paint or powdercoat?

zinczx3 · 10-30-2012, 07:47 AM

I ran across a set of svt euro wheels for my "05 ZX3 and I cant decide if I want to paint them or take them to get powdercoated. I know powdercoating them would be more durable but is it more costly?
Thanks for any input

matmatician · 10-30-2012, 10:40 AM

I think the average going rate for powder coating is around $50/wheel. You may be able to find it higher or lower, but that's just what I always anticipate paying. So keep that in mind when you're buying wheels. It may make more sense to get wheels you like the color of to begin with!

md11mx · 10-30-2012, 11:22 AM

Powder coat is more durable.

***Mr.Bergner*** · 10-30-2012, 02:39 PM

You'll also need to have them media blasted first so the powder can adhere to bare metal, if you want it done properly that is. And that might double the price.

focusmaniaczx3 · 10-30-2012, 04:30 PM

im thinking about making my own powder coater out of an old oven lol

Geezer · 10-30-2012, 09:32 PM

Powder coating is more durable if the correct powder is used. You want to make sure an acrylic based powder is used. As an example, I know a shop (not anywhere near you) that does it for $45.00 for 15" wheel, 50.00 for a 16" and 55.00 for 17", etc (in stock colors). It's not cheap but the the results are usually worth it.

Kevastator · 10-31-2012, 02:32 PM

Not to take over the thread, but I have a question that pertains to the subject.

A little while back I went to have my aluminum wheels powdercoated, and the guy at the local place advised me not to since they were aluminum. He said that the heat from the oven could make them fracture under pressure

Anyone know if this is true?

If it's not true, than powdercoating would definitely worth it. But if it puts the wheels at risk, then idk

zinczx3 · 11-01-2012, 01:23 PM

In response to matmatician, with the rough estimate of $200 to get these wheels powder coated I will still have come out cheaper than buying them new and the fact that they are the color I want, So I consider that a win win. With my dad and I owning a restoration shop it would be nothing to put in a little prep time and paint them but with the feedback I think Im leaning towards powdercaoting. Thanks everyone. As for whether or not they will fracture, then I would also take in the variable of what kind of use you plan to use the wheels for. With the temperature normally around 400 degrees F when curing and the melting point of aluminum at 1220 degrees F then the curing process will change the molcule structure of the wheels. Now for me my car is just a daily driver and i have no plans of using it for auto cross or anything of the such so im not to worried about it.