powder coating or spray job?

[itfben]

Want to get my wheel refurbished. I though powder coating is the best solution but apparently its not as stronger bond as i thought, i read the other day that someones paint started coming off they wheels a year after they were powder coated.

can anyone shed some light on this please?

I was originally under the impression powder coating was a much stronger, durable method and would therefore resist stone chips better and be more forgiving when being cleaned.

 

[Seatmann]

I've heard that the powder coating's not as tough as paint, apparently it can get manky quite easily with brake dust etc but I'm no expert

 

[rsmith]

I had powder coated BBS rims, the powder coat is still no match for a Kirb and its very hard to fix, I also noticed they started to fade, I won't go this route again.

 

[Captain Cupra]

I've had a set powder coated by The Wheel Specialist.

Personally I thought that the finish was superb I think in terms of durability the powder coat seems to resist stone chips better because it's softer it just makes a little mark rather than chips off, these were my old wheels I had done so you can get an idea finish is really glossy.

Now the bad bit...... Now why is still a mystery but I think the powder coat had something to do with it, I had a slight bump to this wheel in the snow I tried removing it and the locking nut despite being torqued correctly had welded itself the the wheel lug seat we tried everything for 4 hours, it would not budge, the wheel was gash and bent anyway, the culprit I think is powdercoat in the lug holes, I've read also with powder coated wheels and track days wheel nuts can work loose, how true this is I'm not sure? We had to hole saw around the nut and remove the nut after that to get the wheel off!! Not exactly great, trust me I did everything to avoid this I don't give up easily!!

Yuk

As you can see, tried blow torch, cutting a groove in the bolt head, wanging a socket on, specialist nut removal tools! Nada would not move!

So I'm never going power coat again!

Jim

Sent from my IPhone when I should be doing Work!!

 

[Lodey23]

Leon bolts are supposed to be tightened up onto metal, that's why they work loose as they are torqued up onto paint, I had White powdercoated rims on my on 206 and they were a nightmare for staining and pitting with brake dust

 

[arwood]

I think some of you have had a cheaper powder coat only finish. I had mine dipped, sandblasted, done in a black powdercoat base with anthrasite spray paint colour coat, then clear powdercoat. This finish is far superior to any factory finish I have seen, and 2 years on if I clean them up they look like new, apart from one kerb mark , which the guy says he can easily repair. This cost me £55 per wheel. Also, not had any problem with the wheel nuts, but then I dont take the wheels off, and dont go through many tyres.

 

[rsmith]

I think some of you have had a cheaper powder coat only finish. I had mine dipped, sandblasted, done in a black powdercoat base with anthrasite spray paint colour coat, then clear powdercoat. This finish is far superior to any factory finish I have seen, and 2 years on if I clean them up they look like new, apart from one kerb mark , which the guy says he can easily repair. This cost me £55 per wheel. Also, not had any problem with the wheel nuts, but then I dont take the wheels off, and dont go through many tyres.

Mine cost €75 per wheel, not exactly cheap IMO.

To the OP, what exactly do u expect from powder coating.the reason I wouldn't do it again part from previously stated is because I change the colours of my wheels quit often.

I really fail to see the advantages of powder coating on wheels, if anything it limited my options.

 

[Slimy]

Powder coat as a covering is stronger than a paint job, but as arwood says they both need proper preparation to work at their best. I would have no issue with powder coating as long as they did the full works.

I would also cut the bolt seats to make sure it was back to bare metal, to protect against the issues mentioned.

Interestingly, I wasn't aware there was such a thing as a clear powdercoat, I thought powdercoat itself results in a gloss finish?

 

[Slimy]

Mine cost €75 per wheel, not exactly cheap IMO.

To the OP, what exactly do u expect from powder coating.the reason I wouldn't do it again part from previously stated is because I change the colours of my wheels quit often.

I really fail to see the advantages of powder coating on wheels, if anything it limited my options.

Makes sense, it's easier to chop and change a paint job than it is a powder coat. And yes, the options are very limited although they do seem to be improving.

 

[itfben]

Nice little descision here.

rsmith - with my previous Leon's RS4 they were covered in stone chips after a year of owneship. Now to be fair I think the previous own may have done them himself, although it was not a DIY finish. Think he resortated Porsches as a job. Anyway they were ridiculously mint when I bought them. I just thought maybe powder coating would hold up stronger?

Also the wheels on the new LCR are terrible! Paints bubbled and flakibg off everwhere, now its started to flake, u knock a bit of paint and more and more just comes off. Thought powdercoating but just be a better quality method.


Obviously... Not

 

[GlanzaV]

Also the wheels on the new LCR are terrible! Paints bubbled and flakibg off everwhere, now its started to flake, u knock a bit of paint and more and more just comes off. Thought powdercoating but just be a better quality method.

