Alloy Wheel Powder Coating: What is it?

Alloy wheel powder coating can be a great alternative to traditional alloy recolouring methods such as painting. Often due to its positive environmental implications, and great durability, many customers today are choosing powder coating as their desired service. 

Some customers often choose this service as having alloys refurbished or coloured can increase the value of your vehicle.  

What is Alloy Wheel Powder Coating?

Alloy wheel powder coating is the process during which your wheels are sprayed with a powder, usually polymer-based, for the purpose of recolouring the wheels. 

Powder coating is applied electrostatically, which means the coating forms a bond with the surface of the wheel. The process is usually finished with an intense heat treatment to secure the application of the powder, either in an oven or a kiln. This service comes in a wide variety of colours and finishes, meaning we are confident that we can find the right design to suit you.

Alloy Wheel Powder Coating: Pros and Cons

Alloy wheel powder coating is very popular due to the environmental and durability features it comes with:

Pros: 

• Environmentally friendly – Powder coating provides a much greener alternative to painting alloys. Being a dry powder, the coating does not contain any solvents, emitting almost no ‘volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs). This method also produces no hazardous waste.
  
  Any powder coating which doesn’t end up on the alloy surface is collected for reuse. Alloy wheels which have been powder coated can also be recycled, as the coating can be removed from the wheels when they are no longer in use. Read more about alloy wheel recycling.
  

• High durability – The strong electrostatic bond which is formed between powder and wheel means that it is unlikely for scratches and scuffs to form unless the car is involved in a major incident – in which case the powder coating is likely the least of your worries!
  
  Powder coating often lasts around 10 – 15 years, significantly more than paintjobs, which usually only last 6-12 months.
  

• Money saving – Long term, powder coating is a better financial decision for you. Upfront costs are often more expensive than standard paintwork, but due to the durability, and long-lasting nature of powder coating, you most likely won’t have to get them touched up, ever! A worthy investment for sure.
  

Despite this extensive list of positives that come with powder coating, we urge you to consider some of the drawbacks too:

Cons: 

• Not suitable for intricate designs – Powder coating is much thicker than normal paint. This means that if your alloys have very intricate designs or small gaps in areas, the coating could impact the look of your wheels.
  
  The technique is still appropriate for the majority of alloys, but it is just important to consider this point upfront, to avoid making a decision you are ultimately unhappy with.
  

• Upfront costs can vary – if you are after a unique colour for your project, the upfront cost might be much higher. This is because suppliers charge large amounts for small batches of the powder substance.
  
  So, if your engineer has nothing else to paint with the same colour, they may ask you to cover the cost of this small-batch fee. 

• Low repairability – As mentioned, powder coating is a much more durable method for colouring wheels. However, in the unlikely event that your wheel gets scuffed or scratched, it is harder to rectify than traditional paint jobs. This is due to the more uneven nature of a powder coat making it difficult to fill in small gaps. 

Should you use Alloy Wheel Powder Coating?

You should use alloy wheel powder coating in most scenarios. For a durable, environmentally sound, and financially preferable solution, powder coating is everything you need. As discussed above, there are a number of advantages to powder coating which make it an easy decision, most of the time. 

However, as always, we encourage you to consider the disadvantages as well as the advantages. If you are more interested in lower upfront costs, or have a very intricate alloy wheel, it might be better to look at standard paintwork. 

For expert advice, or any general enquiry, feel free to contact us via email at: 

website@alloywheelrepair.services 

Diamond Cut vs Powder Coating Alloy Wheels

Diamond cut alloy wheels give a different type of finish to powder coated. Diamond cut wheels are shinier, often more visually appealing/standout. It is thanks to this prestigious look that brands such as Mercedes and BMW often opt for a diamond cut finish. 

After being painted in your desired colour, diamond cut wheels are placed on lathes and methodically cut across to give an impressive, almost CD-like appearance. 

Diamond cut wheels offer a different appearance and level of required maintenance to powder coated wheels. 

In terms of appearance, diamond cut wheels have sections with a smooth, metallic finish. On the other hand, powder coated wheels have a consistent appearance all over, with no contrast or variation. 

When it comes to maintenance, diamond cut wheels are much more likely to obtain scrapes or scratches, despite often being applied with a high-quality sealant. This may mean higher maintenance costs/effort for you if you opt for diamond cutting.