DIY Paint or Powdercoat?

Diagro · 19 Jul 2016 at 13:56

Yo

So new alloys are here, Ready to play with.

I have a question for people -

I have the option of spending a few evenings prepping and painting them myself, Would get a decent frontal finish.
This would cost approx £60 in paint and materials. Along with say 12 hours of my time?

Or there is the option of dropping the alloys off to be Sand blasted on my way to work, collecting them a few days later and then dropping them off to a Powder coaters on my way to work.
This would cost:
£40-60 for blasting
£100 for Powder + Lacquer finish.

The Difference is £100 and the latter option would have the ENTIRE wheel stripped and coated where as the former would only allow me to sand back and paint the frontal view.

I'm leaning towards Powder. What would you do?

tom_e · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:03

Get them done properly they'll only look crap in a few months time otherwise and you'll end up paying out to get them powdercoated anyway.

Borealis · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:10

tom_e said:
Get them done properly they'll only look crap in a few months time otherwise and you'll end up paying out to get them powdercoated anyway.

This. It'll last better in the long run and look better than a DIY job that only covers the front.

Diagro · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:27

I had a feeling that would be the response.

Will take them to the blasters tomorrow Am then

Janesy B · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:28

Powercoat chips, get them painted.

Diagro · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:43

Janesy B said:
Powercoat chips, get them painted.

I did look into having them painted, But its around £50 per wheel. I'm not paying someone £50 to paint them when all i would get is the front face painted.

Clarkey · 19 Jul 2016 at 14:46

Powder coat doesn't chip in my experience. The set I had done is only used for drift now so just total abuse, tyre changes galore, tyre delam flailing, broadside into gravel, tossed around in the back of the car. The only damage they have is some light scratching.

GhostWKD · 19 Jul 2016 at 15:11

For that price definitely powdercoat

Struggling to find somewhere to powdercoat a few sets for me at a reasonable price

Diagro · 19 Jul 2016 at 15:53

GhostWKD said:
For that price definitely powdercoat

Struggling to find somewhere to powdercoat a few sets for me at a reasonable price

Quotes around here are mad.

Some places wanting £50+ for doing half the work (No blasting or curb rash removal)

There is a place in Birmingham that will do a full set for £80. That inc stripping, repair and powder/clearcoat. But i will find it hard to get there plus there are mixed reviews. I am tempted though if i can convince my wife to go to Birmingham lol

Dr Who · 19 Jul 2016 at 18:27

Good powder coating is great, poor powdercoating can flake, go to someone who is recommended!

tigerstyle · 19 Jul 2016 at 19:55

Diagro said:
Quotes around here are mad.

Some places wanting £50+ for doing half the work (No blasting or curb rash removal)

There is a place in Birmingham that will do a full set for £80. That inc stripping, repair and powder/clearcoat. But i will find it hard to get there plus there are mixed reviews. I am tempted though if i can convince my wife to go to Birmingham lol

Picked my wheels up from there yesterday. Great service.
Use a courier.

Clarkey · 19 Jul 2016 at 21:19

FWIW I did have mine done at city powder coaters and I can't complain at all.

Diagro · 20 Jul 2016 at 08:53

Oh ok then, thats two people here who have used them.

In that case i will be dropping them off on Saturday, and will be leaving them there for a week.

I'm tempted to get some sparkle added to the Anthracite now after seeing their wide colour selection.

They will also fit my new set of tyres after for £5 a wheel! Bargain

Armageus · 20 Jul 2016 at 09:01

Diagro said:
I'm tempted to get some sparkle added to the Anthracite now after seeing their wide colour selection.

I know it's a matter of opinion, but dark coloured wheels on a dark coloured car never seem to suit it.

Diagro · 20 Jul 2016 at 09:24

Armageus said:
I know it's a matter of opinion, but dark coloured wheels on a dark coloured car never seem to suit it.

What would be your choice for a Graphite car? Seriously i am open minded here.

My wife says pink...!

Armageus · 20 Jul 2016 at 09:52

Diagro said:
What would be your choice for a Graphite car? Seriously i am open minded here.

My wife says pink...!

Personally I quite like bronze/gold wheels on grey cars e.g.

although a bright silver would probably also work.

Best idea would be to get a picture of the car with the wheels on, then get either photoshop it yourself (or get others here to), and try out a lot of different options.

Some wheels look terrible in certain colours, and some colours just don't work with certain cars.

At the end of the day though, it is your money and only needs to look pleasing to you.

Diagro · 20 Jul 2016 at 11:16

Hmm bronze.
I am a fan of shiny copper, that may look good.
But am worried that it may look "rusty" when the dust piles on.

The_Dark_Side · 20 Jul 2016 at 13:16

Do it properly, you'll only regret it later if you don't.

tom_e · 21 Jul 2016 at 10:34

I might see if those guys in Brum will do bike wheels, black with a gold fleck would look pretty good on mine.

Diagro · 26 Jul 2016 at 10:01

So, I dropped the alloys off yesterday.

Estimated collection is Friday - Monday.
I opted for "Black Sparkle"

Anthracite was a little too similar to my cars colour, and i didnt want silver.

the "Black Sparkle" is a sort of dark silver with a nice sparkle in the sun. I thought that was a good looking colour. And i will find out later in the week.