Have you been thinking of powder coating your wheels and you are interested in the cost to powder coat wheels? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic where we will learn all about powder coating and also the costs involved in this process.
- Powder Coating?
- Versus Regular Paint
- How Long It Lasts?
- Prep Work
- The Process
- Pros & Cons
- Cost
- Conclusion
- F.A.Q
Having a problem like this can be a really frustrating thing to deal with. Your mind is probably going two ways, whether to repaint the wheels or powder coat them. Which will be the better option? And frankly, I totally understand your troubles.
If you were asking me a few years ago I would definitely have told you that you should powder coat the wheels. But if you are asking me now, I would tell you to powder coat your wheels. So, why is this the case? Is this powder coating such a game-changer when it comes to changing the color of your wheels? Well, more on that we are going to cover in this article.
But first, we will learn what are powder coat wheels. Then we will compare the powder coating vs regular paint and we will learn more about how long powder coat last and if can any type of wheel can be powder coated. Later on, we will learn the pros and cons of powder coating and the cost to powder coat wheels. So, if you want to learn more about this, follow along.
What Are Powder Coat Wheels?
Now before we dive into more complex topics and learn more about what is the cost to powder coat wheels, let’s start with some of the basics and learn more about what is this process all about and how it is done. Knowing this will help you out understand the basics when it comes to powder coating and learn if you should powder coat your wheels or not. So, let’s get into this.
Even though powder coating is trending right now inside the car community as a new way to paint wheels. This process was invented in 1945 by a scientist named Daniel Gustin. He basically patented this process.
But it passed more than 80 years until this method become really popular as it is now. So, what is powder coating in general?
Well, powder coating as we mentioned is a method of applying paint to a surface. This paint is not as liquid in form as most automotive paints are but actually, it is in the form of dry powder.
This dry powder is sprayed on a surface and then this powder sticks to it because it is applied electrostatically. Once the powder is applied, it needs to go under something that is called a curing process.
For the powder coat to cure, it needs to be exposed to extreme heat or under UV light. These places where the powder coating is curing are also known as ovens. The powder-coated components basically stay there for an hour or so.
Depending much on the coat and also its curing time. But what is the cost to powder coat wheels? Well, we will get to that. Let’s first learn how this powder coating is comparable to regular car paint.
Painting Wheels VS Powder Coating Wheels
Now let’s compare painting vs powder coating. This is another really important topic to cover before we dive into the cost to powder coat wheels. In this case, you will learn what better fits your bill when it comes to painting your wheels and achieving the desired effect.
As we mentioned previously, powder coating is a simple process that does not involve a lot of steps. First, you need to prep the material as with every other type of paint and then you can apply the powder coating on this surface.
The powder is dry and applied with a special powder coating spray gun. This spray gun is really important when it comes to applying this coating because he does all the magic. The gun sprays the coating evenly at a pressure between 10 and 30 psi.
This is a special spray gun that comes along with a special powder coating system that you switch on and off to activate the electrostatic process and allow the powder to stick to the metal. This tool costs about $120.
And when compared to regular paint, you don’t have to purchase these fancy machines to apply the paint on the surface. You only need a spray gun and an air compressor. Spray guns are fairly cheap.
But the downside when it comes to using a spray gun is that this type of painting requires a ton more skill and it is really difficult to nail from the first try.
Not to forget that the curing process of paint could last up to a couple of days. Still, we talk about how this job is done professionally like in a shop. But what is the cost to powder coat wheels? More on that in a bit.
How Long Does Powder Coating Last?
Let’s say that you decided to pay the cost to powder coat wheels and powder coat the wheels of your car. But, you still want to inform yourself on how long this type of coating last, right? Still, you need something that will offer you longevity in the long run and make you not regret spending your money on it. So, how long does powder coat lasts?
Well, on average this type of coating lasts up to 20 years with no problem. It could last even longer if you maintain it properly. And by proper maintenance, we mean that you need to avoid chipping and another type of damage that could be done to the wheel.
Because if you damage the powder coating layer, you will strip the paint, and fixing this wheel can be really difficult since it will require a complete refinish.
In comparison to this, fixing regular paint can be a rather easy process than fixing damaged powder coating on the vehicle.
Besides that, there are no big issues with the longevity of this type of coating on your vehicle. This is why you should not be too worried when looking to learn the cost to powder coat wheels. But have you asked yourself what type of wheel can be powder coated? Let’s explain more about that next.
Can Any Type Of Wheels Be Powder Coated?
Another question that you are probably asking when you are looking for the cost to powder coat wheels is if can any type of wheel be powder coated?
