Anyone ever Line-X trailer wheels? - The Hull Truth

hooligan_joe · 10-23-2009, 09:15 PM

Despite rinsing after every use, and plenty of aluma-guard treatments, the finish on my aluminum wheels just doesn't hold up. After only a year, they're pitted up and discolored pretty bad. On previous trailers I've tried just about everything to resurrect, including blasting and clearcoating and blasting and powdercoating. Results always looked good for a short period of time and then...well, not so good.

After reading some of the off-roading blogs, I found that some folks line-x or rhino-coat their wheels. I'm starting to think that such a utilitarian approach is the right idea, so I'm wondering if anyone has ever done this to trailer wheels, for saltwater use especially?

Found lots of photos online and they look awesome, but I have a few questions and hope someone out there has done this...

1) How durable? Short term? Long term?
2) What's the best way to prep the surface?
3) What about wheel balancing? Will the magnets stay on?

Thanks for any guidance,

Joe

MacCTD · 10-24-2009, 04:39 AM

I would thik Por-15 would be a better choice as it is thinner more like paint and is proven for corrosion prevention.

rwidman · 10-24-2009, 07:24 AM

Quote:

After reading some of the off-roading blogs, I found that some folks line-x or rhino-coat their wheels.

That might be your best source of advice.

I can tell you about the painted wheels on my trailer. Factory paint job on glvanized wheels. The first time I removed the lug nots the paint cracked. It kept cracking and flaking off untill it was really a mess. When I sold the boat, most of the paint was off.

My thought would be that you might have a problem sealing the tires against a coated rim. Or that the coating would be damaged if you had to remove and replace the tires.

Would it be possible to have them anodized?

hooligan_joe · 10-24-2009, 11:28 AM

From what I can tell, the four wheel guys are only coating the outside wheel face, and leaving the rim and interior clean.

Here's a link to some photos I found. Have to scroll down a bit.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...el-wheels.html

Joe · 10-24-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooligan_joe

From what I can tell, the four wheel guys are only coating the outside wheel face, and leaving the rim and interior clean.

Here's a link to some photos I found. Have to scroll down a bit.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...el-wheels.html

I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that.

rwidman · 10-25-2009, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hooligan_joe

From what I can tell, the four wheel guys are only coating the outside wheel face, and leaving the rim and interior clean.

Here's a link to some photos I found. Have to scroll down a bit.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd...el-wheels.html

Still, think about where the lug nuts hit. You should probably mask off a circle so they don't contact the paint. Not only would they damage the paint when tightened, the nuts might not reach proper torque with the product under the surface.

Actuslly, mask off a circle s large as the wrench so it doesn't damage the paint when removing or installing tires.

oceandansar · 10-25-2009, 06:08 AM

a guy that works across the street from me did the whole outside of a brand new super duty looks crazy

Joe · 10-25-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceandansar

a guy that works across the street from me did the whole outside of a brand new super duty looks crazy

He line-x'd the entire exterior of a new truck?

Wow...that's just stupid.

rwidman · 10-26-2009, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

He line-x'd the entire exterior of a new truck?

Wow...that's just stupid.

He started out just doing the wheels but he got a little overspray on the fenders and figured "Oh, what the heck ............. "

yz250b · 10-26-2009, 07:24 AM

We spray wheels all the time, aluminum needs to be prepped a certain way for good adhesion. As far as corrosion protection how is 2 million truck beds protected by a nationwide lifetime warranty for a backbone!

240 LTS · 10-26-2009, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwidman

Still, think about where the lug nuts hit. You should probably mask off a circle so they don't contact the paint. Not only would they damage the paint when tightened, the nuts might not reach proper torque with the product under the surface.

Actually, mask off a circle s large as the wrench so it doesn't damage the paint when removing or installing tires.

There are multiple post on people throwing everything you can think of into a bed that has been sprayed with Line-X and not getting damage enough to be concerned about it. Shoveling dirt, stones, and mulch; sliding brick, block and stone pallets across the bed with fork lifts, etc...
I do not believe the end of a lug wrench stands a chance against the product.
JMHO.

240 LTS · 10-26-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe

I can't imagine why anyone would want to do that.

I thought the OP gave good reasons for wanting to do it.
I have some chrome rims I would like to Line-X.

bwguardian · 10-26-2009, 08:49 AM

If you are thinking about utilizing anything over a hot dipped galvanized surface...use a wire brush to remove the oxidation on the surface then wipe down with vinegar prior to painting and you should be good.

240 LTS · 10-26-2009, 09:21 AM

Line-X on trailers:

http://www.linexpics.com/pricing.php?ID=13

http://www.linexpics.com/gallery_view.php?ID=24

Joe · 10-26-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240 LTS

I thought the OP gave good reasons for wanting to do it.
I have some chrome rims I would like to Line-X.

I was actually referring to the example web page write ups where people linex'd there Nissan Xterra rims.

yz250b · 10-26-2009, 11:29 AM

Chrome is a pita to spray - sandblast & primer is a must!

gtrfred · 10-26-2009, 11:52 AM

thanks for the links. on the website, they are only discussing painted metal trailers. i wonder how applicable it would be to aluminum trailers for saltwater usage?

yz250b · 10-26-2009, 12:24 PM

If done right it would work really well! The key is to remove all the salt with a good hot bath before any prep begins!

Joe · 10-26-2009, 12:35 PM

I guess I'd wonder why would you want to line-x an aluminum trailer?

And most aluminum trailers flex quite a bit--wouldn't that cause adhesion issues?

gtrfred · 10-27-2009, 06:56 AM

i dont know why i would line-x an aluminum trailer. i was just more curious if it would work.

i dont think it would be a bad idea to line-x the galvanized rims on the trailer though. i guess there would be way too much flexing to spray a set of leaf springs.