Powder coating or spraying - alloy refurbishment?

[ScoobyDoo69]

Hey all,

I'm about to pick up some replacement wheels - the same as mine, mainly for the tyres.

This creates the perfect opportunity to have a set refurbished, so I can have great condition shiney wheels! So do I powder coat or do I have them sprayed? Based on your answer.. why?

Also, should I go for a different colour or stick with gold? Heart and head is saying stick with gold for me..

The only problem I see, is that the golds I've seen that are powder coated, don't seem very bright?

Pics of my car and said wheels:

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Kosta

 

[Gornall]

Someone posted a set of powder coated ones in another thread that looked really good.

I have no knowledge of which is better or worse but I know they looked good

 

[agw_01]

Isn't powder coating prone to flaking off if it gets chipped?

How about a nice bronze colour Kosta? They look good against white Imprezas IMO.

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

Is my car white, Andy???

Have no idea if it's prone to flaking etc? Hence asking on here to see what peoples opinions are on the matter?

PS added pics of car to first post..

 

[-Ad-]

Powder coaated wheels fail and cause death and holocaust

Just read up on the companies and their procedures, Baking rims at silly temperatures isn't the best idea.

 

[eatcustard]

Powder coated wheels do not last

 

[helpimcrap]

doing it yourself... spray them. otherwise powder coated. or better still... autosol, bit of polish and spray bits up.

had an RSV Mille where i polished the outseif the rims and spraypainted the rims in matt black. looked awesome!

if you don't take it to a monkey the pain will last. kwik fit etc and those idiots and they won't last more than 1 wheel change.

 

[thedazman67]

Where you planning on taking them I am looking for somewhere to take mine to be refurbed.

 

[Sukh]

Is a colour similar to anthracite an option?

 

["andy"]

Powder coated wheels do not last

how so ? its tougher and more adhesive than spray. even more so if you spray gloss laquer on top like most places will do

polished is obviously the best option but also needs the most work

 

[Fr0dders]

Someone posted a set of powder coated ones in another thread that looked really good.

I have no knowledge of which is better or worse but I know they looked good

Powder coating (contrary to popular belief) is not a better process than painting. Its cheap and quick and easy and if purely powdercoated, usually favoured by those not interested in doing a proper job.

For any decent refurbisher such as the wheel specialist, lepsons, it serves as a cheap primer first coat, with a painted layer on that, and then laquer on top.
http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/
The definite stanard has to be set by Rimburbish who did THOSE bmw m5 shadow chrome wheels at the Team Dynamics Factory

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=162503

and guess what, they use a powder coat primer with a painted layer on top.

Definately want them spraying.

Kosta you want to be looking at:

http://www.rimfurbish.co.uk/
http://www.lepsons.com/
http://www.thewheelspecialist.co.uk/

 

[Maccapacca]

I powder coated a load of stuff for my bike, the aluminium is now all soft and sqishy.

Gear lever stripped off spline within 100 miles, had to buy new one.

Rear peg holders now dent when you flip up the pegs

 

[Nor]

I'd go with anthracite.

I was always under the impression that powder coating was better as it lasted longer, but after reading the posts above doesn't sound like it is.

 

[Fr0dders]

The only problem I see, is that the golds I've seen that are powder coated, don't seem very bright?

they wont be

powder coating is the cheap way out compared with a proper paint / laquer.

Its what the stanard wheels will be also. Get them sprayed. all 3 of the above companies use paint and all are well renowned.

I'd go with anthracite.

I was always under the impression that powder coating was better as it lasted longer, but after reading the posts above doesn't sound like it is.

It is in theory far tougher, but not better.

 

[Xez]

I would have thought people would much prefer Powder coating over normal spraying. I have a set of powder coated wheels and the finish is noticeably better than sprayed. This could obviously be down to who has done them though. The paint is really thick, in fact so thick the wheel is stuck on the hub

They don't have a mark or chip on them, seem very hard wearing.

 

[Kutter]

heres a guide for doing it yourself

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=985839

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

Well you see the one benefit for me, is that my family friend is a powdercoater, so the powercoating process would be very cheap. Would it be a good idea to powdercoat and then have them sprayed - even by me?

 

[Maccapacca]

No softens the aluminium, stick with painting

 

[ScoobyDoo69]

I can see the arguement with that, but I know plenty of people who have had their wheels done by him (including two sets for my brother) and they've been fine.

Has there even been a case of the aluminium being softened so much that it's lead to wheel damage or anything?

Thanks

 

[Maccapacca]

ohh dear

I think the consensus is get a proper wheel place to do it not a metal worker they overheat the alloys in he oven