You'll probably find that's due to the heat generated by the Brembos. Front Wheels on mine are seriously needing done, backs are ok (and the spare's never been lifted out the boot )

The process of Powdercoating means the wheel will be cured in a high temp oven for a couple hours, you might find this will affect the integrity of the wheel (especially if it's a replica wheel say!)

Powder coat as a covering is stronger than a paint job

Personally I thought powder coat was actually softer than paint as mentioned above, but was conversely also more durable.

I've painted my wheels in the past, and when the brake dust got to the point I couldn't lift it off, I'd just give them a quick rub down and re-do them. Quite easy.

 

[itfben]

You'll probably find that's due to the heat generated by the Brembos.

interesting point, think I might spacer them out to help air flow into the brakes.

 

[Slimy]

Personally I thought powder coat was actually softer than paint as mentioned above, but was conversely also more durable.

Yes, that's a better way of phrasing it rather than just 'stronger'.

 

[itfben]

Still dont know which is best :S durable does sound like a better concept for wheel paint. Especially next to hot Brembos and the stone chips.

If it helps the arguement i been quote £45 per wheel. Thats shot blasted then powder coated (im going gloss black)

Do you get a better shine with spray paint thoughor can they be equally shinny after Iv polished and waxed the powder coated wheels?

 

[slick]

I think its all down to the company that applies the powdercoat.

I have always powdercoated and never painted, painting just fades quicker, and chips easiler. With Powdercoating, it takes alot more abuse in the face of general road muk than paint can, as its a chemical coating that resists most chemicals and UV wear.
But I think the problem is the alloy you intend to paint or powdercoat. If the wheel is of replica or cheaper range quality, dont powdercoat them, paint them the process of cleaning and powdercoating will make problems for those types of alloys.
If you have OE or high spec (BBS and alike) alloys, powdercoating is perfect for them.
and last of all... they are wheels, they will get dirty and painted or powdercoated they need cleaning and sealing with cleaning products to last.

 

[Captain Cupra]

I think some of you have had a cheaper powder coat only finish. I had mine dipped, sandblasted, done in a black powdercoat base with anthrasite spray paint colour coat, then clear powdercoat. This finish is far superior to any factory finish I have seen, and 2 years on if I clean them up they look like new, apart from one kerb mark , which the guy says he can easily repair. This cost me £55 per wheel. Also, not had any problem with the wheel nuts, but then I dont take the wheels off, and dont go through many tyres.

Mine were £70 per wheel and I had no problems or issues with finish just the stuck wheel nut prob was all! I personally as a finish concept like powder coat it just very quickly bubbles if you damage it so I'm told.


Sent from my IPhone when I should be doing Work!!

 

[h0tr0x]

had a set powder coated on my last car in white and they looked awesome and stayed bright white for ages. the chap who did them said powder coating is a great deal more durable than painting.

 

[GlanzaV]

Mine were £70 per wheel and I had no problems or issues with finish just the stuck wheel nut prob was all! I personally as a finish concept like powder coat it just very quickly bubbles if you damage it so I'm told.

I would think powdercoat would be less prone to bubble than paint?? Paint is a layer added over the wheel (dependant on how you key it in) it's still a layer and when corrosion/water gets under it, it'll travel along undeneath the paint. Compare that to Powdercoat which is bonded by an electric charge and then cured? I've not known anyone I know to have them bubble?

Also Price isn't always proportional to quality. I used to know a guy who's business was to powdercoat radiators and boilers etc. He used to charge us peanuts for engine bits and bobs and wheels, just he took quite a while as he was doing us a favour for beer tokens, always good work though (until he went bust Whoops!)

 

[itfben]

cheers guys Powder Coating sounds like it might be the way if i keep the LCR wheels, and spray paint if i revert to the RS4 reps again.

 

[Slimy]

Compare that to Powdercoat which is bonded by an electric charge and then cured? I've not known anyone I know to have them bubble?

Also Price isn't always proportional to quality. I used to know a guy who's business was to powdercoat radiators and boilers etc. He used to charge us peanuts for engine bits and bobs and wheels, just he took quite a while as he was doing us a favour for beer tokens, always good work though (until he went bust Whoops!)

I wouldn't say 'bonded', the electrical charge is only static to ensure even coverage of the paint. Before it's cured you can simply wipe it off with your hand!

The bubbling can be a problem as it lifts up, but the last time I saw that was on a very old childrens toy, and it took many years to get that bad. It also didn't help that it was steel underneath, the rust of the steel helped to lift the powdercoat. Alloys don't tend to corrode in the same way.