Powder coating vs. Painting wheels

[Soks]

Hello, I'm interested in getting my wheels either powder coated or painted to change their color. Does anyone know the benefits to either? Is powder coating much more durable? Is there a trade off in appearance? Thanks.

[explorerfx4]

appearance wise they should look the same, and yes powder coating is much more durable then paint, mine are painted and scratch way to easily, especially when having tires mounted. powder coating is the way to go!

[Soks]

I've just heard that C/P might be climate dependent and if it chips off, it will chip in dollar coin size chunks?

[FreddieS]

Properly applied powdercoating (pre-heated wheels, then powdercoated and baked properly) will not just chip off in the cold.

If you want a shiny silver use paint, powdercoat rarely goes mega smooth

[saabchilten]

there have also been plenty of complaints of the viggen wheels (powder coated from factory) having the coat evantually peel off once it chips. i have no idea how bad it is though, but that's a consideration. at least you could repaint your wheels yourself if you did it in the proper environment.

[FreddieS]

Originally Posted by saabchilten

there have also been plenty of complaints of the viggen wheels (powder coated from factory) having the coat evantually peel off once it chips. i have no idea how bad it is though, but that's a consideration. at least you could repaint your wheels yourself if you did it in the proper environment.

Factory powdercoating is rarely top notch.

Most factory powdercoating plants will be cold powdercoating, which means the powder doesnt always adhear to the wheel as well as it could, the idea of heating the wheel is so that upon contact the powder melts evenly, often time the wheels are baked for about 2 hours to ensure they are evenly heated, as a cold spot would cause imperfection in the finish.

Pre-heated wheels also end up with a higher gloss than cold coated wheels.

[Soks]

Ok, some things to think about. I'm wanting a satin black or charcoal finish, and i'm trying to figure out what the best thing to do is. I've been quoted cheaper to have them painted, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it to try and get them powder coated. It sounds like it might be a toss up?

[FreddieS]

Originally Posted by Soks

Ok, some things to think about. I'm wanting a satin black or charcoal finish, and i'm trying to figure out what the best thing to do is. I've been quoted cheaper to have them painted, but I wasn't sure if it was worth it to try and get them powder coated. It sounds like it might be a toss up?

satin finish, go for powdercoat

if you want mega glossy go for paint!

[99HOT93]

words of warning...

I just finished painting one of my rims yesterday to see the effect. I used duplicolor silver high performance wheel paint and laquer after sanding priming and sanding. I have to say I am extremely disappointed. The color is not at all what I expected, it is much darker and has almost a yellowish tinge like its been burned or something. It is also not nearly as shiny or metallic looking as regular OEM wheels are.

In all I do not recommend painting your wheels (at least with duplicolor paint) you will be disappointed I think. As for powdercoating... I know nothing. How much does it typically cost to powercoat? Would it be more cost effective to just buy new rims at that point?

[saabchilten]

i was weary of duplicolor. i planned to get the wheel kit from Griot's for the longest time, and then they discontinued it this summer...when i planned to refinish my wheels. the sales department says they should be renewing it soon. supposedly, their paints come from the company that supplies the silver wheel paint to Mercedes, etc.

[Soks]

I've been quoted a powder coating for all 4 wheels at $200 us total. So I may go this route to get satin black. I'm hoping I'm not making a mistake by not having them painted.

Originally Posted by saabchilten

i was weary of duplicolor. i planned to get the wheel kit from Griot's for the longest time, and then they discontinued it this summer...when i planned to refinish my wheels. the sales department says they should be renewing it soon. supposedly, their paints come from the company that supplies the silver wheel paint to Mercedes, etc.

[toxicavenger]

I think you are talking about Wurth rim paint. Which last time I checked they were out of it.

Originally Posted by saabchilten

i was weary of duplicolor. i planned to get the wheel kit from Griot's for the longest time, and then they discontinued it this summer...when i planned to refinish my wheels. the sales department says they should be renewing it soon. supposedly, their paints come from the company that supplies the silver wheel paint to Mercedes, etc.

[lms]

Originally Posted by Soks

I've been quoted a powder coating for all 4 wheels at $200 us total. So I may go this route to get satin black. I'm hoping I'm not making a mistake by not having them painted.

Why would you think you are making a mistake as powder coating a wheel is far superior to painting with a rattle can. Just ask them what their process is is regards to them preparing the rim as some companies prep the rim much bterr then others. I PC my Porsche rims in 2000, have attended many auto-x and track events and I have zero problems with them. You treat it like paint as you have to wax them. I also PC the rims on my spg and they too came out great. When you go down there just pick the color and shean as PC has come a long way.
BUT, you may want to save your money and purchase some after market rims since you are already planning on dumping 50 bucks/rim. Another 50-70 bucks/rim and you can get some nice rims.

[Soks]

Well, i was going to get the wheel painted professionally from the manufacturer before even receiving the wheel. For half the price. they say that they would use an acrylic based paint that they say looks nicer than powder coating. I guess I'm still debating on which to do. And I'm really interested in getting this particular rim. So that's not an issue.