[coupeguyz51]

I think all of us who have them are agreed that putting car paint on the Z51 black wheels was a bad idea as far as durability and ease of cleaning goes....

So, the only option I have read about to upgrade the stock wheels is to powder coat them....is there another option I have not heard about?
If powder coating is the only way to go with the stock wheels:

- does that really noticeably improve durability from road trash? If so, how much?
- does it make the wheels any easier to clean?
- and finally, what is a fair price to powder coat each wheel?

Aftermarket wheels....if you want to stay with the black wheel theme, who makes the best wheels in terms of looks and durability? (I realize the looks part is very subjective, so if any have them and can post that would help)....
What did you pay for the wheels you like?
Are they easier to clean? Why?

 

[rrigia]

If they are the stock painted aluminum wheels it is best not to powder coat them. The intense heat may ruin the integrity of the wheel. I got this informationfrom a chemical engineer who was actually built his own cars. I elected to have mine painted black instead.

 

[glen e]

If they are the stock painted aluminum wheels it is best not to powder coat them. The intense heat may ruin the integrity of the wheel. I got this informationfrom a chemical engineer who was actually built his own cars. I elected to have mine painted black instead. View attachment 12953

This is simply not true.....our powder coat expert mark comment on this....

http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum...ing-my-wheel-option-opinions-2.html#post84346

 

[Milliwatt Rob]

I always thought the process involved electrical charges to attract the paint to the wheel, and not "intense heat" that would affect integrity of the wheel. As there are places that do this process every day, I assume they know how to do it without degrading the wheel.

 

[rdslon01]

If I understand correctly, powder coating requires temperatures in the 350-400 degree Fahrenheit range. In other words, it is no hotter than baking a cake, and is actually cooler than baking potatoes.

I would have no fear of wheels being ruined at a temperature where even bakeware is fine. Even at two to three times that temperature aluminum will not melt.

 

[rdslon01]

I always thought the process involved electrical charges to attract the paint to the wheel, and not "intense heat".

That is correct, but you must heat the powder to get it to melt.

 

[greggshere]

If I understand correctly, powder coating requires temperatures in the 350-400 degree Fahrenheit range. In other words, it is no hotter than baking a cake, and is actually cooler than baking potatoes.

I would have no fear of wheels being ruined at a temperature where even bakeware is fine. Even at two to three times that temperature aluminum will not melt.

This is true, most powder coat flows out at 350 - 400 degrees. I used to have a small powder coating business a few years ago. Powder coat is not going to hurt the wheels. I'm still waiting for a member to do some true black chrome on some wheels on either of the gray cars.

 

[U.S. Marine]

coupeguyzZ51, reads like it would be safe to Powder Coat your wheels. I've never had an item done myself, but from what I've seen Powder Coat looks like it has a better finish than paint and I think it is more durable. Take your time and have it done right the first time.

SF
Rick

 

[mjw930]

Call Chris at TPJ, http://www.technicalpainting.com. He can tell you all about the process and give you a quote on coating your factory wheels. The price starts at around $75 / wheel depending on how much prep work is needed.

Another myth is the wheels need to be stripped to bare metal for the process to work, that's simply not true. The surface just needs to be smooth and clean. The charged particles will be attracted to the surface the same way a magnet works when a non ferrous object is placed between it and the ferrous metal its attracted to, just like the fridge magnets holding up your kids latest masterpiece.

 

[vabuckeye]

I'm replacing mine withe HRE wheels powder coated gloss black. Where I live, I don't have anyone remotely close to me that could powder coat my stock rims for me.

 

[TwoDoggs]

When I had my car treated with CQuartz Finest, I also had the wheels treated. This seems to have made them somewhat resistant to building up too much road grime and brake dust, and they are very easy to clean. I doubt it helps with pitting over time.

 

[glen e]

When I had my car treated with CQuartz Finest, I also had the wheels treated. This seems to have made them somewhat resistant to building up too much road grime and brake dust, and they are very easy to clean. I doubt it helps with pitting over time.

correct, no coating will stop a rock ding...but they are easier to wash...

 

[phinman]

When I had my car treated with CQuartz Finest, I also had the wheels treated. This seems to have made them somewhat resistant to building up too much road grime and brake dust, and they are very easy to clean. I doubt it helps with pitting over time.

Agreed. I did CQuartz on the wheels and on the calipers. It makes cleaning so easy.

 

[Liner Boy]

Agree, with CQuartz on the wheels, it makes cleaning a breeze!

 

[PoconoG]

This is true, most powder coat flows out at 350 - 400 degrees. I used to have a small powder coating business a few years ago. Powder coat is not going to hurt the wheels. I'm still waiting for a member to do some true black chrome on some wheels on either of the gray cars.

I'm looking into the black chrome..... Depends on my powder coating expert's opinion. And my wife. Lol.

 

[krauty]

go to your local bodyshop and ask them who does their wheel repair.when they repair the wheels they have to be repowder coated and these guys do a fantastic job.usually quick easy and close to your location.just a thought !

 

[Mack]

This is true, most powder coat flows out at 350 - 400 degrees. I used to have a small powder coating business a few years ago. Powder coat is not going to hurt the wheels. I'm still waiting for a member to do some true black chrome on some wheels on either of the gray cars.

Greg. Please tell me about true black chrome. I am very interested.
Thanks.

 

[Storminnorman]

I just got approval from my local dealership to have my wheels repainted under warranty. Thinking about changing from silver/aluminum to black. It will be no charge to stay the same, but I will have to pay a little extra to go to black.

 

[rdslon01]

I just got approval from my local dealership to have my wheels repainted under warranty. Thinking about changing from silver/aluminum to black. It will be no charge to stay the same, but I will have to pay a little extra to go to black.

What happened to your wheels to cause you to need to repaint them under warranty?

 

[Storminnorman]

Every wheel was pitted on the leading edge of every spoke.