Paint, clear, or bare wheels?

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Since I’ve owned the plane I have one wheel painted white and one bare. This annual I’d like to correct that. Is there any guidance or good practice advice that you guys could give on what I should do?

I’m leaning towards bare. Easier to inspect, less cleaning. Never need touch up. Cheaper. More functional than pretty.

If it makes any difference I have those wonderful 3 piece McCauly wheels. 182P.

 

[Magman]

I’m amazed there are still around!

Assuming you will disassemble them you REALLY have to check the Cessna

Manual on this. There were several types of center hubs and torque

procedures are critical on these.


Assure you do not get paint on any parting surface or a false torque reading

will be the result. Not good on any type but particularly bad with these!

 

[Bell206]

Is there any guidance or good practice advice that you guys could give on what I should do?

All the wheel mx references I'm aware of call for primer and paint on the wheels which is what I've always done. Personally not a fan of any clear coats, but if you want the aluminum look there are silver- or aluminum-colored paints.

 

[455 Bravo Uniform]

Thanks gents, as always.

 

[Dan Thomas]

Kaman has taken over production of the Cleveland wheel and brake line. Their manual is here:


Wheel and brake refinishing is covered starting on page 337. Th manual has an interactive index up front that will take you directly to the page without all the scrolling.

 

[Magman]

That was actually a rather broad statement on my part.

If you are going to paint assure you follow recommended procedure .

I’ve never seen anything except the Cessna Manual re McCauley.

There is a Cleveland Manual on-line detailing stripping, alodine and

areas to be masked when painting, They say mask off anything not

previously painted and specify a thin coat of zinc primer.

IIRC there is a SB on this.

Paint is NOT “a little is good but lots more is better”.