I read somewhere out here (can't find it again) that $50 per wheel is an avg price for powder coating... I was recently quoted $150 per wheel (includes ballance and re-mounting)... HUGE discrepancy! Am I getting ripped off?... I'm on OC (So Cal) so it might be a little more expensive than some other areas of the country, but $100 difference seems extreme!

Anyone know of a good, reputable, reasonably priced shop in the OC area? (I thought $150 was okay till I saw $50 a couple of times)...

 

$150 a wheel is high for your simple powder coat job, but not uncommon if the wheels need any special prep or the color you want is out of the ordinary, metalic and so on. On average I've seen and have shelled out anywhere from $50 to $100 to get a rim powder coated. Some shops charge more for larger diameter wheels, if they do not fit in their small ovens and they gotta put them into thier larger ovens. Some wheels also may need to be cleaned via sand blasting and or be dipped into an acid bath. This often adds to the cost. If your wheels are in good condition, clean, with no problems, they you dont have to worry about the heavy duty cleaning charges. Last but not least, I'm from NY and only know of one good shop I trust and have worked with in the area and thats Acme Powder Coating. You could always ship them your wheels, but Im sure you can find someone in your area who can get your wheels powder coated at a reasonable price. This way you wont have to waste $$$ on shipping and wait weeks for them to get back to ya. Oh and lastly, for any local guys, Acme is super fast! They can powder coat your wheels and get them back to you in many cases the same day, worse case two! Unheard of by any standard!

 

Thanks for the info Ducatiguy - the color I'm looking at is metallic, it's like a shimmery gun-metal grey (they call it black chrome)... the wheels are in good condition, one very minor curb rub on one wheel so I don’t think there is much prep work needed... Not sure if they sand blast or what they do to get to get existing finish prepped for powder-coating... They said one-day turn around too. So I guess the color and one day work might be why they charge more than avg?

Does the info I stated justify $150 per wheel? Or should I look around?

 

What shop are you talking too? I called up A&R powder in Anaheim and they quoted me 30 per wheel but that does not include mount and balance.

Ray

 

Just something you may want to ask is that for some metalic or reflective / shiny finishes, they may need to buff down and polish up your wheels prior powder coating. Talk to them and ask what the price includes. If its just a spray and bake process, then yea it may be a little high. Also, the dismount, remount and balance may be included, then again it may extra (depends on the price) but take into consideration an extra $10-$20 per wheel...

 

Wheel America in Stanton... I read someone out here refer to them (for wheel repair) so I went to them to find out about painting... Do you have A&Rs number? Are you familiar with their work?

 

The $150 per wheel includes $20 mount/balance... they said the color I was interested in is a more involved process that normally is $40 more (per wheel) but is giving me the regular $150 price. My understanding is that's the flat price they charge for anything they do whether it's repair, paint, etc. Looks like I might be able to find it cheaper... Thanks for the info.

 

Here's the info: I don't know they're work but i called around and they were the cheapest that offered sandblasting and everything.

A & R Powder Coating Inc
(714) 630-0709

I also heard of Specialized Powder Coating in huntington beach that my buddies tried out for their bikes and was also recommended by a local wheel shop. I haven't called them up yet but i'm going to try them out.
(714) 841-2479

 

Thanks - I appreciate it!

 

I called A&R, they told me I had to get them sand blasted and prepped before I bring them to him...

I'm also finding that some shops take 1-2 weeks to strip and prep then powder coat. Maybe that's why the shop in my origianl post charges so much - they do it in one day. But now I'm leary of a shoddy job. If some places take a week or two how can others do the same thing in one day? This sucks!

 

my $200 powdercoat job turned out like crap, wish I had spent more and got them to do more prep. Or went elsewhere.

I also paid $30 to dismount, and $80 to remount and balance.

$150 per is alot. If they are polishing the lip, doing good prep, masking the lug seats and mating surface, and laying down a clear... then $600 might not be too far fetched. I'd think $400-500 is more in line (with dismount and remount/balance).

 

Thanks for all the feedback... I found a shop that is charging $45 for one color (much more in line with the prices everyone out here has been stating) - I might have them polish the lip and do a darker color on inside edges ($75 per). They don't mount/balance so will have a tire shop do that ($30 per). All together it will be nearly half the cost of what I almost went with originally. Thanks for the advice everyone! I’m glad I asked!

 

BTW, Specialized Powder Coating in HB must be damn good! Tustin Infiniti recommended them too... I called, real nice guy and very informative. Even though they are relatively close, they are so busy they have a one week turn around. I just sold my second vehicle so I can't be without wheels that long. Otherwise I would have went to them.