gavc Posted 1June, 2021 Report Share Posted 1June, 2021 Has anyone had their wheels powder coated and found they had a real rough finish, almost like orange peel, but throughout the wheel. The shop that did it offered to re do them, but I believe they just put a clear coat over the top as it looked the same just with a glossy coat. They said it must be the wheel because it looks smooth before paint but once painted it looks like the photos below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 1June, 2021 Report Share Posted 1June, 2021 Did they strip them prior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 1June, 2021 Report Share Posted 1June, 2021 My old bike rim centres had the same orange peel effect. They also said it was the rims, and I should have had them polished smooth first if I wanted a smooth finish. As the lips were already polished, the powder coating was really good, so I'd say they're probably right...or I just bought their bullshit 😅 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavc Posted 1June, 2021 Author Report Share Posted 1June, 2021 They claim they sandblasted them first, and they look smooth, but once painted they no longer look smooth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 1June, 2021 Report Share Posted 1June, 2021 9 minutes ago, gavc said: They claim they sandblasted them first, and they look smooth, but once painted they no longer look smooth Sandblasting is really abrasive for alloy wheels and can result in the surface being anything but smooth. Finishing can also be varied depending on how thorough they are and the grade of sand used, like in the wheel nut areas looks like it hasn’t been stripped as well as it should. When refinishing wheels, I prefer to have them acid dipped for stripping. Totally non abrasive and gives a smooth, clean surface for paint. tomo and Shedpest 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomo Posted 1June, 2021 Report Share Posted 1June, 2021 Yep have to agree sandblasting on alloy and car panels is a specialist skill, And not all blasters have it.As far as the finish goes it looks like the powder has not blended into itself , Maybe neg pos charge incorrect, Not baked at right temp, What ever the reason its a poor result. Shedpest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavc Posted 2June, 2021 Author Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 Thanks for the advise Hugh and Tomo, They are offering to put another coat on, but I am asking them to fix it by stripping it and polishing it properly before painting and check their powder coating process. I get the feeling they are new at this, but I did pay top dollar for them to do this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redracn Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 I would never recommend powder coating wheels. When it chips it does so in large deep pits and it is also easily damaged by fracturing when fitting wheels. Ask me how I know. Putting on another coat would just make these issues so much worse. LeeM 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevepGT3 Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 1 hour ago, Redracn said: I would never recommend powder coating wheels. When it chips it does so in large deep pits and it is also easily damaged by fracturing when fitting wheels. Ask me how I know. Putting on another coat would just make these issues so much worse. Agree 100% mine looked worse after 1000 km than the original paint was after 30,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian in buddina Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 2 hours ago, Redracn said: I would never recommend powder coating wheels. When it chips it does so in large deep pits and it is also easily damaged by fracturing when fitting wheels. Ask me how I know. Putting on another coat would just make these issues so much worse. Would you then recommend a simple home prep, cheapo spray can & clear sealer? Easier to fix when you scrape that kerb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 Vapour blasting is a helluva lot better, as its much less abrasive than sand or other media blasting. I also have to agree that I probably wouldn't get rims powder coated again, as @Redracn mentioned, once they're chipped, you have to get them powder coated again 42 minutes ago, brian in buddina said: Would you then recommend a simple home prep, cheapo spray can & clear sealer? Easier to fix when you scrape that kerb. That's what I do. Coupla $8 cans of White Knight and ya done 👍 But I'm far from particular, so its no real surprise 😁 brian in buddina 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arnage Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 To my eye that finish looks more like an issue with the powder coating process rather than how smooth the surface is that is to be coated. Have you asked them (or other companies) how it should look? They would have sample swatches for you to handle and look at of finishes they offer? brian in buddina 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomo Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 6 hours ago, gavc said: I get the feeling they are new at this, but I did pay top dollar for them to do this Yep, The guys are right, Another coat will leave a deep hole if chiped or a tyre lever slips, If they strip the old powder off (big job in its self) a binder coat of epoxy and a top coat of poly will last for years and easy to repair if damaged, Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redracn Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 2 hours ago, brian in buddina said: Would you then recommend a simple home prep, cheapo spray can & clear sealer? Easier to fix when you scrape that kerb. No. Even if done well the paints typically used can not handle some of the cleaners used on wheels. Ask me how I know a spray can of 2K clear will dissolve in Turtle bug and tar remover. brian in buddina 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter M Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 3 hours ago, brian in buddina said: Would you then recommend a simple home prep, cheapo spray can & clear sealer? Easier to fix when you scrape that kerb. Brian, Unlike Red I've had very good success with the spray can wheel paints sold by Supercheap and Repco. If the prep is good, they look good and are very durable. I think the secret is thorough cleaning with wax and grease remover before and after sanding. I've also found using 3M ultra fine grade Scotch-Bright pads a quick way of preparing existing good surfaces for repainting and easier than using abrasive paper. brian in buddina 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redracn Posted 2June, 2021 Report Share Posted 2June, 2021 24 minutes ago, Peter M said: Brian, Unlike Red I've had very good success with the spray can wheel paints sold by Supercheap and Repco. If the prep is good, they look good and are very durable. I think the secret is thorough cleaning with wax and grease remover before and after sanding. I've also found using 3M ultra fine grade Scotch-Bright pads a quick way of preparing existing good surfaces for repainting and easier than using abrasive paper. I’ve had no problems with the painting using spray can or the outcomes. My issue was the chemical resistance. I spray Turtle tar and bug remover all over my cars with no effect at all even the standard wheels no issues. But when applied to a wheel I touched up using a 2K the surface went soft and was deformed when I whipped it off with a micro fibre cloth leaving permanent damage. While it’s entirely likely some can paints could be better than others in this regard I will stick to getting full wheel restores done using genuine automotive paints and processes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavc Posted 9July, 2021 Author Report Share Posted 9July, 2021 Thanks everyone for your help, they took back the wheels and refinished "in a different paint" and they look amazing now! Now to decide if I sell them or throw some tyres on them for the track. Fishcop, tomo and hugh 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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