Powder coating is a great way to improve your vehicle's alloy wheels at a reduced cost compared to buying brand new alloys. 

At Wheel Gods, we can provide a variety of powder coating colours and finishes, meaning that you can get the exact look you want. 

What is alloy wheel powder coating?

Alloy wheel powder coating is a decorative finish for alloy wheels. The powder is sprayed on like a traditional paint, however, it settles on the surface dry rather than a liquid. 

Once the coating is heat treated, the paint flows out and forms a gel over the surface of the alloy. 

How long does powder coating last on alloy wheels?

High quality powder coating should last for around 3 years, but this is subject to various factors such as wear and tear, UV exposure, exposure to corrosive against and how you generally use your vehicle. 

As with standard car bodywork repairs, alloy wheel powder coating needs to be lacquered over the top to prevent such damage. 

Process of alloy wheel powder coating

Below is a step by step guide to how a professional mechanic would apply alloy wheel powder coating.

1. The whole wheel is removed from the car. Since this is a refurbishment job, the wheels will need to come off. Your wheels will get rebalanced when they are replaced. 

2. The wheels are cleaned and degreased using specialist alloy wheel cleaners.

3. The wheels are then placed into extremely strong and controlled acid which takes off all the original paint or powder coat.

4. A sandblaster is used to remove and loosen any tough particles.

5. The wheel is manually sanded to get rid of hard to remove grime. 

6. The wheel is cleaned again using the cleaner and/or degreaser.

7. The alloy is heated in an industrial heater to release gases that could cause potential flaws in the final look. 

8. The powder coating is applied to the alloy wheel using specialist equipment.

9. The rim is returned to the heater until the powder starts to form a gel-like consistency over the surface of the wheel. 

1. The wheel is finished by applying the lacquer and heat treatment to protect the alloy.
   
   

HOW MANY COLOURS ARE AVAILABLE IN POWDER COATING?

Powder coating comes in a wide selection of colours and shades including black, white, grey, red, orange, yellow, blue, green and more. Reliable powder coating experts will provide colour charts to help you find your perfect colour. 

Black tends to be a popular shade choice amongst many drivers. It comes in a variety of different finishes including matt, gloss, candy, wrinkle and satin. It is a durable choice due to its high colour consistency, and it also conceals minor surface flaws. 

Brighter colours can be more challenging to clean since they might collect dirt and debris from the road, which can darker their appearance. However, regular washing with warm, soapy water should keep your alloys looking their best.

PROS AND CONS OF POWDER COATING ALLOY WHEELS

IT’S DURABLE 

Powder coating is thicker and more hard wearing than other surface treatments, lasting up to three times longer than normal paints and lacquered surfaces. 

CONSISTENT COVERING 

As it is an electrostatic process, the powder coating mix is attracted to the surface evenly, which gives a consistent finish when baked. This also prevents no risk of dripping or droplets forming. 

It can also easily be applied to a number of different surfaces including steel, stainless steel and aluminium. 

QUICKER PROCESS

Once the wheel has been prepped, the actual application and curing time is much quicker than traditional painting and lacquering, since there is only the application of the coating and the curing operations to carry out. 

DIFFICULT TO TOUCH UP

If you have powder coated rims that need some touch-ups, it can be difficult to reapply the powder to just one specific area. 

It is easier to have them cleaned right back and start fresh, rather than trying to refresh small areas. 

UNBALANCED COLOUR 

While the coating tends to be quite consistent in terms of thickness, once it has been cured, you may end up with thinner sections which will appear slightly different in colour to the thicker sections. 

YOU NEED TO GRIND THE RIMS 

The process of powder coating requires you to grind the alloy rims so that the coating can bond effectively. 

IS POWDER COATING GOOD FOR ALLOY WHEELS?

The alloy wheels on your vehicle require extra protection against weather elements, dirt and debris. 

Powder coating doesn’t just make your alloys look appealing, it offers resistance against impact damage, chemicals and solvents, making it great for protecting your alloy wheels. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POWDER COATING AND PAINTING ALLOY WHEELS?

While PAINTING YOUR ALLOY WHEELS may seem like a low-cost alternative to powder coating, it does come with a few cons, making powder coating the better choice. 

Paint tends to be more susceptible to scratches and chips, even with a lacquered coating on top. This makes it less durable than powder coating. 

Spray painting can also result in premature corrosion from road conditions, making it more of a short term solution. 

Powder coating provides better coverage than liquid paints and it is also easier to cover aspects of the wheel which are harder to reach. 

WHERE CAN I GET ALLOY WHEEL POWDER COATING DONE?

At Wheel Gods, we are specialists in powder coating and alloy colour changing.