Alloy Wheel Refurbishment using Powder Coating

Applying powder coating to your alloy wheel is one of the most effective ways to customize your vehicle and enhance its value. The best results are obtained by powder coaters who recognize that preparation is the most critical part of the process and apply the most stringent pre-treatment procedures.

If you are considering getting your alloy wheel completely refurbished, a powder coating rather than a traditional paint and lacquer approach is one of the options available to you in the marketplace. There are a few different reasons why you might pick this finish. But first, let’s look into what it really is. 

Table of Contents 

How Alloy Wheel Powder Coating Works 

Benefits of Powder Coating for Your Alloy Wheels

How to Powder Coat Alloy Wheels 

Frequently Asked Question on Powder Coating

Conclusion

How Alloy Wheel Powder Coating Works 

Alloy wheel powder coating is a decorative finish for alloy wheels. It is sprayed on like traditional paint. However, it settles on the surface dry rather than liquid. It is not until the coating is heated that the paint \flows out of the coating and forms a gel over the surface of the wheel. As with a standard re-spray, car bodywork repair or car scratch repair. Alloy wheel powder coatings need to be lacquered over the top to protect against UV damage, light scratches, pollution and wash swirls.

Powder coating is a process that can improve the look of your wheels while reducing the overall cost of your aesthetics. Instead of paying for custom rims when they begin to look worn out, refinishing them by investing in this service can help them to make them look brand new once again.

The powder coating provides ground particles that are made of specific pigments and resin. They are electrically charged as they get sprayed to the surface that needs refinishing – like your wheel rims. That charge makes it possible to adhere to the metal, and then the wheels get baked so that the surfaces blend together to create a hard cure. That process results in a high-quality, durable surface that gives you a look that is consistently fantastic.

Although there are other ways that you can improve the overall look and durability of your rims that need an updated finish, there are several pros and cons of powder coating wheels that you’ll want to look at today.

Powder coating is a type of metal finishing that is often used in place of liquid paint. It is normally applied in a free-flowing dried powder and includes no solvents, unlike liquid painting. Powder coating is ideal for those seeking a harder, incredibly durable finish. This makes it the ideal solution for a wide range of projects including buildings, agriculture, electrical engineering and the automotive sector.

One of the main benefits of powder coating is the durability that it offers. The highly durable nature of powder coating enables materials to stand the test of time and serve you well for many years before they need to be replaced. Powder coating can also save you a great deal of money in the long run whilst helping you comply with various regulations.

Powder coating can keep its finish for up to 20 years. It is noted for its resistance to chemicals, corrosion and weather. It is important that powder coating is pre-treated to protect its longevity. The surface the coating is applied to must be clean to ensure it can adhere to it. During the pre-treatment process, existing coatings and corrosions will be stripped, with bare metal also being cleaned. If the treatment process is substandard, the powder coat can chip, with its life being shortened.

Benefits of Powder Coating for Your Alloy Wheels

Powder coating is a cost-effective means of bolstering your vehicle’s curb appeal. By promoting a radiant appearance and robust protection for your wheels, powder coating offers multiple advantages to vehicle owners. Here is a look at five key benefits of powder coating for your alloy wheels:

You will enhance the value of your vehicle

You can transform your vehicle’s appearance by changing the color of your alloy wheels

You can bolster the longevity of your wheels through powder coating

You can give your vehicle a subtle facelift by updating your existing alloy wheel finish

You can express your individuality through powder coated alloy wheels

How to Powder Coat Alloy Wheels

Here’s a step-by-step guide to how our professional technician will apply alloy wheel powder coating.

1. Remove the whole wheel from the car. As this is a full refurbishing, the wheels need to come off. So, when powder coating wheels you should get them rebalanced when they are replaced.

2. Manually clean and degrease wheels with a specialist alloy wheel cleaner.

3. Sandblast to remove and loosen tougher particles.

4. Manually sand the wheel to get rid of the trickiest grime.

5. Go over the wheel again with a cleaner/degreaser and a brush.

6. Heat the rim in an industrial oven to release gases that could cause flaws in the final finish.

7. Apply the powder coating to the alloy wheel with a specialist spray gun.

8. Return the rim to the oven until the powder starts to run out to a gel-like consistency over the surface of the wheel.

