powder coating vs. painting? what is the difference

[rsiwicki]

I am thinking about buying a set of wheels with a silver face and polished lip and want to have the silver face refinished black. What are the pros/cons of doing powder coating vs. painting.

[Chingon]

powder coating pros:strong finish, hard to scratch/ship

cons: It's been rumored that the curing temperature is too high for aluminum/alloy wheels, reaching a temperature that rearranges aluminum crystals weakening them (kinda like welding)

paint pros: cheap, many colors, easy to get and fix

cons: not everyone can do it right, no resistance like powder coat.
Modified by Chingon at 6:31 PM 3/13/2005

[rsiwicki]

ahh very good info. I guess I will go with the painting since these are going on my Q and I don't want to weaken the rims any further and like you say....painting is somewhat easier to do or get fixed.

[ILikeMy240sx]

Yeah and also when people powder coat calipers... not a good idea as things go under thermal expansion and ruin the integrity of the calipers

[elwesso]

Rob just have them put about 3 layers of clear coat on, then you can take some rubbing compound to it to make it orange peel free.....

[onosqv]

Yeah and also when people powder coat calipers... not a good idea as things go under thermal expansion and ruin the integrity of the calipers

So powder coating is bad for calipers???

[elwesso]

So powder coating is bad for calipers???

Basically.. Its easier to paint them (IMHO) and repaint them every year (worst case) than powdercoating...

Lots of heat goes into powder coating, and you dont want to lose ANY structural integrity of calipers!

[wangless]

good read, never knew about making the rims/calipers weaker