Painting/Powder Coat my stock 18 wheels?
 

Hi guys, im wondering if I can get my stock 18inch alloy wheels painted/powder coated. Honestly, I like the stock wheels on my car and I dont want to spend too much money on buying a new wheel. Is getting your wheels painted a good idea or even possible?? I've hear it can be done but I want the work to be legitiment and 100%

Any suggestions guys? Thanks

If you prep them correctly you can get a damn good finish from spray paint. Providing you're good with a spray can and good at wetsanding.

painting it i think is risky. powder coating is prob a better way of doing in but again it all in the prep work. it can come out awesome and peel off the next day if not preped correct. same thing goes if you paint it with a spray gun or rattle can.

Id do some reserch on powder coating shop in your area. IMO

Mike the powder coater can do it

Our wheels are painted to begin with so paint or powdercoat is not really the issue. It's all about the prep as everyone has described. With some patience, you could paint it yourself, but I would have it painted by a pro if I were you. At least if they screw up, you can have them fix it.

Powder coating is the way to go. If done right, you will get a much more durable finish.

How much does this process usually run?

I'm assuming the tires will need to be removed, reinstalled & balanced, so that's already at least $120. Then theres shipping charges.

Most good PC places around me are $60-$100 a wheel. At that price, it's just not worth it.

I'm probably going to be painting my 18's this weekend (rattle can, like I always have in the past). I've never removed the tires when I paint my wheels (I've done it quite a bit...), I always just use the index card method to shield the tires from over spray. However, it seems on this site there are quite a few snobs who will look down on a person trying to save a few bucks and speak ill of whatever they don't agree with that a z deserves.

Powder coating will be more durable in the long run, but it's far to expensive. For that price I'd rather just hold out and buy a set of wheels the color I want.

Everyone is going to have their opinion no matter what you do. So don't even sweat it... If its what works best for you, and you're satisfied with the final product. Thats all that matters. Besides, if you dont scratch the hell out of your wheels curbing them, who's to say a spray can coat isn't durable enough for you? :tup:

Best of luck! Post pics once it's done. :tup:

I will tell you also that PCing is going to be more durable than painting. That being said, I used the three step Duplicolor system to refinish the centers of my Work VSXXs on my Z32TT and am very happy with them. It is holding up really well. Better than I expected.


http://www.the370z.com/members/beach...sxx-wheels.jpg

ahh okay. I guess ill stick to powder coating from a shop.thanks for the advise guys

yes, powdercoating will be more durable. If you are doing them satin black, you might try the spray paint route first though. If you don't like it, it won't cost any more when you do get them powdercoated.

Satin black has an advantage over gloss black in that you can spot touch up any time, and it will blend right in.

Powder coat it! Its cheaper and more ruggedized then paint...

I powder coated my stock 18`s too:

Nissan 370Z Forum - Oldschool!'s Album: My cars - Picture

Most customers I have seen that try to paint their wheels usually end up regretting it soon after, then end up sending them to us to powdercoat any ways... But like some said, you never know until you try, I guess. Powdercoating is MUCH more resilient, durable, and resistant to the elements and chemicals (such as brake dust, brake cleaners, brake fluid, etc) than paint is and will last longer. These days, with powder the range is almost limitless on all the different colors, textures, hues, flats, glosses, satins, pearls, sparkles, metallics, ice, etc. Plus our powdercoating prep and process is second to none, and our prices are pretty much unbeatable..... So powdercoating for most is a worthwhile option. (18" wheels start at $63 each)

I retract what I said earlier. Powder coating is the way to go once you are 100% sure what color you want. If not, just paint them until you find a color you like.