Paint or Powdercoat Rims: Discount Tire vs Alloy Wheel Repair Specialist?

[Jack Rabbit]

* EDITED: this thread started to find best rim repair/refinish shops. Also touches on paint versus powdercoat.*

Has anyone used either of the below for wheel refinishing / painting?
1.) Discount Tire
2.) Alloy Wheel Repair Specialist inc.

Both are national chains.

How is their pricing ?

Were you satisfied with the work?

How long did the refurbished rims last you?

Apparently Discount Tire will check the rims to make sure runs true before they repair/repaint. Plus I can use their credit card and maybe get a slight discount.

Are they(DT) reputable or would they tell you the rims are no good and get you to buy new rims?

Currently sent both email requests for quotes and am waiting for response.
Plan to get wheels/rims stripped, sanded, prepped and repainted or maybe even powder coated.

 

[murky]

I use 17" dimpled Mazda 3 wheels for my winter tires. I got them second hand, and one of them had a dent. Discount tire offered to have it repaired, maybe $150, but they do it through a 3rd party.

I found a used replacement for half that, so just bought another one.

 

[Jack Rabbit]

I use 17" dimpled Mazda 3 wheels for my winter tires. I got them second hand, and one of them had a dent. Discount tire offered to have it repaired, maybe $150, but they do it through a 3rd party.

I found a used replacement for half that, so just bought another one.

Wow that's alot just for a repair.

Thanks for the heads-up. Gonna wait for the estimate/quote from Alloy Wheel inc. and may just refinish them myself or buy new aftermarket rims.

 

[hal2]

Find a good local referral for Powder coating, a set of 5 will be in the neighborhood of $500. They usually refinish blemished/curb rash them as part of their service. Maybe check the regional boards fo something like Miata.net

 

[Jack Rabbit]

Find a good local referral for Powder coating, a set of 5 will be in the neighborhood of $500. They usually refinish blemished/curb rash them as part of their service. Maybe check the regional boards fo something like Miata.net

Thanks. Kind of hard to find. Hoping to find someone. Some locals don't do anymore because the refinish wasn't lasting(chipping off, etc.) Both places said that factory finishes are baked on therefore last longer and recommended trying to find a Shop that will bake after application.

Just picked up a set of Mazda tribute rims from reputable salvage yard that spin tests and only sells true wheels. Checked for bends and cracks. Pretty decent shape with some minor damage to face(and standard corrosion/rust) but am refinishing/repainting anyway. Can't beat $160 for four rims.

 

[hal2]

Some locals don't do anymore because the refinish wasn't lasting(chipping off, etc.) Both places said that factory finishes are baked on therefore last longer and recommended trying to find a Shop that will bake after application.

Did you mean they don't refinish or they don't powder coat. When I said 'refinish' as part of their service, I meant as part of their powder coating service.

By definition, a powder coat will have the same or better finish/adhesion.

Powder coating is a dry coating process used as a metal finish mostly on industrial equipment. Powder coating is applied as dry powder through an electrostatic process, then cured with heat. It is well known for providing high-quality finishes in terms of both functionality and overall look.

Powder coating is a high-quality finish found on thousands of products you come in contact with each day. Powder coating protects the roughest, toughest machinery as well as the household items you depend on daily. It provides a more durable finish than liquid paints can offer, while still providing an attractive finish. Powder coated products are more resistant to diminished coating quality as a result of impact, moisture, chemicals, ultraviolet light, and other extreme weather conditions. In turn, this reduces the risk of scratches, chipping, abrasions, corrosion, fading, and other wear issues.

 

[Jack Rabbit]

Did you mean they don't refinish or they don't powder coat. When I said 'refinish' as part of their service, I meant as part of their powder coating service.

By definition, a powder coat will have the same or better finish/adhesion.

Powder coating is a dry coating process used as a metal finish mostly on industrial equipment. Powder coating is applied as dry powder through an electrostatic process, then cured with heat. It is well known for providing high-quality finishes in terms of both functionality and overall look.

Powder coating is a high-quality finish found on thousands of products you come in contact with each day. Powder coating protects the roughest, toughest machinery as well as the household items you depend on daily. It provides a more durable finish than liquid paints can offer, while still providing an attractive finish. Powder coated products are more resistant to diminished coating quality as a result of impact, moisture, chemicals, ultraviolet light, and other extreme weather conditions. In turn, this reduces the risk of scratches, chipping, abrasions, corrosion, fading, and other wear issues.

Both... They said factory, etc, can bake paints and powder coats in industrial ovens at way hotter temperatures which results in stronger bond.

Sounds like I'll just need to find a big company that can do it right.

 

[Jack Rabbit]

Was able to find local place that will sandblast and powder coat for $100 per wheel and have several colors to choose from.
So for $500 can get all four plus the spare done.
Might be worth it instead of trying to clean and paint myself.
Hate to spend $$$ but sometimes it's just not worth the hassle to DIY.

Am thinking a dark grey unless they can do a matte black with a machined edge look.

 

[sm1ke]

Was able to find local place that will sandblast and powder coat for $100 per wheel and have several colors to choose from.
So for $500 can get all four plus the spare done.
Might be worth it instead of trying to clean and paint myself.
Hate to spend $$$ but sometimes it's just not worth the hassle to DIY.

Am thinking a dark grey unless they can do a matte black with a machined edge look.

The machined edge look should be possible, depending on the shop. The shop I plan to use when I refinish my wheels has done some pretty interesting stuff (two-tones, fades, machined accents).

WHEELS | ioncoating

wheel repair, powder coating, refinishing, rim repair

www.ioncoating.ca

 

[Jack Rabbit]

The machined edge look should be possible, depending on the shop. The shop I plan to use when I refinish my wheels has done some pretty interesting stuff (two-tones, fades, machined accents).

WHEELS | ioncoating

wheel repair, powder coating, refinishing, rim repair

www.ioncoating.ca

They do really nice work. Hope my shop can do that. Would be nice to see some of those on the cars.

 

[Jack Rabbit]

After some research.

Powdercoat positives:

1.) Durable finish

2.) Good for offroad

3.) Looks great.

4.) Lasts 20 years.

5. )Resistant to chips and scratches.

Negatives:

1.) If baked too hot(above 200° ??) could weaken the cast alloy wheels. Rims could crack or bend easier. Shop would need to guarantee rim cooked at lowest possible temp.

2.) Even if baked correctly at low temperature, powder coat traps heat inside rim and brake heat transference to wheel could weaken wheel and cause failure. Am thinking this is more of a racing/tracking issue than daily driver or Offroad.

3.) Powder coating can hide cracks in rims until it's too late.

4.) Cost more than paint finish.

5.) Adds approx. 1/2 lb weight per wheel. Not much but that's about 2 lbs for all four(4).

Some reviews say Powdercoat only safe for forged wheels and is safer to either paint, polish, or get black anodization on the cast or spun rims.

Has anyone had their wheels anodized ??

So now back to square one.

Have to decide whether positives outweigh negatives. And if the cast alloy stock wheels can handle the powder coat heat process.

whether paint or Powdercoat, may go with gunmetal gray, oil rubbed dark bronze, or a matte black with machined flange look.