Has anyone ever had a set of wheels re-powdercoated? If so would you mind sharing the cost? My AFS wheels ('96 grand sport clones) are in bad need of at least a new clearcoating and perhaps a full re-powdercoating.
I bought them as a blem set years ago with a couple seriously minor blemishes, but it seems like (I know this sounds crazy) my brake pad dust reacted with the rims causing them to flake badly. The fronts are horrible and the rears are in much better shape.
I contacted AFS about re-doing them once before (on my dime, I know I bought a blem set), but I dropped the ball and never followed up with them.
If the cost isn't horrible I'd like to maybe get it done over this coming winter.
You might check to see what new AFS wheels are selling for on flea-bay. I bought a second set for my 87 last year for $595 delivered from CA. They were all 9.5x17's and weren't blems, just their regular stock.
Didn't you have 17x11's in the back? Those may cost a bit more, but if powdercoating is going to be in the $150 each range, then it may just be easier to get another set and keep what you have for spares or re-sale.
Wow... $595 shipped? My how things have changed. Yeah, I do have the 11" on the rear. The fronts are the really bad ones. I actually have a set of identical 11" rears with BFG drag radials on them. If I could pick up a cheap set of 9.5" then I could replace my worn fronts and use the rims the BFGs are on as they're in better shape too. One thing that I have to watch though is AFS changed the GS style wheel not long after I bought mine. Then went from the narrow polished rim like the GS had to a wider polished rim. It might look funny if the rims don't match.
Location: It's not what we have, it's what we believe
I guess you need to get some quotes on refinishing...I am willing to bet some local bike guys have some good resources...alot of bikers get their stuff coated and probably know the best and cheapest places....good luck
Powder Coating is inferior to good paint. It is good for trailer hitches, not wheels. It spiders when it chips, and cannot be refinished like a chip in paint can be, no depth, orange peel... etc. Porsche will not allow any wheels or calipers to be powder coated on any of their cars before they leave any of their dealerships / authorized paint shops, etc.
Go with a good painter. We have a customer painter we use, he's very good, warranty's the finish from defects for 10 years.
There is a supporting forum member Mike Golding that has a powder coating business. He has done several items for me - calipers, brackets, etc. quality of work was excellent, quick turnaround and at what I considered a very reasonable price. 678-957-6202 mike@thepowdercoater.com. Call or email and he will give you a budget quote. Final price based on actual condition of the wheels when received. I recommend him. Website thepowdercoater.com
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2003 Black on Black Z06 - RD Racing 4 point roll bar, Crow 6 point harnesses, track alignment, Bilstein shocks, Hotchkis sway bars, lowered, DRM engine oil cooler, Goodridge SS lines, 2006-Z06 shifter, Wilwood BBK, LG spindle ducts and DRM air ducts, ARP studs.
If you want depth, no orange peel, no spider-webbing similar to a cracked windshield, then go with paint. If you want extreme durability to heat and everyday chipping go with powder coating... but be prepared to have them redone more than once.
If you want depth, no orange peel, no spider-webbing similar to a cracked windshield, then go with paint. If you want extreme durability to heat and everyday chipping go with powder coating... but be prepared to have them redone more than once.
Sorry, but I have to disagree strongly with you on this one. I have a set of track wheels that I powdercoated, even right over the paint with absolutely zero prep and they have gone through multiple tire mounts and dismounts at a local chevy dealer with no chips or scrapes at all on them. Plus my local body shop absolutely refuses to paint lips, as paint just won't hold up to the mounting process.
Orange peel and no depth? I don't think so. Some colors can have a slight orange peel to them, but nothing worse than paint if it is properly applied.
Sorry, but I have to disagree strongly with you on this one. I have a set of track wheels that I powdercoated, even right over the paint with absolutely zero prep and they have gone through multiple tire mounts and dismounts at a local chevy dealer with no chips or scrapes at all on them. Plus my local body shop absolutely refuses to paint lips, as paint just won't hold up to the mounting process.
Orange peel and no depth? I don't think so. Some colors can have a slight orange peel to them, but nothing worse than paint if it is properly applied.
Your entitled to your opinion like anyone else. I have tried several powder coaters, and none have ever been able to apply without a "ripple" effect that I see in your very pictures above. They just will not look as good as a decent-good paint job, period.
I did say earlier, powder coating is absolutely are more durable, but so is stainless steel... should we start making body panels for corvettes out of it? Most Corvette owners that I know / sell to, will not bring their wheels / tires to just any Joe Blow to have them mounted. With the proper equipment, the rims shouldn't be touched, therefore should never be scratched or chipped.
If I ever found a powder coater to do a set of wheels, and they come out just as good as paint, I will promote the **** out of them... but I'm pretty sure the technology just isn't there...
Porsche will not powder coat any wheel or calipers while at any of their facilities. It's simply an inferior finish to paint.
my finish is better than factory paint, and even the factory wheels have OP to them. Should someone be that discriminating, powdercoat can be wetsanded and polished, just like liquid paint.
Corvette Store
Re-powdercoating a set of wheels?
Yeah, I do have the 11" on the rear. The fronts are the really bad ones. I actually have a set of identical 11" rears with BFG drag radials on them. If I could pick up a cheap set of 9.5" then I could replace my worn fronts and use the rims the BFGs are on as they're in better shape too. One thing that I have to watch though is AFS changed the GS style wheel not long after I bought mine. Then went from the narrow polished rim like the GS had to a wider polished rim. It might look funny if the rims don't match.
Most Corvette owners that I know / sell to, will not bring their wheels / tires to just any Joe Blow to have them mounted. With the proper equipment, the rims shouldn't be touched, therefore should never be scratched or chipped.