If this is the thing that bothers you then yes, you can powder coat absolutely any material. But won’t this heat from the baking process causes aluminum or other material to melt? Well, actually no.
Aluminum can withstand the heat from the powder coating process since this is not such a big heat after all. So, you shouldn’t worry that your wheels will be damaged.
You can even powder coat carbon wheels if you want. But won’t the carbon get damaged from this heat? Well, the baking process for non-metal materials is a bit different. For these composites, the curing process is made possible by using UV lights.
UV lights are used to cure these components that are rather fragile when it comes to high temperatures. So, if you want to powder coat carbon, you should not worry at all. But understandably, this is more expensive than regular baking but not by a big margin.
So, you shouldn’t be that alerted that this will raise the cost to powder coat wheels quite significantly.
Prep Work Involved Before Powder Coating Wheels
Now let’s cover another interesting topic when it comes to understanding the cost to powder coat wheels and that is the prep work that is involved in powder coating wheels. What prep do you need to perform in order so the powder coating sticks the right way?
Well, when it comes to powder coating, prepping the wheels is a really essential thing to do. Like any other process such as painting, plasti dipping, and other ways to apply different paints.
You need to perform a good prep on the surface in order so the coating sticks to the wheel. But what is involved in this prep work?
The first and most important thing when it comes to prepping the wheels for powder coating involves removing all the old paint.
For this task, there should be a chemical dip to remove all of the paint from the wheels. These chemicals will basically strip everything from the wheel.
Also, you can sandblast the wheels if you want as well. This is another good way to get rid of old paint.
Once you removed the paint, the next process will involve fixing the damage on the wheels. Everything needs to be repaired in order so the wheels look splendid when the powder coating process is complete.
And before the powder coating process begins, the wheels need to be properly cleaned from all the debris that was left out from the repair process. And last is the tape time. Tape everything that you don’t want to be painted and you will be good to go.
But what is the cost to powder coat wheels? More on that in a bit after we cover the powder coating process in detail.
The Powder Coating Process
Now before we elaborate more on the cost to powder coat wheels, let’s take a look at the process of powder coating. What does it take to powder coat the wheels of your car? Knowing the process will really going to help you determine whether or not this procedure costs as much as the powder coating shop demands from you.
As we mentioned previously, the key aspect of powder coating is prep. Prep work is a guarantee that the powder coating will last at least 20 years minimum. This is why you should spend some money extra on prep than spending money later to redo the whole procedure all over again.
When it comes to the procedure of powder coating we can say that it is rather simple and will not take more than a couple of hours from start to finish.
The first step is the process of applying the powder. As we mentioned this is done with a special spray gun that will make the powder stick to the wheels through a chemical process.
Once the wheels are sprayed with the first coat, they are left to bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the first quick bake is completed, it should be left at room temperature to cool down.
Then once the wheels are cooled down, the next step will involve spraying them with a clear coat. Then after the clear coat is applied, the wheels should undertake another longer baking process to make sure that the paint is cured completely.
After the whole process is done, the wheels should be left to cool down and sit like this for a couple of hours to cure completely. But what about the cost to powder coat wheels? More on that in a bit.
Pros And Cons Of Powder Coating Wheels
Now before we cover the cost to powder coat wheels, let’s discuss another interesting topic, and that is the pros and cons of powder coating wheels.
Knowing the pros and cons of this type of painting is an excellent idea when it comes to determining if this is really the thing that you want for your car. This is why we are going to cover all the possible pros and cons in the following chapters so you understand better what can you expect in terms of cost to powder coat wheels and other factors. So, let’s get into it.
Powder Coating Pros
When it comes to powder coating wheels pros it is worth mentioning that this product is one of the best products out there.
In my opinion, it is far better than paint is and has a ton of positives. Namely, the durability. This product will last for more than 20 years if the surface is well-prepped.
That’s why we mentioned that prep work is one of the most important aspects when it comes to powder coating wheels. This way you will be sure that the product is going to last.
The second pro of applying powder coating is that it can be applied in any color that you desire. But it will also cost you more to paint the wheels with some more exotic colors.
Not to mention that it is also very safe for the environment. It doesn’t pollute or leave any unwanted consequences such as plasti dipping or regular paint.
And the last pro of using powder coating is the cost to powder coat wheels. Powder coating is really affordable and it is not crazy expensive as you would probably think. But more on the cost to powder coat wheels, we are going to explain later on in the article. First, let’s discuss more on the cons of powder coating.
Powder Coating Cons
Now let’s cover some of the cons before we learn more about the cost to powder coat wheels. What are the cons of performing this work on your wheels?
Well, there are not many. The biggest con of powder coating is that this coating does not have any hydrophobic properties. This means that this type of coating will still attract dirt, brake dust, and other types of road debris similar to the standard paint and clear coat way of painting.
