If you are looking to improve the overall look of your wheels, powder coating is a great cost-effective option you can choose. Powder coating rims essentially involves spraying an electrically bonded powder onto the metal and baking it to help it fuse and form a strong coating. Most metals that can be easily powder coated include aluminium, electroplated steel, mild steel, galvanised steel, stainless steel and steel alloys.
While powder coating is mainly used on steel objects, it can also be applied on certain types of plastics and medium-density fibreboard.
Powder coating wheels might seem quite daunting to those who do not know what to expect. The truth is it can be advantageous in several ways. These include:
While driving, your wheel rims are going to be exposed to a lot of external factors that can make them prone to chipping, flaking or corrosion. Powder coating the wheel rims offers an added layer of protection, which helps them withstand harsh conditions. This coating is long lasting and offers quality colour durability, so it will not only offer protection but will also leave your wheels looking fantastic.
Most liquid finishes or standard paint coverings tend to have solvents containing pollutants which are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs can be quite harmful to your lungs and are highly problematic for the ozone layer. The good thing about powder coating your wheels is that the ‘powder’ contains no solvents whatsoever. It is also much easier to recycle the leftover powder as opposed to leftover paint.
Some alloy wheel rims have complex designs, which make it difficult to reach certain nooks and crannies with standard paint. However, alloy wheel powder coating is proven to provide better coverage especially in difficult-to-reach places of the wheel rim.
While most standard paint jobs usually cost less, you may need to get fresh coats redone over time, which will ultimately cost you a lot more. As for powder coating, the effects are a lot more durable and long lasting, meaning that you will be making a quality investment for your wheel rims.
While there are many benefits to powder coating wheels, there are some factors to consider before you opt for this method.
Usually, powder coating wheels is a quick process that doesn’t take more than 40 minutes. In some cases, it could take up to 2 hours though. The application time mostly depends on factors such as the condition of your wheels, the type of material of the rims and the curing equipment used. Our Lightning Laser team has valuable knowledge about the equipment, metals, plastics and MDFs used by our clients, including standard wheel rims. To better determine how long a powder coat may take for you, get an expert opinion from our experienced specialists.
The short answer is yes, you can re-powder coat your wheels. But again, there are some factors to consider beforehand. Usually, powder coating works best on new or clean surfaces. Even if your previous layer is even, re-powder coating may not be the best solution. This is because you also need to consider the compatibility of the powders being used. Since different chemistry goes into various powder coatings, not all of them will be compatible with one another. In this case, it is usually recommended to scrape off the previous coating before applying a new one. However, this process can be more time consuming and costly, so you will need to take this into consideration as well.
It is definitely possible to polish your powder coated wheels, but you must know how to do it correctly. The best way is to start by mixing a cup of detergent with a full bucket of water. Then use a clean rag to gently wipe the powder-coated surface. Make sure to clean off all the cleaning solution thoroughly. After this, use another clean rag to apply a polishing compound specifically designed for powder coated surfaces. After it dries, wipe away any excess and finish by applying a coat of automobile wax.
At Lightning Laser, we are dedicated to providing our clients with the best possible service that is guaranteed to be worth your time and money. With years of experience, our specialists have all the knowledge required to offer you expert advice and opinions on what you need. For powder coating wheels in Melbourne and other powder coating information, contact us today!
