Powdercoating, or paint?

[Swifty1638]

First off, I DID use the search button, to find a few threads started on this topic, both my Brian, and by Brandon. However, they both don't answer what I'm after. I see a few places that powdercoat (doesn't list price per wheel though), but I'm asking which would be cheaper/yield the best bang-for my buck? I can either a)powdercoat black, or b) paint the wheels black with that dupont wheel color paint found at your local checker, or whatever else. How much is it usually to powdercoat wheels? They are 17 x 7.5 Kosei K1's, btw.

-A. Swift

[HiImBrian]

Most places charge about $75 a wheel. It's deffinatly cheaper to paint em. Although, your results will be significantly better if you powdercoat. The paint will chip off after a while.

[A//// Guy]

I painted my rims and this is how they turned out: http://dsmstyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3785&highlight=shoes

It was ALOT of work if the rims need cleanup. Powder coating will last alot longer, that is the benefit with going that route, but its alot more expensive and you will have to strip the wheels.

[bluntedelvis]

I'd save the money and go with the Powdercoating. It will last a hell of alot longer and the end result will look really nice. I havent had any rim's powered but I have had the Valve cover powered, best decision EVER.

[Halon]

I agree powder coating will look much better. But we did paint my buddies wheels with the dupont wheel paint. We just sanded the wheels down, applied a couple light coats of some cheap primer, and applied a bunch of light coats of the paint. They've lasted maybe 5 months so far and still look fine, but the paint doesn't hide small imperfections as well as powder would.

[Swifty1638]

Well, being as the wheels are BRAND new from tirerack, I doubt there's imperfections in them. Their current color is white. I figure I'll sand it down to give the primer/paint something to adhere to, then shoot it with the basecoat/clearcoat-about 4-5 coats each. Then wait a while for tires to get in stock (I'm still deciding on which to run).

-A. Swift

[DSM_421]

Do it one time, the right way and just powder them.

[rustygalant]

if you want them powder coated they have to be sandblasted/stripped of all paint/coatings...which adds cost to this project (either time or money)...if you want black go to a place that does large batches at a time of black (like place that does bulk industrial jobs of hundreds of parts) and ask to have them do your wheels (so have them stripped and ready) while they do of one of their batches....its worth a shot to save a bunch of money and they could do your wheels free if they really wanted to be nice! only drawback is you might not get your wheels back as quickly!


call around. im sure if you mention this your bound to find someone that will ease up the price! otherwise the earlier figure was right one about 60-80$ a wheel from what ive been quoted!

[AJ]

Call a few cycle/bike shops about other locations for wheels and such. I've heard there are more and more places in the cities now with the ability to do one off colors of wheels, bike frames, and other larger parts for a very inexpensive price compare to what it use to be.

[tpunx99GSX]

Why would you paint Brand New wheels? Why didnt you just look around for the same wheels in the color you wanted at the time of purchase?
I painted my GSX rims black and left the lip silver/aluminum. It turned out really nice, i still have them, they just have a couple chips in them but you can always touch up as needed. Ive had them this way for almost 2 years now.