Powdercoat too glossy
Discussion
Against my better judgement I let myself get talked into having a set of wheels powdercoated. I was fooled by the "Much better these days, you won't know they aren't brand new" patter. IMHO the finish isn't any different from 20-odd years ago when I had a set done because I wanted a cheap job - just a lot more expensive these days. In this particular case, I wasn't after a cheap job and that's not what I got - in financial terms.
The wheels look like they've been painted with Dulux gloss, just the same as the set I had done cheap in 2000/01. The finish is much too thick and far too glossy for my liking. As they are, I'm loathe to put them on the car for very long, TBH. I won't take them back and complain, because they don't do painting so there's no point (plus I have other issues with the job/service). I'm prepared to put it down to experience, but........
Once wheels have been powdercoated, can they be stripped and painted, or do I need to buy another set?
Is there anything I can do to dull the finish? If I can, I might be prepared to use them for a while rather than straight away throw another wad at getting these either painted or replaced.
TIA
Stuart
The wheels look like they've been painted with Dulux gloss, just the same as the set I had done cheap in 2000/01. The finish is much too thick and far too glossy for my liking. As they are, I'm loathe to put them on the car for very long, TBH. I won't take them back and complain, because they don't do painting so there's no point (plus I have other issues with the job/service). I'm prepared to put it down to experience, but........
Once wheels have been powdercoated, can they be stripped and painted, or do I need to buy another set?
Is there anything I can do to dull the finish? If I can, I might be prepared to use them for a while rather than straight away throw another wad at getting these either painted or replaced.
TIA
Stuart
MDMA . said:
What did you ask for?
BMW Ferric Grey. I was told they would get as close as they can and it would be what he called gunmetal. I accepted that (my bad...). Ferric isn't high gloss. I wasn't offered any options of finish, nor was I told that I was going to get high gloss. TBH, now I think back to the day I took the wheels in, I'm pretty sure the examples he showed me were painted rather than powdercoated - even though they don't offer a painting service because "no-one repaints wheels these days, it's all powdercoat".swisstoni said:
I don’t think many people complain their wheels are too shiny unless they clearly specified a particular finish that hasn’t been achieved.
I just assumed that a place that specialise in refurbing wheels would realise that if I requested Ferric grey (or something close) that I wouldn't want high gloss.swisstoni said:
The wheels can be stripped and painted somewhere else if you prefer paint. There’s no reason it can’t be done.
At least I don't need to source a replacement set, then.Right so you wanted a near as dammit original spec and he just did the nearest HE does.
A bit naughty of the refurber if he knew it wasn’t going to be close.
People like Lepsons are who I go to when I want excellent work. They have a wheel display wall of most of their finishes so you can see what you are getting.
A bit naughty of the refurber if he knew it wasn’t going to be close.
People like Lepsons are who I go to when I want excellent work. They have a wheel display wall of most of their finishes so you can see what you are getting.
StuBeeDoo said:
MDMA . said:
What did you ask for?
BMW Ferric Grey. I was told they would get as close as they can and it would be what he called gunmetal. I accepted that (my bad...). Ferric isn't high gloss. I wasn't offered any options of finish, nor was I told that I was going to get high gloss. TBH, now I think back to the day I took the wheels in, I'm pretty sure the examples he showed me were painted rather than powdercoated - even though they don't offer a painting service because "no-one repaints wheels these days, it's all powdercoat".
As you probably know, Ferric Grey is a wet paint and I don't know if anyone does a 100% powder match equivalent yet. Paint code is BMW B55 MET. A light anthracite would be a close match, but a wet paint in the correct code would have been the better option if that was the colour you wanted.
MDMA . said:
I normally have all my wheels redone in anthracite. Always suits a light coloured car IMO.
Your BBSs are slightly darker than the look I was going for, but the right sort of "lustre". What I got was.......
That image was taken on a very overcast day. I can't help thinking that if the wheel wasn't so glossy the effect wouldn't be nearly as bad. It's pretty-much a mirror gloss - like piano black.
StuBeeDoo said:
Thank you for posting ^^^ that, and putting me right about Ferric grey. 
Several people had told me, independently, that Factory Ferric was more like a satin finish. I obviously should have asked here first. Another lesson learned.
Or you know.. used the Internet and google searched!!!! Several people had told me, independently, that Factory Ferric was more like a satin finish. I obviously should have asked here first. Another lesson learned.For the sake of continuity, this is what they look like on the car.
Bear in mind, the car is clean here - I'm far from the worlds best at keeping it that way. It's lucky if it gets a wash once a fortnight - and in between it's out in all weathers and averages 250 miles a week.
Bear in mind, the car is clean here - I'm far from the worlds best at keeping it that way. It's lucky if it gets a wash once a fortnight - and in between it's out in all weathers and averages 250 miles a week.
Edited by StuBeeDoo on Sunday 11th October 21:26
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