Wheels / Tires: Powder coating rims? thoughts requested

[studefan]

I am thinking about powder coating my stock steel 5 inch disc brake wheels for the 64 HT. Does anyone have any experience with powder coating rims? Do they flex too much and crack? Can weights be added along the edge without causing coating problems? Can the tires be mounted without damaging the edges? Any thoughts on the pros and cons are appreciated. Thanks

[rockne10]

When I was in charge of fleet, Service Tire Truck Center sand blasts and powder coated my fleet 19.5 wheels for $20. The finish is probably better than any paint. That said, mounting and installing weights can't be accomplished without a scratch.
Can you sandblast, prime and paint for less?

http://www.shopsttc.com/

[48skyliner]

I have used powder coat on both auto and motorcycle wheels, alloy and steel. It is much more durable than most paint finishes. But I have also had good luck with painted wheels on cars that are primarily fair weather use, and mostly on paved roads. I get wheels done with powder coat for about $50 each. If you want to paint them, plan on quite a bit of work in the preparation if you want to get a durable finish, maybe an epoxy primer to get good adhesion.

The car pictured here I painted in 1997, painted over the original finish, epoxy primer, lacquer with lacquer clear coat. The wheels the same except I used a urethane clearcoat for better chip resistance. Don't have a closeup photo of the wheel, but I have not seen a single chip on the wheels after 40,000 miles.

[PackardV8]

I powdercoated the two-piece 16" wheels on my '55 E12 and they've been good for fifteen years now.

jack vines

[ddub]

I have had powder coated wheels on my Champ for 8 or 10 years with no problems. Still look great.

[DWBookout]

While restoring my 1950 Champion sedan I found the cost of sand blasting, priming and painting was going to be significantly more expensive than powder coating. It can be more difficult to find an exact match on color but the results are almost bullet proof.

[Mike Van Veghten]

I had the wheels for my Subruban (16") powder coated black several years ago. No problems to report, have heald up well.
As in most anything, preperation is the key. Sand blasted, very clean (no sand blast dust) and dry.

Mike

[sweetolbob]

Go to a powder coater that you know has positive experience doing wheels. Around here there have been a few places that have branched out into doing coating for the Vox Populi and we see mixed results. They get it right with time but don't be part of the learning curve.

Bob

[DEEPNHOCK]

I dunno...
I found that powder coated wheels chip easier (maybe chip harder), and are harder to fix the chips when they do chip.
Example: Wheel weights.
Changed tires one time and the tire shop had to add weights to the outside.
The removal of the old weights chipped out the powder coat and it was a pita to repair and match the thickness/color.
But the painted wheels I have have been touched up with regular paint ans it blends very well.
Nitpicky, I know...

[Colgate Studebaker]

On my brothers Avanti the powder coating has worked well, but we have not changed wheel weights or tires yet. I know if the powder coating chips or scratches through, it is a pita to repair. Costs will probably be close either way, if you do a thorough job. I think it will depend on your planned use over time. Best of luck, Bill Van Alstyne

[53commander]

You can use stick on wheel weights instead so you wont have to worry about chips and they are stuck to the inside of the rim so you wont see any weights at all.

[ralt12]

+1 on the stick -on wheel weights, got 'em on all my wheels with no problems over the last 10+ years

[DEEPNHOCK]

If you really want to do something wild with your wheels.....

[ralt12]

If you really want to do something wild with your wheels.....

Slick, very cool.