FWIW both Alcoa Dura Brite and Accu Ride are powdered coated same kit works on both brands to repair scratches so says the guys at Les Schwap
good luck
From the Alcoa websites;
1) Dura-Bright® is not a coating, but a surface treatment that penetrates the aluminum and becomes an integral part of the wheel. It will not chip, crack, peel or corrode, like conventional coatings do. These wheels do not need polishing. Regular washing with soap and water will keep them shiny, even after hundreds of washes and thousands of miles.
2) On ordinary aluminium wheels, a coating is typically a layer of baked powder that sits on top of the wheel surface. But, with Alcoa Dura-Bright® wheels, the patented treatment actually penetrates the aluminium, forming a protective barrier that becomes an integral part of the wheel. It completely eliminates the cracking, peeling and filiform corrosion common in coated wheels.
3) Alcoa’s new Dura-Bright® technology is a patented wheel surface treatment that provides sophisticated style that is easy to maintain. It is not a coating or a finish, but a proprietary surface treatment that penetrates and reacts with the aluminum thus becoming an integral part of the wheel. The revolutionary process resists peeling, cracking and corrosion. Automotive News recently nominated Alcoa Dura-Bright® technology with a Finalist nomination in the prestigious 2007 PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers Contribution to Excellence) Award competition
4) Here is the patent number 20100021757, which does say that after all the other treatments;
"In a preferred further arrangement, a clear varnish or an easy-to-clean coating is applied to the first, but particularly to the second layer.
The application can take place in a wet method or also as powder coating. "
Which explains to me why we are obviously both right; the shine and durability isn't depending on a clear powder, but one may be applied after many other steps, explaining why they get so much $$ for the treatment.
