

Bottom line is this. The stuff peels off fairly easily if you do any kind of wheeling. Should you not mind repairing the stuff all the time and having a bed liner finish, then more power to you.

There is a H2 at a local dealer that has had every black part on it covered in Rhino. It is novel, but in the end the PC looks much more professional in my opinion and is a more enduring finish without a doubt.

I would suggest just spray painting them black yourself before using bed liner, that would be even cheaper and probably more durable.

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[Dan]

I like that slightly textured look in that pic a lot.

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SUT on order 12/02. 13 months down, 5 to go!
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S&B Member Since 2003

[Bad Dawg]

I'm surprised that you found out that it peels off "easily". I'm not into the bed liner look on my H2 (or any rig. I've seen entire trucks painted with the stuff). I was just thinking that if folks are constantly doing heavy wheeling that will chip the PC all the time it would end up costing a lot. I've had nerf bars, bumpers, side steps etc. all covered with PC and it only takes one rock kicked up to chip the PC in nothing flat. It does look good though before it chips. Truck bed liner won't chip at least. (wow, it really does peel off huh?? Amazing). So I guess I shouldn't use it on my race rig wheels? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

You can never have enough horsepower! Yellow LUX, Airforce intake, stainless headers and exhaust, Gobi rack and ladder, roof mounted off road lights, full wrap brush guard, rear light guards, outside tire carrier, Rancho 4" suspension lift, Ultra "EN4CER" 17x9 wheels, Goodyear 37/12.50R17 MT/R tires, removed side-step bars, 9.5ti warn multi-mount winch.

[H2 Bill]

Another use for the bedliner is for your removable side steps. If yours have started peeling it works great as a refinish PLUS it makes it non-slip! My wife complained about how slippery they were all of the time until I re-finished them.

2003 H2 Hummer, Yellow,Polished Whipple Supercharged, Edelbrock ceramics, catback,18" Ambush w/mudders,lots of goodies!
Y2K Corvette Millennium Yellow Convert/Blk/Blk, B&B headers, B&B Tri-Flo's, H-Tech MAG,GMS MAF, RM Racing TwinFlow.
1994 Chev 454 Suburban, Blown, Doug Thorley
1970 Trans Am, balanced, blue printed, Hooker ceramics

www.4swimwear.com (http://www.4swimwear.com)

[FrgMstr]

No by all means, if it works for you that is great. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I do not have any personal experience, just passing along what the oldest Rhino liner dealer in my area had to say.

I am not sure but it seems a coating that heavy on the wheels might lead to balance issues as well, but that is just a guess.

On a personal note, I think the Rhino liner on the wheels do not look "good" and the PC does. To each his own. I won't force you to buy any PC wheels if you don't come to my house and Rhino all my rims!!! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[FrgMstr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dan:
I like that slightly textured look in that pic a lot.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The finish is so close to the stock rocker bar finish that you cannot tell them apart. I don't know the spec on the finish, I just researched local PCers in Dallas for a couple of months and found the one that came back very well recommened, but not charging 100 bucks a wheel and showed him the H2 stock PC and said, "That is what I want." He said it would not be a problem.

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[hinten]

Hey FrgMstr,
I'd be interested in a set. How can I contact you to get a deal done?

Hinten

[Detonate]

I was going to have my bumpers done in that bed liner stuff, but I was warned by the TC people that it'd chip off, and that the powder coating would hold up better.

The powder coating my scratch off where it contacts rock, but the bed liner would peel off larger pieces than the area impacted.

------------------------------
North Texas Hummer Team Member
http://www.redreefscuba.com/hummer/ht.jpg (http://www.hummerteam.com/)
2003 Red H2 equipped with Tough Country Heavy Duty Armor Series Front End with Winch, Rear Bumper, Brush Guard, and Roof Rack.

[FrgMstr]

Just send me your email with a message that you are interested in the wheels and I will start making a list. I should about 3 to 4 weeks out on delivery.

kyle@kylebennett.com

There will be a website set up at htt://www.hardhummer.com.

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[SOCRATES]

Me likey! Sent you an e-mail! http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

-J

Black '04 H2 w/ Adventure & Luxury Packages. Mod-free for now, but not long!

