Powder coating wheels
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 884
Likes: 256
From: Atlanta, GA
Powder coating wheels
Anyone done it and recommends it? What to look for a good installer?
Is it permanent and can it withstand high pressure washing with chemicals like Sonax wheel cleaner or other wheel cleaners
Thanks
Is it permanent and can it withstand high pressure washing with chemicals like Sonax wheel cleaner or other wheel cleaners
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 3,199
From: Oro Valley Arizona
Just the Facts
The absolute critical issue is the vendor's ability to do it correctly. Powder coating is pretty straightforward, but not so easy to do. I doubt a guy when ask would say 'I am just not very good at it'. Get references and more than one. If you can, go see the job that was done in the flesh. Having said that. It should outlast you.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Love mine, yes indestructible. Here is how you find a good shop.... Call, and if they say we will put you in line when we run the next batch of (color goes here) , you then know it is a great shop that is busy and doing good work.
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Powdercoating is much more durable than paint on wheels. I would get the powdercoating done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
Likes: 1,304
From: Windermere FL
Yes, they strip off all the paint then powder coat them.
I had mine powder-coated for $100/wheel. Took a couple days. I left the car up on jack-stands. Has held up very well. Did it since the fine GM paint was peeling and pitted from the brake dust at 1k miles on the clock and now have 10k.
Just don't go to Discount Tire to have the tires removed and remounted. They charged me $250 for the dismount/mount. And the ripped the bead on one tire and cut the sidewall on anther and they would not take responsibility for it!
I had mine powder-coated for $100/wheel. Took a couple days. I left the car up on jack-stands. Has held up very well. Did it since the fine GM paint was peeling and pitted from the brake dust at 1k miles on the clock and now have 10k.
Just don't go to Discount Tire to have the tires removed and remounted. They charged me $250 for the dismount/mount. And the ripped the bead on one tire and cut the sidewall on anther and they would not take responsibility for it!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: SE WI
Last edited by Zjoe6; Nov 5, 2019 at 01:06 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 1,355
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From: St. Louis
I was recently shopping for aftermarket wheels for my C7. I asked multiple places if their wheels were powder coated or just painted. They all told me the same thing - good aluminum wheels are painted and clear coated - never powder coated. So of course I had to ask why. The answer is that the baking process for powder coat takes the tempering out of the aluminum and makes the wheel weak. Something to think about before having your nice wheels tossed in an oven.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,726
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From: Castro Valley State of Insanity
The average temperature used to bake the finish on a powder coated object is in the 350 to 375 degree range for approximately 15 minutes max. I doubt that temperature is high enough to compromise the integrity of aluminum. I have seen dedicated race vehicles with powder coated chassis, no way would that be permitted if the baking process in any way was detrimental to the strength of the metal. Sounds more like paint and clear is a cheaper and at the same time far less durable finish.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 6,517
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From: Windermere FL
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 884
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From: Atlanta, GA
