Painting vs. Powder Coating

[Xtra Big Kahuna]

So I am looking at getting my wheels refinished just so they look good over winter until I get new wheels and I was wondering what would be better, to paint them or powder coating them.

No I know that in most cases powder coating them is far superior to paint due to its durability but I am looking for a gloss white finish and the white finishes I have seen that come from powder coating aren't very impressive. So I am just wondering if that is because I just haven't seen good examples or if powder coating really isn't superior to paint when dealing with gloss finishes.

Also, if painting is better for what I am trying to achieve then what is the best way to do it? My wheels are currently powder coated black so I would need to strip them and then paint them but I am not sure what would be the best way to go about all of that.

[oprahhwinfreyy]

If you paint them and want them real glossy just put some clear coat on them. I'm currently waiting on steel wheels to dry right now. Two tone gloss black and gloss white painted with engine enamel.

[Bojangles]

I like to paint my wheels as its ALOT cheaper and if done right can look the same. It just takes more prep work and patience to get it perfect!

[Crankey]

I would not bother striping the powder. just scuff it up for primer. I'd use white primer.
then paint, cheap way to go is duplicolor cans. sand between coats and do like 3 coats. final coat wet sand with very fine wet dry like 1500 grit and then hand polish with something like Flitz creme polish.

this is the basic process I used with my wheels but I was using duplicolor black caliper paint. they came out nice. the paint has been durable and still glossy. not hard to re polish with more Flitz.

it's very hard to get a good gloss with any paint right out of the gun or can. best thing is fine grit sanding to flatten out the orange peel and get rid of any dust specks and then hand polish.

[Crankey]

one reason I wouldn't go with powder is if you sell, and the buyer dosn't like the color you choose...it's a royal PITA to strip the powder. it's also much easier to fix a scratch in paint then powder.

[Xtra Big Kahuna]

Hmmm with what you guys have been saying I am definitely thinking about just painting them. Especially since I am trying to get some new wheels and thinking about selling these.

Thanks for your help.

Just one other question, I saw that one person recommended Duplicolor paints and I was just wondering if anyone had other suggestions on what type of paint to use.

[Ollie]

Rustoleum is the only aerosol I'll use. The rest suck ass IMO.


Lately I've been using the $16 gravity gun from HF and it works suprisingly great.

[parttimeprojectionist]

crazy before reading the other comments i would have said powdercoat is the way to go but now id say just paint em, powdercoating is expensive as shit anyways, and OP your right, im almost always disapointed with the way the powdercoat turns out.

[1badg35]

powdercoating is an art, and it sounds like people are not doing it correctly.

we have been doing it for years, and would never paint again.... powder when done properly can be far smoother than paint. and oh yeah not to mention a hell of a lot stronger.

[cereal black]

Those look really nice!

[G535]

Opened this thread to write that powdercoating is way more durable but doesnt look as nice as real paint.

The RS posted convinced me that every single powdercoating work ive seen so far wasnt done properly.

[Anderson Auto]

What about plasti-dip?

[electricalbox]

powdercoating is an art, and it sounds like people are not doing it correctly.

we have been doing it for years, and would never paint again.... powder when done properly can be far smoother than paint. and oh yeah not to mention a hell of a lot stronger.

100% agree. I used to powdercoat for fun with an oven off of Craigslist. It literally was an art, the part metal temp, the duration of baking, the many variants of powder, etc.

OP if you can afford powder, the wheels are good enough for it, and have a good place to do it there is no reason to paint. If you are doing it on a budget, don't care if there are slight imperfections, or just want a DIY paint is great.

[Xtra Big Kahuna]

Thanks for all the insight guys. I think what I am going to do with these wheels is paint them since I am just looking for a quick change before I order a new set of wheels.

[electricalbox]

Thanks for all the insight guys. I think what I am going to do with these wheels is paint them since I am just looking for a quick change before I order a new set of wheels.

Yeah definitely just buy some sand paper, primer, paint and clear. DIY and cheap FTW!