Exciting Powder Paint Surface Innovations for Your Alcoa Wheel Programs
Galaxy™ texture with polished spokes.
Alcoa has completed environmental testing on three new AkzoNobel Galaxy™ powder coating systems. Each system provides exceptional new appearance options coupled with special capabilities. The new Galaxy™ powder products are stunning by themselves but create incredible contrast when combined with other surface aesthetics such as ultra-bright machining, high luster polish or premium chrome. Like standard paints, there are endless color and hue choices that can be achieved while maintaining the special attributes that make them exclusive.
Galaxy™ texture with polished lip.
The Galaxy™ textured powder systems are extremely durable one-coat powder options. These systems provide a rugged appearance with an adherence stronger than normal four-coat paint systems. The finish is a textured matte appearance that displays the depth and angles of the wheel. When combined with polish or chrome sections, the result is a soft texture-rich play of color, reflection, texture and brightness.
Mystic Shadow
Alcoa has also worked with AkzoNobel on two exclusive Galaxy™ new "liquid silver" colors, "mystic shadow" and "silver mist".
Silver Mist
These colors are two-coat "liquid silver" powder coating systems that display a depth and fluidity matching or surpassing more costly four-coat paint systems. These two-coat systems direct and refract light to simulate a multi-layered system based on current approved powder resins and are not subject to the high rejection rate of the four-coat liquid systems they emulate.
AkzoNobel and Alcoa have worked together to also develop an impressive matte clear coat that provides great UV protection from fading. Combined with carefully selected colors, the AkzoNobel Galaxy™ matte satin clear coat provides a rich and pleasant sheen. The matte satin clear adjusts contrast and reflection across different angles allowing for a more distinguished showcase of the natural lines engineered into the wheel.
These new surface options are cost competitive to premium paint systems and can be used to differentiate a wheel program, especially for luxury vehicles, optional upgrades or model refreshes. Please contact your Alcoa wheel professional for more information.
Chrysler, LLC has recognized how Alcoa’s Dura-Bright® technology can add value and differentiation to their product lines and has selected the innovation as OEM fitment on several vehicles. Starting with the 2009 model, Dura-Bright® technology will appear on Dodge and Jeep platforms.
Jeep has also selected Dura-Bright® technology for fitment on Grand Cherokee SRT-8. Vehicle owners will appreciate the exclusive wheel surface treatment to easily clean away brake dust, dirt and road grime whether they use the vehicle for on-road or off-road performance.
Alcoa Wheels and Ivan "Ironman" Stewart continue with the launch of a full line of Ivan Stewart Signature Series vehicles built from Toyota platforms. Following up on the Tundra package announcement in our May issue, we now present a Signature Series package for the FJ Cruiser.
The Ivan Stewart Signature Series FJ Cruiser combines package upgrade options to compliment and build on the capabilities of the original OEM platform. The Stage 3 FJ Cruiser package, the most aggressive package combination and pictured above, includes a TRD Supercharger, big brake kit, Hella front light bar, ARB Rock-Rail, numerous "Signature Series" cosmetic upgrades and 17" forged aluminum Pro Series wheels from Alcoa. Look for Ivan’s signature engraved right into the spoke of each forged aluminum wheel.
Alcoa is proud to announce a new partnership with Big O Tires. As an Alcoa approved wheel retailer, Big O Tires now offers the full catalog of Alcoa aftermarket wheels through more than 540 stores in 21 states and Canada.
"We are honored that Alcoa’s vacuum die casting process has been recognized by Nissan for technical innovation. The blending of this manufacturing process with advanced alloys enabled us to meet Nissan’s performance requirements, particularly strength and deformation characteristics, while still keeping a high-performance body made of lightweight materials," said Kevin Kramer, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products.