9. Apply lacquer and heat treat to set.

Frequently Asked Question on Powder Coating

What metals Cannot be Powder Coated?

While most metals are good candidates for powdered painting, there are a few that pose a problem. Some automotive parts are made using plastic or resin body fillers, which creates a problem for two reasons. These metals typically won’t allow the fine powder to stick to their surface, as they aren’t electrostatically charged. Additionally, the plastic or resin body fillers can’t withstand the high temperatures required during the curing process, often causing bubbles and other imperfections to ruin the finish. Other materials that cannot be powder coated include rubber, plastic, wood and anything else that melts at high temperatures.

How should I care for my powder coated alloys?

Pollution, dirt, grime and salt can all accumulate on a powder coated surface over time. To extend the life of your powder coated alloy wheels a simple regular maintenance program should be implemented for the removal of residues.

In areas where pollutants are more likely, especially in coastal or industrial regions, a cleaning program should be carried out on a more frequent basis. To clean a powder coated surface, carefully remove any loose deposits with a wet sponge and then use a soft non-abrasive brush or cloth in combination with a mild household detergent solution to remove dust, salt and other residues. Finally rinse all powder coated surfaces with clean water.

What has static electricity got to do with powder coating?

Powder coatings are electrostatically charged by the spray gun. This works by very high voltage (80,000 to 100,000 volts) being delivered to the electrode. This high voltage ionizes the air creating a field of electrons or negative charge. The powder is pneumatically conveyed into this electrostatic field, picks up a charge then heads to the nearest ground. So, lots of static electricity is generated by the spray system.

Why choose powder coating over traditional painting for your alloy wheels?

Powder coating continues to rise in popularity over traditional liquid painting for alloy wheels. From faster production times to increased durability, powder coating has become the finish of choice for picky vehicle owners. Below are the key factors that make powder coating superior to liquid paint when refinishing alloy wheels.

Environmental considerations. Powder coating contains no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) or harmful chemicals which can be hazardous to the environment. Additionally, powder coating does not pollute the air or water.

Bolder colors: Powder coating is specifically formulated to add color to wheels and metal. One of the primary reasons that vehicle owners seek wheel refurbishment is to achieve the desired color change. Powder coating’s ability to produce bolder, more vivid colors is a key advantage.

Greater durability: The properties of powder coating produce a thicker, more durable layer of coverage than liquid paint. This enables powder coating to better endure wear and tear and resist wheel damage caused by rock chips.

Faster production time. Eager vehicle owners and busy production staff can both enjoy the benefits of the faster production time offered by powder coating. When a powder coated alloy wheel is removed from the oven, the curing process typically takes only 20 minutes. Liquid paint curing, in contrast, can take days to cure.

Conclusion

Powder coating is a viable option for most wheels if you want to update the look or restore what you have. Although it may not be the best option in every scenario, the value of this work is typically worth the investment that you make.

The popularity of powder coating is growing all the time. Powder coating is noted for its resistance to impacts, scratches and chemicals. It can be applied to metal, wood and glass products. Items that are often powder coated today include lighting, gates, railings, alloy wheels, furniture, parts and more. Metals which can be powder coated include aluminium, stainless and steel alloys, galvanised steel and certain cast metals. If the metal can hold an electrostatic charge, it can normally be powder coated. It can take just 30 minutes for powder coating to cure. The low VOCs make powder coating a much safer, eco-friendly alternative to liquid paint.

If you are looking for a powder coating shop in Nigeria to refurbish or to finally put the finishing touches on that car restoration project you’ve been working on for years, be sure to get a quote from our incredible team at GZ Industrial Supplies. With our combined experience over the years, we can improve the durability of practically any metallic item you can bring to our shop and give it a thick, seamless finish. Learn more about what powdered coating can do for your products and refurbishing projects by calling us now for a quote.

GZ Industrial Supplies offers a level of customer service that is second to none and we promise to finish your wheels on time or ahead of schedule. We look forward to helping you transform your vehicle and adding you to our growing list of delighted customers! We have been involved in a high number of high-profile projects across the country. We aim to offer the best value and service for all our customers. You can find out more about the services that we offer by getting in touch via the website, contact us today.