Thread: Now I'm told not to powdercoat my wheels.....

my wheels were powdercoated matte black in the center about a year ago, and they are looking worse every time I wash my car. The black is turning into an ashy color and stains real easy. I went to the powdercoating shop today and was told that the flat black powdercoat isn't uv protected and that's why my wheels look horrible! They said that they always recommend going with a little bit of a sheen on flat black if the part is going to be outside. So damn annoying, that nobody mentioned this when my truck was first done!! I think I'm going to have the center of the wheel just painted over the powdercoat to match my truck and not even mess with powdercoat for now.

I have never had an issue with flat color powdercoat. I would look into a different company.

^
Agreed.

I had a painted set of wheels on my CLS and as long as the shop takes the proper steps in prep work you should have zero issues.

Do yourself and the body shop who is going to paint them a favor and bring them to the powdercoater and tell him to strip them back down for free since they messed up.. Then take them to be painted or powdercoated elsewhere

The problem that I'm having is that the shop that painted my truck and had my wheels powdercoated is out of business now. I don't know who did my wheels originally. I use a Powdercoating shop for my business, and when I went to the shop they told me the wrong powdercoat was used and that is why I'm having the problems. I'm pretty much SOL, and will have to come out of pocket. Sux....

Originally Posted by Padholdr

The problem that I'm having is that the shop that painted my truck and had my wheels powdercoated is out of business now. I don't know who did my wheels originally. I use a Powdercoating shop for my business, and when I went to the shop they told me the wrong powdercoat was used and that is why I'm having the problems. I'm pretty much SOL, and will have to come out of pocket. Sux....

It's more about the clear coat than the powder coat. That is, if any clear was applied. We have no problems with wheels that are powder coated, as long as we do some buffing and polishing, and then apply a very high-quality clear (like BASF Glasurit). It takes 30 days to 100% fully cure, but then it's a lifetime finish.

Originally Posted by ChrisB@HessMotorsports

It's more about the clear coat than the powder coat. That is, if any clear was applied. We have no problems with wheels that are powder coated, as long as we do some buffing and polishing, and then apply a very high-quality clear (like BASF Glasurit). It takes 30 days to 100% fully cure, but then it's a lifetime finish.

Good point from Chris, from my experience powder coating without a clear coat finish will not last even one decent wheel cleaning with the proper cleaning supplies

My entire paint was clear coated with a special matte clear, but is there powdercoat matte clear also?

Originally Posted by Padholdr

My entire paint was clear coated with a special matte clear, but is there powdercoat matte clear also?

There are quite a few variations in clear coat, plus all the variables of how it is applied. To get wheels done properly, the whole system from prep to final clear needs to be worked out. We have an expert painter who is highly skilled and trained in this area, which is why wheel companies seek our advice on such matters. There are matte clear coats available, but the entire powder and paint system needs to be addressed before just recommending a clear.