RyanMuller
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What are everyone's thoughts. Is powder coating worth the extra money? Heard it chips more easily, is it true?
Painted or Powder Coated Wheels
- Thread starter RyanMuller
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RyanMuller
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The rims
Flyinspanner
MB Enthusiast
Powder coating is more durable, but can be damaged if you curb the wheels.
Can be expensive, they cannot powdercoat any plastic centrecaps, - you would have to spray them with nearest colour spray can.
You can get some lovely finishes such as smoked chrome.
Paint easier to touch in, and cheaper.
Finish probably not quite as good if you are doing it with rattle cans.
Can be expensive, they cannot powdercoat any plastic centrecaps, - you would have to spray them with nearest colour spray can.
You can get some lovely finishes such as smoked chrome.
Paint easier to touch in, and cheaper.
Finish probably not quite as good if you are doing it with rattle cans.
Chrishazle
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Beware the big centre hole getting too much paint or powder coat on it - last August I had to get the wheels off my 968 for the first time since getting them refurbed 4 years ago, took a 4x2 and club hammer after the wheel bolts were out! Had to Dremmel and flap wheel the main hole to sort it. 968 wheels were painted, I haven't yet tried removing the newly (last July) powder coated rims from the MB as I haven't needed to fit my winter wheels.
Pondman
Active Member
Ditto, I've had the same problem with a set of alloys that were powder coated, but personally, I prefer powder coat. It is thicker and more stone chip proof. It also resists alloy corrosion better too
deanflowers
Active Member
I would say a painted wheel is a better finish if done properly and there will be a wider range of colours.
Powder coat is more durable but some places do them and you get a bit of orange peel.
I guess though you get what you pay for.
Powder coat is more durable but some places do them and you get a bit of orange peel.
I guess though you get what you pay for.
ea666
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I'm currently having my alloys completed refurbished. Chemical cleaned, stripped back to metal, imperfections repaired, powder coated and then having the outter lip diamond cut.
Will post some pictures of the results.
Will post some pictures of the results.
Pondman
Active Member
It's a good system, I had that done to a set of mine to create a unique look on a different vehicle.
m5anj
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How is your refurb coming along ea666? I'm really keen to see the results, my wheels need doing, but I'm torn between paint or powder coat????
I'm looking for the smoothest overall finish. I thought powder coat would have been the best solution, but not sure now
Blue Moon
Active Member
We run a business that includes wheel refurbishment. I am assuming that the OP was enquiring about the pro's and con's of professional wheel refurbishment, and not comparing powder coating to rattle cans 
Whilst there is little or no difference to the finish between properly applied wet or powder finishes, there are differences. Not least a much wider range of colour finishes in wet finish compared to powder coating. I know we can replicate almost any colour finish, including Chrome effects, with wet paint. Powder coating is more 'day to day' durable due to it's 'porcelain' like finish, but once you scuff a rim or clout a kerb, it will chip lumps out rather than 'graze' the wheel if it's been painted.
Refurb wise, we much prefer to repair painted wheels as the prep is easier to get right, making for a better repair. With powder coating, in many instances the old powder coating has not been stripped off so as to start from a bare wheel, so when repairing wheels and sanding out damage, it can be a bit like rings on a tree seeing all the different layers of powder coating feathering back.
We don't do powder coating on wheels, so you could say we would prefer wet finishes anyway, but I have yet to find a wheel or colour we couldn't do in a standard wet finish at least comparable in finish to powder coating.
Sadly, there's no "right or wrong" answer, as you can just as easily get a poor wet paint finish as you could get a good powder coat finish. It's all down to the skill and ability of whoever you choose to do your work for you. HTH
Whilst there is little or no difference to the finish between properly applied wet or powder finishes, there are differences. Not least a much wider range of colour finishes in wet finish compared to powder coating. I know we can replicate almost any colour finish, including Chrome effects, with wet paint. Powder coating is more 'day to day' durable due to it's 'porcelain' like finish, but once you scuff a rim or clout a kerb, it will chip lumps out rather than 'graze' the wheel if it's been painted.
Refurb wise, we much prefer to repair painted wheels as the prep is easier to get right, making for a better repair. With powder coating, in many instances the old powder coating has not been stripped off so as to start from a bare wheel, so when repairing wheels and sanding out damage, it can be a bit like rings on a tree seeing all the different layers of powder coating feathering back.
We don't do powder coating on wheels, so you could say we would prefer wet finishes anyway, but I have yet to find a wheel or colour we couldn't do in a standard wet finish at least comparable in finish to powder coating.
Sadly, there's no "right or wrong" answer, as you can just as easily get a poor wet paint finish as you could get a good powder coat finish. It's all down to the skill and ability of whoever you choose to do your work for you. HTH
oldguy57
MB Enthusiast
Like painting, powder coating results depend on who is doing the job. I have seen some terrible powder coated finishes . An expert job including acid dipping etch priming and then powder coating with a possible clear coat on top can produce really nice results. Youngest offspring just had 18" rims dipped and powder coated plain white no repairs needed at £40 each wheel superb job so not expensive. Supplier should know which areas to mask off to prevent fitment problems. Purely a matter of choice I guess.
lalabadmaash
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I was in the same dilemma recently.
In the end, i went with powder coating. I was told its more durable than the painted option.
The wheel have been brazed (by the old man, not me - honest) and its just a scuff. No chunks have chipped off.
I have another set in for refurb at the moment and this time, ive decided to go for the diamond cut finish (was only £20 more per wheel) so will see how they turn out. Should be done by the weekend
In the end, i went with powder coating. I was told its more durable than the painted option.
The wheel have been brazed (by the old man, not me - honest) and its just a scuff. No chunks have chipped off.
I have another set in for refurb at the moment and this time, ive decided to go for the diamond cut finish (was only £20 more per wheel) so will see how they turn out. Should be done by the weekend
ea666
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I've had mine completely refurbished which included the inner powder coated and the lip diamond polished.
Really happy with the results and have since coated them with Gteching C5 wheel nano coating.
The power coating also matches the original new centre caps.
Really happy with the results and have since coated them with Gteching C5 wheel nano coating.
The power coating also matches the original new centre caps.
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m5anj
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I've had mine completely refurbished which included the inner powder coated and the lip diamond polished.
Really happy with the results and have since coated them with Gteching C5 wheel nano coating.
The power coating also matches the original new centre caps.
Just to confirm ea666, you went for the full powder coat option inside and out, plus a diamond cut rim?
Any chance you could take a close up of one of the spokes? I am keen to see if any orange peeling exists. If not, powder coating is a real option for my AMG IIIs!
ea666
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Just to confirm ea666, you went for the full powder coat option inside and out, plus a diamond cut rim?
Any chance you could take a close up of one of the spokes? I am keen to see if any orange peeling exists. If not, powder coating is a real option for my AMG IIIs!
Yes so my alloys were fully striped to the metal using various processes, then primed and powder coated. I had the guys then diamond cut the outter lip to bring them back to the factory finish.
I'll up load close ups of the alloys when i'm home.
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ea666
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Just to confirm ea666, you went for the full powder coat option inside and out, plus a diamond cut rim?
Any chance you could take a close up of one of the spokes? I am keen to see if any orange peeling exists. If not, powder coating is a real option for my AMG IIIs!
Pics as promised
