Powder coating wheels?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
Powder coating wheels?
I've got a set of silver aftermarket Grandsport wheels that I'd like to powdercoat black to look just like the '96 GS wheels. I really don't know very much about powder coating, other than it's baked on and durable.
So I've got a couple questions:
What I'm concerned about is getting that machined lip to look correct, and what about tire mounting? Am I likely to be getting chipped wheels back after the tires are mounted? Any special machine I should look for a place to have to mount them w/out possible damage?
And any suggestions as to who/where could do a set of wheels like that? I'm in Louisville, KY if someone knows anything nearby me, I'm not adverse to shipping them if need be though.
Thanks!
So I've got a couple questions:
What I'm concerned about is getting that machined lip to look correct, and what about tire mounting? Am I likely to be getting chipped wheels back after the tires are mounted? Any special machine I should look for a place to have to mount them w/out possible damage?
And any suggestions as to who/where could do a set of wheels like that? I'm in Louisville, KY if someone knows anything nearby me, I'm not adverse to shipping them if need be though.
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Ks
Any decent shop should be able to do a nice job masking the lip for powder coating. corvette pilot is a sponsor and does powder coating. Not sure if he set up to do wheels. I no longer have my powder coating setup so I plan on doing mine this winter at a friends shop.
Here is a link to some of his work.
Here is a link to some of his work.
Last edited by KCHOTBOAT; Dec 14, 2006 at 02:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Ks
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,971
Likes: 9
From: The reason time exists is so everything doesn't happen at once
I understand you can also do the powder coating yourself, just bak the wheels in an oven. Of course then you'll have to buy something REAL NICE for the wife.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you bake em in your kitchen oven yer gonna be buying her a nice new oven as well as a gift.
An oven used for powder coating can not be used after that for food preparation.
An oven used for powder coating can not be used after that for food preparation.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 16
From: St. Louis, Mo......... 1993 Torch Red w/White Interior...2006-07 Bloomington Gold 2005-ZR1/C4 Gathering, 2001-2012 Funfest
I've got a set of silver aftermarket Grandsport wheels that I'd like to powdercoat black to look just like the '96 GS wheels. I really don't know very much about powder coating, other than it's baked on and durable.
So I've got a couple questions:
What I'm concerned about is getting that machined lip to look correct, and what about tire mounting? Am I likely to be getting chipped wheels back after the tires are mounted? Any special machine I should look for a place to have to mount them w/out possible damage?
And any suggestions as to who/where could do a set of wheels like that? I'm in Louisville, KY if someone knows anything nearby me, I'm not adverse to shipping them if need be though.
Thanks!
So I've got a couple questions:
What I'm concerned about is getting that machined lip to look correct, and what about tire mounting? Am I likely to be getting chipped wheels back after the tires are mounted? Any special machine I should look for a place to have to mount them w/out possible damage?
And any suggestions as to who/where could do a set of wheels like that? I'm in Louisville, KY if someone knows anything nearby me, I'm not adverse to shipping them if need be though.
Thanks!
But, make sure to use the weights that go on the inside of the rim. If they mount them on the lip, it will chip for sure.
Rik
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Ks
You can never use the oven for anything else again like stated. To do it yourself you need a oven, clean dry air, gun and powder that would be the basics. You will need to build a booth or buy one also if you want your parts to look nice. You will need to prep the wheels also. I you are planning on doing more parts it may be worth buying the equipment for you. I had alot of fun doing it and made some money off of it. I gave it up because we moved to a new house and I want to do alot of things to the car. I started with a toaster oven and by the time I sold my stuff I had to small ovens, 4 guns, blasting cabinet tons of over things. There are tons of hoppy powder coating forums and if you want the links I can sent them to you. Powder coating is easier to learn the wet paint, however it still has takes practice and doing your wheels would not be a good place to start right away.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Ks
Depends on the prep for one thing and your area. A friend of mine charges $45.00 a wheel to coat a single stage basic color. He charges $85.00 an hour to blast if needed. A wheel place here in town charges $100.00 a wheel which I feel is way to much for my area.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Olathe Ks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 87
Thanks for all the info guys, I'm interested in those links too.
I'm tempted to pick up a old used oven and try it, but I don't actually have a 220v line laying around the garage I could easily tap into, but I'm sure thats good advice about trying it on some other things first.
Another question, my wheels are painted silver, and I think with maybe a layer of clear on top. They've got alot of brake dust damage to the insides. Would it be better to get them media blasted, or is there a dip or anything better/easier to use to get it down to clean metal rather than media blasting?
And I was worried that the PC seems thick enough that I was afraid masking the machined lip would be tough to do, and to remove. But maybe the thing is to remove any masking before you bake it?
I'm tempted to pick up a old used oven and try it, but I don't actually have a 220v line laying around the garage I could easily tap into, but I'm sure thats good advice about trying it on some other things first.
Another question, my wheels are painted silver, and I think with maybe a layer of clear on top. They've got alot of brake dust damage to the insides. Would it be better to get them media blasted, or is there a dip or anything better/easier to use to get it down to clean metal rather than media blasting?
And I was worried that the PC seems thick enough that I was afraid masking the machined lip would be tough to do, and to remove. But maybe the thing is to remove any masking before you bake it?
Pro
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 588
Likes: 9
From: Tulsa, OK (Husker at heart)
I had my wheels on my 94 powdercoated, cost about $80 a wheel, that was for blasting and coating. Had it done at a shop here in Tulsa. They were able to tape off the rim edge, looked very good, I was pleased with it. As someone already mentioned, when you balance them, you need to have the stick on weights put on. There were no issues mounting the tires, no scuffs or anything.
I'd post a pic if someone tells me how to do that....
Thanks,
-Ian94
I'd post a pic if someone tells me how to do that....
Thanks,
-Ian94
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 854
Likes: 1
From: The burbs of Denver CO
The pc should run around 100-150 for all four. Make sure you have them cleaned and ready to go. The shop I took mine to bead blasted them first, then I polished them, and had them cleared. The tire shop was informed, and took extra care when mounting to not damage the pc, and the weights are on the back. By the way, have them coat the entire wheel, inside, back, etc. That way the coating can't get loose (chemicals work their way under the coating).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
