Changing silver hub to black

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Post Reply
Master-Ti
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 5:54 pm

by Master-Ti

I recently purchased a NOS Zipp 82 hub in polished silver, but want to make it black to match the rest of the bike and components.
What are the pros and cons of having the hub anodized black, versus having it painted or powder-coated black? It this an easy DIY project, or are there any painters you could recommend that would do this in-expensively?
Thanks in advance.

eric
Posts: 2196
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:47 pm
Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Contact:

by eric

Anodization is not a DIY. You'd have to strip the hub down to the shell, and mask it off, to get it powder coated. Paint will probably peel unless you really know what you are doing.
If you have friends getting stuff powder coated the color you want you could put your hub shell in with their run. It'd be very expensive on a per-part basis to do a powder coat run for a single part.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



jooo
Posts: 1510
Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:48 am

by jooo

Anodizing certainly can be a DIY process without a doubt. There is a huge amount of information on the web.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=diy+anodizing

eric
Posts: 2196
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 9:47 pm
Location: Santa Cruz, California, USA
Contact:

by eric

Sure, and you can get a home powder coating kit from Eastwood. Or paint and equipment from your local auto paint store.

But the OP asked for 'easy DIY'. If you have not done any of those before, they are not easy, especially if you care about the finish quality.
Not to mention needing to buy equipment. I assume the OP has not done any of those processes before based on the question.

Master-Ti
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue May 15, 2007 5:54 pm

by Master-Ti

Thanks for your input! Your opinions are much appreciated.

You're absolutely correct regarding the word "easy" in front of the DIY. I was concerned of trying to spray paint the hub myself, only to find a lousy finish that might then flake off once the spokes are brought up to tension. I have read about DIY anodizing, but wasn't interested in having to purchase expensive equipment only to be used once. I was hoping someone might have a DIY way that was not too expensive nor time consuming, yet still lead to a good looking result.

WheelBuilderOrg
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri May 10, 2013 12:46 am
Contact:

by WheelBuilderOrg

I think powdercoating is going to be the only realistic option here. I doubt it would be too much money. It would be imperative for the paint to not be too thick though so that you can still slip the spokes through the spoke holes.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



HillRPete
Posts: 2284
Joined: Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:08 am
Location: Pedal Square

by HillRPete

German easyelox.de specialises on one-off pieces, does 10x10x10cm parts for like €10. They do lots of bike stuff.
Powdercoating should work too, but you will probably have to re-drill the holes to get the paint out.
It really comes down to finding a shop which does such "small series".

Post Reply