whats up. I just had my factory 18's powdercoated gloss black. The guy at the powdercoat shop told me the didn't have to be sand blasted and they coated right over the factory finish. I got them back on thurs and tried to mount the tire's and the power flaked on one wheel and chiped alitte on another. I have bought them back and they are sandblasting them and re powering them to fix the problem. has anyone else powercoated their wheel's and is sandblasting going to fix the problem? I want to be able to not only mount without a problem but switch tire's if i had too.

also they said i didn't need a clear coat on them and that the powder would hold up well. what do you guy's think.

thanks Ben

 

sandblast, powdercoat, clearcoat is the best way to have a long lasting finish. Get it all done, you will be happy.

 

one more question. i have heard that sandblasting can pit the alloy of the wheels. have you heard of bead blasting where they do it with plastic beads that won't hurt the alloy. what do you think?

 

plastic media blasting is supposed to be better for alloy wheels, but I don't think the pitting would be that big of a deal, especially since you'd be coating the wheel after the blasting anyways. A clear coat over the powdercoat will give it extra protection and a lil more gloss look to it. Really depends how good of a job you want done.

 

as I understand powdercoat is not just painting. It has something to do with bonding between metal and paint. So not blasting the wheel is a big mistake. Looks like guy doesn't know what he is doing. It's like saying you'll drive a car and than sit on back seat. One won't do it if had at least some experience.

 

We just had a guy come in to our Z club and talk about wheel repair and painting. He was from Wheels America - I think. Anyway they bead blast all of the wheels before painting or any refinish for that matter. Yes - it should be done to a clean wheel and clear coating will help preserve the color and make cleaning easier. Also, proper oven temp and time is needed to set the powder paint - otherwise it will crack, flake, ... not last. BTW they give a lifetime warrantee on their work (workmanship & defects). I believe they have a shop in Miami.

 

post pic...i really want to see how they came out..

 

i will but i'm getting them back monday or tuesday next week

 

YEAH

 

I have powdercoated a dozen sets of rims now.....

my personal rims are black powder coat... flat black.. no clear coat...

we sand blast and then powder coat

when we do gloss rims w/ metallic flake like gunmetal or high gloss black with flake.. we sand blast / powdercoat / clear coat...

clear coat isnt as strong as powder coat so the clear coat will chip long before the powder coat...

after over 20000 miles and alot of tracking i have one little pin whole that popped though the powder coat some how on the out side lip of the LMGT4..