I know PC is widely accepted as method of choice for finishing wheels. (here)
I was surprised to see a discussion on another forum on the merits of PC vs. spray painting,
where they seemed to favor spray painting.

In general; (as per the thread)
PC = lower quality finish (not as smooth) but more durable.
Spray paint = Much higher quality finish but less durable.

I was surprised by the finish quality comments.
Your thoughts?????

 

Depends who does the powder coating. I could show you some wheels that were recently PCd black with a pink lip (I know) that look like paint.

Depends on the powder coaters supplies and prep, cheap stuff is obviously crappier than the high quality stuff.

You something powder coated Ian? I have a guy that is really solid.

 

I would definatly agree prep plays a huge part in both cases. I have seen spray paint jobs that look like they were shot from a paint gun, and also seen powdercoat as dry as the deserts, all depends on materials, prep, and knowledge of the user.

 

I had the barrels of my wheels painted but by an auto body shop (good friend of mine) with a pro gun the durability is not like PC I have a few rock chips already but my only concern with PC was its hard to reverse i might want to go back to polished lips one day and with PC I an not sure that would be an option now I can just chemical strip or sand them down. i used to work in a body shop and the prep is huge i have seen a few rattle can jobs look top notch due to exellent prep work, i rattle can most of my stuff and it looks decent but I prep the **** out of everything.

 

Thanks giys, that's pretty much what I was thinking.
The guy doing the job makes all the difference.

Hey Blain, I'm going to do the wheels on the new ride.
Probably not right away though.
I think you posted his info before, but I'll PM you when I'm ready.
Thanks

 

Honestly id stick with painting, i was spectical at first, but how my wheels turned out a i love it. Its been abit over a year and ive driver through winter with them and there isnt 1 rock chip of blemish. Ive driven on some pretty stupid roads

 

is painting alot cheaper than PC?
i was wondering about the price difference

 

Anyone know what method is used by OE or aftermarket mfgs?

 

OE powder coats in most cases. The majority of aftermarket as well but I see lots of companies doing Forged wheels are starting to use paint.


I think PC is cheaper, I had a friend get his wheels PC last year I think he said it cost $500 they stripped and coated them. My wheels were $300 to paint just the barrel and I did all of my own prep work the painter masked them and gave a final clean. So to drop them off get them prepped and painter would likely be over $600 depending on the condition of the wheels ie: curb rash ect ect. I guess every region and shop if different so you would have to get quotes but PC usually they don't do fine sanding due to PC being thicker it will cover flaws better. Also you can lose some fine details on wheels with PC.

Here are some pictures of wheels that originally were painted then PC black and you can see some detail was lost, but in the case of flaws this works to your advantage at hiding things.

They are not mine i think they were KP6767??

This is a pic of the original finish before I powdercoated them:

 

LMAO painting is wayyy cheaper, just do it yourself fooo

i did mine, just takes alot of time, i fixed all the curb rash to, sanded them down a million times, primer, sand, paint, sand, clearcoat sand. You can put on as many coats of each as u want. cost me like 50 dollars

 

For a pro to paint them it will be around $400, for a pro to PC them (well my guy at least) charges $250 for all four wheels.

 

i am a pro

^ u no how much 4 barrels powdercoated would be?

 

what product do u use to clean up all the road grease on the inside of the wheel before you paint it?

 

geerider; probably less because their in no prep on the spokes.

Redpearl, simple green them clean then sand until your hands bleed.

 

i just used a wire brush, and some CLR, did the trick, even if there some left dont worry about it, spray the primer on the inside of the wheel barrel, sand it, and just spray with couple coats of high temp black or the same wheel coating.