powder coating wheels

[dailydriver]

I just picked up a set of the OEM five-arm double-spoke wheels so I can mount summer/performance tires on them and leave my winter tires on the titanium finish wheels that I ordered with the car. I opted for these wheels instead of aftermarket since I just love the style and wanted to maintain a stock look. The wheels are standard aluminum finish which would be fine but I prefer something darker so I am going to get them powder coated in a satin black finish. I have a shop lined up and have a quote but I thought I might poll the other forum members for some info:

• Who else has had this done and how much did you pay for a set of four wheels?

• What kind of warranty did you get?

• Do you know of any shops you would recommend in the Chicago area?

Thanks.

[drjrg]

My factory wheels are powder coated and I love them. Initially, I thought it was a little too much black but now I am very happy with them.
I think it was around $150/ wheel but I can check and confirm. The coating has stayed on perfectly except for where my wife brushed a curb.
If you want some pics, pm me your email address and I will shoot you some pics.
john

[R8Spyderman]

An old friend who owns a powder coating biz quoted me $225/wheel and that is if I deliver the bare wheels to him w/o sensors and tires as he isn't an automobile shop and has no facilities for mounting or breaking down tires on rims.

[KfabR8]

Powder coating's a killer way to go with rims, as long as they are prepped correctly. It's brutally tough (for a colored covering), and generally fairly UV stable.

Who ever you use, make sure that they are completely and totally anal about getting the surface prepped before coating. This is the key to a good final product and avoiding issues with orange peel.

Correctly done, the rims should be bead blasted with something that will remove the main OEM coating (sand) then reblasted with a media such as baking soda or walnut shells. (cleans the sand out of pores and such) and sort of does a "finish sanding".

Next step is a good phosphorous wash to completely strip anything that may be left behind. Often there's one more wash done - distilled water or similar.

Powder coating is actually a thermoset plastic that's been ground down to a very fine powder (similar to powdered sugar). You have to heat it up (temps vary, but usually are in the 400+ range) to make it melt and adhere to what ever it's being put on.

I'd recommend finding a local chopper shop/mfg and see who they're using for frames and such. Those guys are picky about finish, so they'll know who can and who can't do the work.

Make sure that who ever does your work leaves the sockets for the lug bolts and the mating surfaces to the hubs of the car completely free of the powder coating. It WILL compress and allow your lugs to become loose. Very dangerous to put powder coating in between anything that requires torqued tightening, as the stuff WILL come loose - guaranteed.

I paid $250 for a set of 5 15" off road rims to be coated locally. It may be a bit more $$ for a 19" rim with spokes. A bit more surface area and more nooks and crannies to fill versus what I had done.

You can get powder in just about any color you can think of. Pearls, metallics, textured, veined, trans colors over metallics - if it can be done with spray (wet), it can be done with powder, provided you can find the right shop.

[dailydriver]

Powder coating's a killer way to go with rims, as long as they are prepped correctly. It's brutally tough (for a colored covering), and generally fairly UV stable.

Who ever you use, make sure that they are completely and totally anal about getting the surface prepped before coating. This is the key to a good final product and avoiding issues with orange peel.

Correctly done, the rims should be bead blasted with something that will remove the main OEM coating (sand) then reblasted with a media such as baking soda or walnut shells. (cleans the sand out of pores and such) and sort of does a "finish sanding".

Next step is a good phosphorous wash to completely strip anything that may be left behind. Often there's one more wash done - distilled water or similar.

Powder coating is actually a thermoset plastic that's been ground down to a very fine powder (similar to powdered sugar). You have to heat it up (temps vary, but usually are in the 400+ range) to make it melt and adhere to what ever it's being put on.

I'd recommend finding a local chopper shop/mfg and see who they're using for frames and such. Those guys are picky about finish, so they'll know who can and who can't do the work.

Make sure that who ever does your work leaves the sockets for the lug bolts and the mating surfaces to the hubs of the car completely free of the powder coating. It WILL compress and allow your lugs to become loose. Very dangerous to put powder coating in between anything that requires torqued tightening, as the stuff WILL come loose - guaranteed.

I paid $250 for a set of 5 15" off road rims to be coated locally. It may be a bit more $$ for a 19" rim with spokes. A bit more surface area and more nooks and crannies to fill versus what I had done.

You can get powder in just about any color you can think of. Pearls, metallics, textured, veined, trans colors over metallics - if it can be done with spray (wet), it can be done with powder, provided you can find the right shop.

Thanks for the detailed information KfabR8 - it is quite helpful!

[OEMplus.com]

We charge $125-150/wheel to do any color you want.

Kfab is right about the prep and process. Nothing is more important...

[R8Spyderman]

That's very reasonable: an old friend who owns a powder coating biz wants $225 per! Some friend.

[harrison]

My new connek strips, polishes, and chromes for 100.00 per. And I may buy a CNC machine and start making wheels. But I am into GO not show. IF I jump into this new venture , I will cater to my racer buddies. (primarily)

[Europrice]

Can be done for around $100 wheel. Loads of people offer it and it is about having everything done properly. I've had great luck with Rotiform down in SoCal, whom I have do my wheel refinishing and work, and you can go direct to them or through me. If you need more information don't hesitate to PM or email: contact@europrice.us

Cheers,

[dailydriver]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. I would love to use one of the site sponsors, but I'll probably use a local shop to avoid the significant shipping costs.