qoncept944

I'm getting new wheels for my WRX tonight and I'd like to powdercoat them myself. I've got access to an oven that's big enough, but no experience with actually doing it. Are these kits on ebay for $75 any good? Without any experience, am I going to be able to get decent results? Thanks!

Matt H

One thing to consider is that once they are PC'd the stuff is nearly impossible to remove. Make sure you like what you are going with and no color I have ever seen on the cards looked like it did once it hit the wheel!
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Perry 951

I would not coat the wheels yourself if they are an alloy. I wanted to PC my PD's white, until I started reading up on the tempering process.

Most wheels are heat tempered for strength, and when you toss them back in the oven, the heat temper is damaged unless you do the proper process. (per wheel manufacturer)

I don't know about you, but the possibilty of damaging a wheel is not one I am gonna take. If you want them coated, send them off to a specialist.

Matt H

Perry, you still looking for some white wheels? If so I have a set of PC D90s, they are white.
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Perry 951

Nope.. I have my PD's that I'll use. Gonna paint them... or send them out to be coated.

early85944

Also, the actual powder coating process is not all that easy. It is easy to powder coat an even surface however on a contoured surface it is hard to get the charge evenly dissipated some the paint is even every where. The company I work for makes paint pigments and the R&D team always talks about this problem. I would have a professional do it.

early85944

Hello cant type today. I meant to say. It is hard to get an even charge disappation so the "powder" is even across the surface.

Sam Lin

I'd pay for someone to do it because it's not expensive to have done, 40-60 a wheel.

Sam

qoncept944

In that case I'd rather not do it at all -- I wouldn't trust any "specialist" to do the process any better than myself.

What about painting? My main concern with paint is getting knicks and scratches in them.

Here's a pic of the project.. http://www.clubwrx.net/forums/showth...threadid=52380

Perry 951

If you strip and prep, then use good wheel paint (Wurths), they shoud not chip or scratch any more easily than OEM finishes.

Most wheel specialists can do the coating without issue. You do not have very accurate control over the heat in your oven, or the rate that it heats and cools. With the proper equipment, I (and you) could finish wheels all day long with little fear of screwing it up.

Equipment is the key when it comes to stuff like this. (don't forget, I coated damn near evertything in my engine bay myself, so I know a little about PC'ing parts)

DustinWayman

I have all powder-coated wheels and i absolutely love the stuff. In fact, I am about to go out to the shop today to get one more set done!

Perry 951

Do you do them yourself? What kind of equipment are you using?

qoncept944

Yup! I originally was going to just PM you, but figured I'd get some other points of view as well. Thanks for the help, everyone.

ErichCS

I have seen a set of powder coated wheels first hand, actually they were the 17 cup 968 wheels done in silver. They looked great, so nice in fact that i plan to have a set of 16 PD's done in white for my car!

And to consider the cost of it, roughly 150 a set(if you know someone) its cheap and easy! Why bother with doing it yourself...knowing me id waste hours trying to make it look perfect!

Goodluck!
-Erich

Mike B

I going to try and powdercoat my 16" phone dials. I picked up some "wheel silver" from Columbia Coatings which looks pretty good. I'll keep everyone posted.