Wheel refurb - Powder v Wet spray finish
Discussion
Need to get my BM wheels refurbed, but do I go with powder coating or traditional wet spraying?
Everyone says powder coating is great until it gets chipped and water can get under it.
Richard
1986 Porsche 3.2 Carrera Targa Turbo look
2002 BMW E39 525D Sports Touring
1999 BMW E36 Sports convertible
Everyone says powder coating is great until it gets chipped and water can get under it.
Richard
1986 Porsche 3.2 Carrera Targa Turbo look
2002 BMW E39 525D Sports Touring
1999 BMW E36 Sports convertible
I think TSW are a franchise so results can vary branch to branch but they do seem like a professional outfit.
I've used the one in Manchester around three or four times and have gone for either a gunmetal or darker grey. They've told me that they powder coat the wheels and the finish has been exceptional on every occasion. The one time I went elsewhere to save a few quid, they sprayed them and I wasn't so happy with the finish.
I've used the one in Manchester around three or four times and have gone for either a gunmetal or darker grey. They've told me that they powder coat the wheels and the finish has been exceptional on every occasion. The one time I went elsewhere to save a few quid, they sprayed them and I wasn't so happy with the finish.
From my experience, wet spray. Once the seal has gone on powder coat, moisture creeps in underneath and the rest will go. This will be more noticeable on deep dish alloys. I had them on my E39 and got my wheels refurbed twice; once with diamond cut and once with powder coat. The power coat lasted longer. I had my wheels on my Audi wet sprayed. Lasted three years and were still going strong when I sold it.
Chuffmeister said:
From my experience, wet spray. Once the seal has gone on powder coat, moisture creeps in underneath and the rest will go. This will be more noticeable on deep dish alloys. I had them on my E39 and got my wheels refurbed twice; once with diamond cut and once with powder coat. The power coat lasted longer. I had my wheels on my Audi wet sprayed. Lasted three years and were still going strong when I sold it.
At last someone who speak sense. Done right wet spray is the way forward, sadly there are plenty of bodge it and scarper out there.I've had good results with a couple of sets of powder coated wheels and no chipping/peeling after 3 years or so, but then again no kerbing either so they've remain sealed. The main benefit for me is the ease of cleaning them - I find brake dust so much easier to wash off the glass-smooth surface of the powder coat with a normal shampoo and sponge rather than having to resort to wheel cleaner chemicals on rougher OE painted surfaces.
Just make sure the mating face of the wheel is not coated - this needs to remain metal to metal contact for trueness and good wheel clamping load via the studs/nuts.
Just make sure the mating face of the wheel is not coated - this needs to remain metal to metal contact for trueness and good wheel clamping load via the studs/nuts.
I guess a lot would depend on what style of wheels you're using. Powder will do an okay job in some situations. However, the powder only coats the metal and doesn't bond to it. Once the coat is breached, it is only a matter of time until the rest will follow. Two pack paint is usually best for a longer lasting finish.
I was reading on a wheel refurbers site that when a wheel is originally powder coated it goes through a heat cycle. When the wheel is refurbed and powder coated again it has to be heat cycled again.
The suggestion was that the physical properties of the wheel will be changed by the second heat cycle and that's why they recommend painting over powder coating.
I'm no metallurgist ( no really ) and have no clue as to validity but I thought I'd throw it out there. I always thought powder coating was the proper way to refurb but now I'm not so sure.
The suggestion was that the physical properties of the wheel will be changed by the second heat cycle and that's why they recommend painting over powder coating.
I'm no metallurgist ( no really ) and have no clue as to validity but I thought I'd throw it out there. I always thought powder coating was the proper way to refurb but now I'm not so sure.
swisstoni said:
I always thought powder coating was the proper way to refurb but now I'm not so sure.
Surely if it were the manufacturers would do so?I totally agree the powder coat finish is a much more durable end result to we painting, but at what cost?
The process involves stripping usually with blasting and acid dip. I can see why time and time again on the same set of alloys the process may compromise the structure, especially on the newer "cheaper" alloys on the market today.
I run a repair company and gladly offer both services and recommend the process most suited to the application required.
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