Hi guys, I have a set of 35 Ford wires for a 33 pick-up project. Unfortunately they are a bit crusty, so I need to have them shot-blasted. I can't decide whether to have them powder-coated or whether to paint them. I'm concerned that powder coating will leave them a bit plastic looking...what are your thoughts and does anyone have any pics of powder coated wires/kelseys they could post.
I have a set of Wheel Vintique wires on my car.They are powder coated and just look like a nice paint job. Plus after 6 years, they still look new. I'm sure if I had painted them, rust would be showing up around the spokes.
I think Coker tires offers these wheels with the option of powder coating in several colors . I know you said you already have the wheels but what I'm suggesting is to go to their web site and see if they have any sample photos you could look at to see that is the look you're after ! Doesn't cost anything to look ! Just my $ 0.02 ! Good luck !
Mine were powdercoated gloss black followed with a coat of clear powder. Looked like GOOD paint. Compared to other parts I had coated without clear powder, I believe the clear makes all the difference in the world. My stuff without it certainly looked plastic. JH
Thanks guys..so far you're convincing me that powder coating is the way to go, at least you know with powder coating you're gunna get good coverage...which, on wires I know, is difficult to achieve with paint. Hey Harrison...those wheels look sweet!
My wires are also powdercoated, as well with clear. As stated above they look as good as paint and are more durable.
Thanks man but remember, if your wheels are pitted with rust, it will show once powdercoated. Not many filler options for pits & stuff like that. JH
the pits might show with the powder coat but the wheel gets more rock chips than you think so power coat will prob last alot longer.
Here are mine powder coated: It's just the color layer without any clear coat. I don't think they look like plastic...
Powder coated these 10 years ago. They are NOS and found them in the ba*****t of a tire store founded in 1927. Hubcaps are Briz Bumper units.
The clear coat will make a difference besides the look. They will be easier to keep clean as it is shineyer, therefore smoother. I'm not kidding, brake dust can smudge when cleaned off. Also, keep them wa**ed even though it seems unnessecary. The wax makes cleaning easier and you can't have too much shine. The agents of flat black will probably be waiting for me in the parking lot after work for that.
My K-H adj. spoked wires have been straight powdercoated for 8 years and look great, and I never thought they looked "plastic" either. And the durability is unmatched by paint. I've pressured washed mine, used harsh tire cleaners and even Bleche-White with no issues. Mine don't have so much as a chip in them and I've replaced the tires once in the 40K I've run them. My powder coater gave me a tip on filling pits. After sandblasting, fill the pits with some of the slow drying JB Weld. Just put some on your nitril gloved finger and wipe it in. Let it dry for a day or two and then powder coat it normally. It is much cheaper than the special fillers sold just for powdercoat and works fine. Powder coat alone will fill the small pits but they will really highlight the bigger ones unless they are filled. Make sure your powder coater doesn't skimp on the powder so you get rust where it's thin. I had a set of steel wheels done by someone else on and automated line and they got rust after the first winter. The e**tra clear would be good insurance to prevent that but if the color coat is heavy enough it isn't necessary.
I guess, powder coat it is then guys Thanks very much for all the great advise...and no...I have to say those wheels don't look plastic at all..thanks for posting the pics.
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