Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

davepl · 12-07-2015, 09:01 PM

I have everything (except the color coat) I would need to paint my wheels with PPG Deltron, as I did a bunch of the blue stuff on my truck already.

I was planning to get the wheels powdercoated, but a few people on the pricing thread said they -prefer- paint, and I'm not sure why that is, so....

You certainly get a wider selection of colors in paint, and a properly prep'd surface with DP90LF is a darn tough coating, but powdercoating seems make for wheels, which see rocks thrown around and generally live in an "exposed" area.

The question, then (cost aside): Paint or powdercoat?

Sicklajoie · 12-07-2015, 09:28 PM

To me, powdercoating wheels is a no-brainer, if you want them to hold up well.
My wheels look the same as they did when I had them done 5 years and over 25,000 miles ago.

EARNHARDT#3 · 12-07-2015, 09:34 PM

Everyone thinks powder coating is so superior to paint. It's really not. I worked at one of the best wheel repair facilities in the US for a few years. www.wheelcollision.com And guess what...most of the finishes they put on wheels is base coat clear coat not powder.

Sicklajoie · 12-07-2015, 09:42 PM

Also powdercoated my daily driver wheels a metallic silver 6 years ago and this is what they look like with over 100K miles

Spartan · 12-07-2015, 10:43 PM

A guy told me once powder couldn't be touched up.
I asked for a Baggie of the color and now when i get curb rash I mix a little bit of the powder with clear fingernail polish. Works pretty ok as a touch up. Other than that its been 5 years.

I have painted rims on my stocker. Five years too. So far IMHO they are neck and neck. Sorry I'm not much help. I like them both.

**jocko** · 12-08-2015, 12:16 AM

I cast my vote
for powder coat
MUCH more durability in my experience with it. Stands up to hub cap off/on much better than paint and stays looking new (and shiny) for a long, long time.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 12-08-2015, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EARNHARDT#3

Everyone thinks powder coating is so superior to paint. It's really not. I worked at one of the best wheel repair facilities in the US for a few years. www.wheelcollision.com And guess what...most of the finishes they put on wheels is base coat clear coat not powder.

I clicked on the link and couldn't seem to go any further. The system works fine, she's just pretty.

Foot Stomper · 12-08-2015, 12:55 AM

My vote goes to paint because:

it's shinier
it's repairable
has infinite color choices
is far more affordable

12-07-2015, 09:01 PM	#1
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,334	Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? I have everything (except the color coat) I would need to paint my wheels with PPG Deltron, as I did a bunch of the blue stuff on my truck already. I was planning to get the wheels powdercoated, but a few people on the pricing thread said they -prefer- paint, and I'm not sure why that is, so.... You certainly get a wider selection of colors in paint, and a properly prep'd surface with DP90LF is a darn tough coating, but powdercoating seems make for wheels, which see rocks thrown around and generally live in an "exposed" area. The question, then (cost aside): Paint or powdercoat? __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

12-07-2015, 09:28 PM	#2
Sicklajoie The Niner Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Broad Brook, CT Posts: 2,511	Re: Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? To me, powdercoating wheels is a no-brainer, if you want them to hold up well. My wheels look the same as they did when I had them done 5 years and over 25,000 miles ago. __________________ "A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/

12-07-2015, 09:42 PM	#4
Sicklajoie The Niner Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Broad Brook, CT Posts: 2,511	Re: Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? Also powdercoated my daily driver wheels a metallic silver 6 years ago and this is what they look like with over 100K miles Attached Images __________________ "A good racer is one whose head is in communication with his balls." - Richie Evans 1970 C/20 - 402/TH400/3.54s - 74K miles 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 - Wheatland Yellow Niner Progression Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=697183 Classic Trucks article: https://www.motortrend.com/features/...et-c20-driven/

12-07-2015, 10:43 PM	#5
Spartan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Backwoods, OR Posts: 888	Re: Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? A guy told me once powder couldn't be touched up. I asked for a Baggie of the color and now when i get curb rash I mix a little bit of the powder with clear fingernail polish. Works pretty ok as a touch up. Other than that its been 5 years. I have painted rims on my stocker. Five years too. So far IMHO they are neck and neck. Sorry I'm not much help. I like them both. __________________ '69 K20 350/4 speed/Rockwell/D44/HO52. "orange rhymes with door hinge"

12-08-2015, 12:16 AM	#6
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,994	Re: Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? I cast my vote for powder coat MUCH more durability in my experience with it. Stands up to hub cap off/on much better than paint and stays looking new (and shiny) for a long, long time.

12-07-2015, 09:34 PM	#3
EARNHARDT#3 Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: PA Posts: 1,417	Re: Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? Everyone thinks powder coating is so superior to paint. It's really not. I worked at one of the best wheel repair facilities in the US for a few years. www.wheelcollision.com And guess what...most of the finishes they put on wheels is base coat clear coat not powder. __________________ 1967 C10, LWB, 250, Powerglide, PS, PB, 3/4 STATIC DROP

12-08-2015, 12:55 AM	#8
Foot Stomper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 1,252	Re: Wheels - Paint or Powdercoat? My vote goes to paint because: it's shinier it's repairable has infinite color choices is far more affordable __________________ So when is this "Old enough to know better" supposed to kick in? My 1959 GMC build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=686989



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