How much to paint OEM wheels?

RayMaN

I want to paint mine black. How much should I expect to pay?

imjello

There is a place local to me ( Texas ) , that quoted me $600 for powder coat. This included me dropping off the car, them removing wheels and tires, powder coat, then reinstalling everything. Best part was they do the work overnight and you pick it up in the morning.

I didn't do it, but seemed like the best idea for a person who only had one set.

I imagine finding a place and dropping off wheels without tires would be cheaper. I did not look into painting, but am in for others responses.

Kayzee

600 sounds like the biggest ripoff of the century.


I'm in NYC and local places quote between 50 and 75 a wheel depending on finish.

Single stage starting at 50. (1 solid color)

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2010 Sport, Magnetic Black
Top Speed Pro 1 CBE - Swift Spec R - Stillen Splitter - 35% Tint - Tinted tails - 6k HID -ES113 20x10 20x11

RayMaN

Ok.. So I should aim for $300.. That sounds fair

AdamRacer

Yea I paid $300 for my base wheels to be powdercoated satin black before I sold them.

2011 Nismo#91

I paid 600 for paint and repair for curb rash for all 4 nismo wheels. NYC area. I had them done cheaper before but the paint started peeling off after a few washes.

nowayhighway

You can just DIY using Plastidip. Unless you want tough and permanent paint.

RayMaN

Question on Plastidip.. How long does it last? And which/where should I buy it? (Sorry, I don't know much about it)

JDubya

Home depot usually carries plenty of black plasti dip. Otherwise, you can find it at countless places via the internet (Amazon for example).

The amount of time it lasts depends on driving conditions and luck (i.e., how much crap hits your wheels). I dipped my winter wheels and they only have a few small tears in them from Dec-March. I dipped my sport wheels and have had them on since March and they've gotten a few tiny tears in them. Some of that is because I had to drive on a road being resurfaced.

Overall, it holds up pretty well assuming you apply it correctly. By correctly I mean 4-6 coats, starting with a light first coat (50% coverage, you should still be able to see the wheel underneath). This is after you've VERY thoroughly cleaned the wheels.

I don't feel confident enough to say "it'll last forever," but it should last a few years pretty easily. You may (you will) have to respray a coat on the wheels after a while to keep them maintained (depending on how picky you are about the inevitable small tears that will happen).

If you decide to use plasti dip, I'll offer you some advice I learned the hard way..

1. Shake the cans very well (5-10 minutes)
2. Warm the cans up (I placed mine in hot water)
3. Shake the cans even more
4. A spray can handle/grip is nice to have.

If you don't do the first 3, you run the chance of having very textured or thick/gloppy/chunky plasti dip.

Head over to youtube and look at the countless videos on people dipping wheels if you want to see it in action.

RayMaN

Awesome!! Thank you for the recommendations.. Will definitely do that.