Another con of powder coating is the low-quality control. Nowadays, this business is booming and shops have too much work on their hands. So, in some places, they cannot afford to spend too much time prepping, and sometimes the job result can be mediocre. Or after a year or two the powder coating to start chipping.
This is why you need to find a reputable shop that has a good relationship with the customers. Because they will for sure do a good job on your car. And the last con is price. Yes, that’s right, the price is also a con.
The cost to powder coat wheels in some more exotic colors can be rather high and it could cost you an arm and a leg sometimes. This is why you need to be prepared for this. But what is the cost to powder coat wheels? Well, more on that we are going to cover next.
Cost To Powder Coat Wheels
Now let’s get to the main topic and that is the cost to powder coat wheels. How much money can you expect to pay for this work on your car?
Well, the cost really depends on different factors such as the color, the size of the rim, and the prep work needed in order so the wheel to be powder coated.
The average cost to powder coat wheels is about $500 for all four 22-inch wheels. Which is a rather good deal. If you have smaller diameter wheels, you might get even a cheaper deal.
For example, if you powder coat 16-inch wheels you can get an even better deal. This work will only cost you about $300. So, you get the point, the smaller the wheels the cheaper it gets.
Not to mention that we talk about regular colors such as black chrome powder coat. If you opt for something more exotic like a purple, red, pink, or even gold powder coat you might pay more money for this service.
This is why you need to inform yourself. Look online for powder coat near me. Then, contact your local shops about this service and see what they have to offer you.
Then based on a few offers you might choose the one you really like. The one that fits your bill. Also, in addition to this, make sure that you check their portfolio and reviews if possible.
By doing this, you will make sure that you get the best deal possible and not regret it later. Now we hope that we answered your question about the cost to powder coat wheels. Let’s now conclude the article.
Powder Coating Wheels Facts:
- Powder coating is a process of finishing a surface in a dry coating, which is often applied electrostatically and heat cured.
- Powder coating is a more durable and long lasting alternative to painting a vehicle’s wheels, as it forms a lasting bond with the metal base.
- Powder coating lasts an average of 15-20 years, nearly double the lifespan of painted-on finishes.
- Powder-coated finishes tend to apply evenly, in a rather textbook fashion, with few inconsistencies.
- Powder coating can be applied to virtually any metallic surface, including most automotive wheels.
- Steel and stainless steel wheels can be powder coated, as can aluminum wheels, though treating the latter presents its own specific challenges.
- The structural integrity of an aluminum wheel could be compromised during the powder coating process, so many manufacturers void the warranty of any aluminum wheels that are sent for powder coating.
- The condition of any rim intended for powder coating should be carefully studied, as damaged or bent rims are often difficult to evenly coat, which can lead to visual defects.
- Reports of “at-home” powder coating are plentiful, but these cases involve the application of rubberized spray finishes, such as Plasti-Dip, not true powder coating.
- The cost of powder coating varies widely, but the average cost for a set of four wheels ranges from $400 to $700.
Conclusion On Cost To Powder Coat Wheels
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to powder coating wheels. First, we learned what is powder coating and its main characteristics.
Then we learned more about the procedure, prep work, and how this coating is applied on the wheels. After that, we learned the pros and cons of this coating as well as the cost to powder coat wheels. Overall, a good mod if you want to make your car look much better.
F.A.Qs On Cost To Powder Coat Wheels
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
How Long Does Powder Coat Last
Most people who powder coat wheels claim that this finish lasts for about 20 years more or less. If maintained properly, it could easily last for dozen decades with no problem.
Can You Powder Coat Aluminum
Yes, you can powder coat aluminum. You can basically powder coat any metal that is out there. If the baking oven is too hot to cure the coating, there are also alternatives such as UV light. So, you can powder coat even carbon fiber.
How Much Does It Cost To Powder Coat Wheels
The average cost is about $500. Just to make things clear, this is the average price. It doesn’t mean that you will pay that amount. You might pay cheaper or even more than $500 if you have some really big diameter wheels. More surface to paint means more money to be spent.
How Much Does It Cost To Powder Coat Motorcycle Wheels
The cost to powder coat motorcycle wheels is not that expensive. It is basically half the price to powder coat car wheels. So, for this work, you can expect to pay $250 or even less in some cases.
How Much Does It Cost To Powder Coat 4 Wheels
The average cost to powder coat four 22-inch wheels is about $500. The bigger the wheels, the more you will pay, if they are lower diameter, you can expect to pay less than $500. Your best bet would be to inform yourself at your local shops and see what they have to say about this and what are their offers.
