Paint vs. Powdercoat Rims - HELP

[we350z]

Yeah I keep the wheels pretty clean. I scratched up the rears using my spikes spiders traction control devices in the snow since i didn't have them mounted far enough off the hub and my toyo's don't have that rubber lip.

These rims are already powder coated silver from the factory. I would say they are pretty durable but of course you can stil scratch the surface. I have some minor curb rash on the passenger front wheel.

I had some painted wheels before, they were cheap but the paint knocked right off when they hit it with the air wrench by mistake... This makes me weary about paint, but I'm sure if it's done properly it should be much more durable.

I think for $150 I got to go with the PC...

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

If you regularly clean your wheels and treat them with a nice wheel sealant I don't see why painting them with Clearcoat would be any less durable than powdercoating.

Its only 150 difference so not a huge deal, you've probably had the silver painted wheels for a while now and how has the paint job on them held up? Any clearcoat peeling? If not, I don't see why repainting them would be any less durable.

[we350z]

Nice z32! Check out my '93!

Originally Posted by tmv

Paint & Clearcoat just like factory finish.

[bcredliner]

PC is more durable than paint will ever be. Nothing will survive a curb jumping into the way. A good painter could touch up paint but not PC. I have never tried plasticote but working through the website it seems like a very inexpensive and a easy DIY. They have a charcoal gray that may be close to what you want. Plasitcote is also very easy to redo or repair a defect. You can purchase a kit to fix road rash. I would look around for other PC providers if that is the route you go. In Dallas the cost to repair road rash and/or bent rims, coat and clearcoat and balance tires is $125 per wheel and you can pick up the X the next day. Seems to me the value equation is cost, durability, cost to repair, beauty. ie--PC would be high cost, best durability, high cost of repair, and best looking (subjective).

[mrbmwx5]

Originally Posted by we350z

So powder coat plus clear coat on top? Is the clearcoat sprayed on I take it? What color do you have? I am looking for something close to that. What did you pay?

I had mine done in anthracite .
They did PC with clear coat bake it on ..
http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...eels-done.html

[we350z]

Ok screw the pc I'm going to plastidip instead!