[HUMMERDOGG]

I love them too and sent you a pm...

-HUMMERDOGG

"Skull and Bones" Member Since 2003

TROLL POACHER (I hunt trolls even if it ain't troll hunting season...)

TROLL TAXIDERMIST (For those of you who get to them before I can. I provide this service free of charge...)

[Centerfire]

Cool looking wheels, still prefer my bling wheels

MIke

[SOCRATES]

FrgMstr,

Any update on the wheels?

Thanks,
-Justyn

Black '04 H2 w/ Adventure & Luxury Packages. GOBI Ladder, Genuine Hummer Step and Driving Lights, Corsa on the way!

[FrgMstr]

Yes, but this is turning out to be a bit more than I had thought as the Powder Coater did not give me some needed information.

I went back with a second single set for him to PC, and he quoted me nearly DOUBLE what he had quoted before. This was rather surprising as you might imagine. Turns out that his cost on sandblasting the wheels was more than what he charged me total and he pulled the invoices to prove it to me. It seems that the clear coat finish on the stock rims is not some "normal" paint and extremely hard to remove. (Well, not difficult, but time consuming. If you go with a heavier blasting media to speed the process you then can damage the aluminum.)

So, I have been shopping sandblasters this morning and have just left a rim with another to blast in order to get a quote back from him.

Another interesting issue from all of this is that no Powder Coater I can find will warranty their work if the wheels are not blasted and prepped properly.

SO...all in all, it is not going to be as inexpensive as I thought, but it will still be a very quality product as I have now found some of the "primo" PCers in my area. Also, be aware of "cheap" PC jobs as they are likely just PC over the current coating and are likely to not have long term durability.

On the upside, I am still moving forward with my idea as I think folks are interested and got the Hard Hummer (http://www.hardhummer.com) operational. And should be able to take some orders soon on what I think will be a very solid product. We have some other ideas in the works as well. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[SOCRATES]

I have no problem paying a bit more for higher quality work.

Keep us posted!

Thanks!

Black '04 H2 w/ Adventure & Luxury Packages. GOBI Ladder, Genuine Hummer Step and Driving Lights, Corsa on the way!

[FrgMstr]

Took them 26 to 30 minutes per wheel to blast them with a number 4 sand then go back and polish with a number 5 sand.

The cost to me was $48 per wheel.

Knocking off the polish as the finish that is shown is textured, knocked 5 minutes off the job, so the dollar impact was not that big of a deal.

After talking to the blasters, he explained that the stock finish, considering the durability, may be acceptable to PC over. He referred me to two more PCers to talk to.

If I can find a PCer that will warranty his work without blasting the wheel, I will offer it. I think we will sell one that is blasted as well.

I will keep you guys informed as I have to meet with the PCers tomorrow.

If nothing else, this has been educational. FYI, I do have 86 wheels that will be inbound next week, so we will do it one way or another. (Hehe, "No Bling" stickers on the way too.)

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com

[DRTYFN]

I told you, but you wouldn't listen.
Plus, you won't find any PCers that will warranty the job without stripping the wheel first.

S&B Member since '03

[FrgMstr]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by DRTYFN:
I told you, but you wouldn't listen.
Plus, you won't find any PCers that will warranty the job without stripping the wheel first.

S&B Member since '03<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for your input, it is greatly appreciated. I would much rather do my own homework and make my own decisions when I am spending my money though. Not properly prepping the product and seeing a bunch of bad inventory because "some guy in the forum said it was OK" is not how I like to do things. I am sure you understand.

Hehe, I think you made your own argument there though. For me personally, I don't want them if they are not prepped properly first. Should any PCer be willing to warranty their work without the blasting (and back that warranty up with quality product), then I would be willing to sell that, but I fully agree with you that is not likely to happen and the reason is because it NEEDS to be done for it to be a top shelf job.

Quality is my concern here and if we have sacrifice quality for price, I will not worry about selling them at all. Life is too short to have to hire extra help to handle returns. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

________________________
Black 2003 H2 - Just like most of yours, just possibly with less crap bolted on.

My job: http://www.HardOCP.com