[denverpete]

Ironically, you'd probably be safe powdercoating a new set of rims - but I wouldn't do it to an older set.

Yes, the alloy can make a big difference depending upon whether the aluminum used was tempered (T). In all likelihood, however, you aren't going to find rims which aren't tempered since they would then be too maleable to begin with.

I can't think of a single powdercoating method which involves lower temps. An automated line might get it through quicker, but it still has to get up there in temperature. Most people also don't realize that the preferred way to remove powdercoat paint is to "burn it off" in the ovens.

It is absolutely amazing what running aluminum through a powdercoat process multiple times will do. We had a housing that we kept painting over and over (silver sucks to get right during powdercoating). By the 3rd or 4th time this 4' long, 40lb housing could easily be bent by a small child. My co-worker bent it into a pretzel and hung it on his wall.