Alloy Wheel refurb - Powder Coat or Paint?

[Timja]

Planning to get my TVR wheels refurbished as they are looking pretty tired, no major scrapes but just lost lacquer and discoloured.

I've seen about getting them either painted or powder coated, which is the best method? Is there much difference in price?

[MrC986]

I have mine powder coated though there are pros and cons for each. I find powder coating more durable though clearly smart repairs are obviously painted instead. Some wheels are very heat sensitive I.e. Ferraris & then the powder coat process is thus less preferable. You need to visit your local powder coaters & to see how carefully the wheels are stripped as as a poor paint stripping process can leave a perfectly good wheel looking butchered & requiring lots of unnecessary prep.

oh & you get what you pay for IMO - it shouldn't be about cost but quality of finish.

[Quattromaster]

MrC986 said:

I have mine powder coated though there are pros and cons for each. I find powder coating more durable though clearly smart repairs are obviously painted instead. Some wheels are very heat sensitive I.e. Ferraris & then the powder coat process is thus less preferable. You need to visit your local powder coaters & to see how carefully the wheels are stripped as as a poor paint stripping process can leave a perfectly good wheel looking butchered & requiring lots of unnecessary prep.

oh & you get what you pay for IMO - it shouldn't be about cost but quality of finish.

Listen to this guy, I refurb alloys for a living and this is pretty much what I would have put.

[swisstoni]

I had my TVR spiders redone by Lepsons in Gillingham last year and would not think about going anywhere else. The also found that one was out of round and sorted that for an extra £10. They can even put the TVR decal under the clearcoat as per some OEM spiders.
Downside is that it isn't a cheap process but I hope not to be making it a regular job!

[Timja]

Thanks for the replies. Will have a look at both options, Mine are just standard 5 spoke TVR alloys, fortunately I have a spare set so can get them done and still use the car.