How much to powder coat stock wheels?

[2point0]

Originally Posted by FM Wheels

5. Applied properly plastidip looks just like powdercoating
6. Powdercoat adds weight.

5. Not even close. I've used plasti-dip on several trim pieces so I'm familiar with the application and I know it has its place. But it is not a glossy, durable finish. It's rubber and has a textured look.

6. So does plasti-dip. And paint. And brake dust. Saving weight would be replacing the heavy stock wheels. Powdercoated wheels won't slow the car down any amount that you could notice.

Originally Posted by Chimpo

Why not use wheel paint? I've used a few different duplicolor colors with great results, and they last a lot longer than a few months. I've done multiple sets that have been on the road for years and they still look fine.

^This. I've done the same. The only issue I had was not letting the paint cure long enough before getting tires mounted, so there were some scores on the paint. A few days would have made all the difference. Still looked great, though. Love that Duplicolor bronze wheel paint. Lay a bunch of clear over the paint and you've got a damn nice finish for the cost of one powdercoated wheel.

[2point0]

FYI - I'm not saying plasti-dip is terrible. I've seen some great examples, like the link posted above of the gold stockers. Cheap way to make stock wheels look better.

But saying it looks like powdercoat is a big stretch.

[adprokid]

I know that powder coating involves heating during the process, isn't that risky for the wheels strength ?

[2point0]

Originally Posted by adprokid

I know that powder coating involves heating during the process, isn't that risky for the wheels strength ?

Many powdercoating shops are accustomed to doing wheels. Just talk with them about it first. The shop I went to used stripper to remove the old powdercoating from my wheels because they didn't want to damage them. It would work, but would take lots of concentrated blasting in one spot to remove the old p/c and that would generate a good deal of extra heat that they didn't want to subject the aluminum to.

[qoncept]

Originally Posted by adprokid

I know that powder coating involves heating during the process, isn't that risky for the wheels strength ?

Powder can be cured at 250f. That's not that hot. Maybe I'll hit my hubs with a pyrometer this weekend but I'm sure the center of the wheel gets at least close to that during heavy braking at a track day.

Anyway, powdercoating and Plastidip are hardly interchangeable. My true answer to "why not plastidip" is because I think it's ugly as hell.

Unfortunately a DIY paint job, isn't much better. It's hard to paint like a pro using a rattle can. I've done it a couple times and, IMO, there is no way anyone would think it looked better than the stock finish on our wheels. And it wasn't nearly as durable as a factory finish. Maybe someone else can do it better than I can but in general DIY paint is going to look about as good as plastidip, with the option of a lot more colors and gloss finish.

FWIW, I actually AM going to plastidip my stock wheels. But only as protection because they are my track wheels.

[brunofrs]

haha here in quebec , canada i have a place who make the wheels for 100$ but they not have a big choice of colors...

[FM Wheels]

To answer some questions..

5. Not even close. I've used plasti-dip on several trim pieces so I'm familiar with the application and I know it has its place. But it is not a glossy, durable finish. It's rubber and has a textured look.

The OP wanted a flat gray look, not a glossy finish. Prep and application is what's most important, i've done a lot of wheels and they come out looking like textured powder coat. We don't do straight flat powdercoats because they scratch very easily and can't be buffed out.

6. So does plasti-dip. And paint. And brake dust. Saving weight would be replacing the heavy stock wheels. Powdercoated wheels won't slow the car down any amount that you could notice.

It's not a matter of saving weight, it adds weight overall to the wheel, it's not much (5-7oz) but the wheels will need to be rebalanced. That's another cost added.

Powder can be cured at 250f.

Yes, low temp powders can be cured at this temp but not all shops use them. Make sure you ask your powder coating shop first. Btw, when we powdercoat wheels they are always chemically stripped, degassed, and then a 2 stage powder coat is applied.

[qoncept]

Originally Posted by FM Wheels

It's not a matter of saving weight, it adds weight overall to the wheel, it's not much (5-7oz) but the wheels will need to be rebalanced. That's another cost added.

5-7oz??

http://snailmotorsports.com/index.ph...01returnid=177

If you're powdercoating wheels you're doing it with the tires off, which means they'll need to be balanced again anyway.

[2point0]

Nice link! Makes sense that multiple layers of paint/clear would weigh more than powder for the same coverage. Especially in terms of DIY rattle can. I had to lay down SO MUCH paint to cover, I think I went through a can per wheel at least.

qoncept, I can totally see where you're coming from regarding DIY paint jobs, as I've seen some that look absolutely terrible, but some look really good. I don't know what my secret ingredient was, but my bronze LGT wheels came out great. I even got through painting two of my 5Zigens white before I got a new job and decided to just have them powdercoated. The white paint was beautiful, but I ended up getting some crap blowing in the wind and settling in the clear.

[ChandlerSwyng]

I realize this topic is dead but I have a question. I am thinking about buying XXR 527's and I want them to be white so I was thinking about powder coating. Since the wheel will not be on the tire yet I won't have to pay the extra fee. If I do go this route what color should I buy them before they are powdercoated? Silver?
Thanks.

[ZionsWrath]

Originally Posted by CAMBAM_6

for anything over 50 dollars per wheel is retarted..buy new wheels

Only new wheels I can find for $50 are steelies, lol