So I'm considering having my stock 18" wheels powder coated white in lieu of spending spare cash I don't have at the moment on a full set of wheels. I like the white on silver look and I honestly like the factory wheels on the '03 Performance so I'm content with keeping them, and a friend mentioned he can probably get my wheels powder coated for next to nothing. Since I don't plan on actually purchasing wheels for a while, and these already have some curb rash that needs to go bye-bye anyways, I whipped up some quickies in Photoshop to give myself an idea and see what kind of input you guys have.

Stock, as it sits now.


White wheels (looks a little off, but it was a five minute job)


White wheels and dropped, the finished package


In the foreseeable future I do plan on hopefully picking up a set of white TE37's, but I'm pretty picky about my finances so I'm holding the phone for now on them. Just wanted to gather some thought and input before diving on into it.

 

Just wait to get the wheels you want

 

Question is what is the downtime on this for you? Do you have spare wheels/tires to throw on your car if it is your daily driver or will you have it on jackstands in your garage for a day or two?

Also do you have connections with a reputable tire shop to dismount/mount your tires before/after powdercoating? They will probably have to be re-balanced (most shops usually do that to be "safe") and they'll have to be careful with the powdercoated wheel faces so chips aren't a result of re-mounting tires.

What is "next to nothing"? Can it beat just a rattle can base/clear coat job that you can easily touch up if something chips the paint?

I agree with terrasmak but if you're going to do it, do your research.

 

I fully plan on waiting to get the wheels I want, but the condition of the factory wheels is pretty abysmal with the amount of curb rash they have and they are going to be on there for a little while. I'll have ~$200 wrapped up in having them done and twenty or thirty in having them remounted and balanced (and I need front tires anyways, so not a huge deal).

I've got another daily driver so it can sit in the garage on stands for however long need be. Prep and doing things the proper way isn't an issue. The guy at the local tire shop already told me he'll happily pull the tires off for me if I'm going to get them painted or PC'd; I've been doing business there for years and he always gets me taken care of.

And the next to nothing part isn't a reflection of the quality, I've seen the work the shop has done and it's as good as any powdercoating. It just pays to know the right people I s'pose, and the idea was thrown at me since I had mentioned it before. In all I'll have $200 and some change wrapped up in having them done which for what it is, isn't bad. If the factory wheels were perfect, I wouldn't even bother, but they're pretty well scuffed up on all four corners. I've done just about all the research that can be done on the process, which is really why I'd rather PC them for a steal which should hold up at least a little better than cheaping out and rattle canning them and dealing with chipping and cracking down the road, or at least to a higher degree.

 

rent-n-roll

 

for $200??? I personally wouldnt.
Id spend at most $50 and get some quality spray paint and clear.
save the extra money...its painful to do. but once you do get new wheels that you want. you will be happy you saved

 

I wouldnt pc white,and the reason why i say that is because i had my factory
18's done white and in the first 3 weeks the brake dust baked off in the pc,leaving the white finish dull looking not a pure white color.The only way to correct that is to get them re-done again.I thought it was to much of a hassle to keep getting them re-done.

 

I would say the person who did it did a horrible job. That should not happen on pc wheels at all. Seems like they didn't clear coat the rims after powder coating.

My stock wheels are powdercoated gunmetal and I painted my winter wheels white. Loved the white, pain to keep clean, and have to redo them before this winter due to chipping since it looks like I didn't put enough coats. Also, I ruined 1 lip where I got tire shine on it and it stained the section.

 

Powder coating is lot more durable than paint or clear coat, if done right.

In Lognion's Z case, looks like the process was not followed properly.

For Aluminum wheels, temperatures are very important, they need to be very gradual. Its not as simple as throwing the wheels in the oven and baking them. If not done right, they can make the coating peel off quick and make wheels brittle.

In short, its best left to the experts. Ask your friend if he knows the special prep and processes for Al wheels.

 

I wouldn't personally spend that kind of money on powdercoating stock wheels when rattle cans and plasti-dip are actual things that exist. lol. That said, I powdercoated my "baller" wheels and they've held up just fine so far. I would never do white as it's a PITA to keep clean and if you drive your car in anything other than sunny weather and no dust is ever in the air, I guess you're fine. If not, then...welllll...just seems like too much for stock wheels. I'd say spend 50bux to get them refinished and buffed and call it a day. Just my opinion.

 

Did you tan her legs while in PS as well?

 

I've tossed around the idea of rattle canning them but I want to make sure whatever route I go, it doesn't look cheap and like total junk.

Unintentional side effect