Hey there,

I just got back from getting an estimate to paint my steel rims.  They are starting to discolor and bordering on some rust.  Body shop guy (who I know fairly well) suggested having them stripped down ad powdercoated.  So, two questions:

Paint or powdercoat?

If powdercoart, clearcoat or not?

Thanks for the help.

MAtt

Depends on what you want.
Originally, factory rims were completely painted black, then the fronts were painted silver(or "Argent Silver", depending on year). If you're wanting to stay with the orig. look, that's the way to go. If you want something that will last practicaly forever, go with the powder coat. Be aware, tho, that the powder coat is thicker, and may cause a problem with the center cap and the trim rings fitting properly, depending on the amount of paint applied.
I went to my local paint supplier, and had them mix up two quarts of the correct silver for my rims(poly-urethane/enamel), and painted them myself, after cleaning the rims. That was 7 years ago, and they still look fine.

Many of our sponsors  sell the correct "silver" in a spray can

I did the spare -then clear coated it - looks like factory new

Just a thought

Big Al

Strong liklihood of causing problems getting the center hub and ring to fit?

 

yes, Jole is right on that if the paint is too thick, because the center cap and trim rings snap onto the rims. so there may be a problem snapping them on and you would have to scrape the paint off till they fit.

Thanks

 

 

I had mine sand blasted and primed with an epoxy (I think - can't recall for sure) gray paint then I spray painted them) - several coats of black on reverse and argent silver on front. Process went well. No problem with rims or hubs fitting. However - I had it in the shop and the mecahnic tried to remove a rear wheel - wheel nut required an air hammer to break it free - if I had been on the side of the road, I'd never have gotten it loose!!! I had let them bake in the midwest sun (lived in Kansas at the time) and thought they were fully dried. I'd reccomend loosening and re-tightening your wheel nuts several times after painting and putting them on the car.

I had a frozen lug on the side of the road once.

Now I use a little silver anti-seize on the studs before I put the lugs on.

Never had a problem since.

Anthony

I'm very pleased with the way the powder coat came out on my rally wheels. The powdercoater baked on silver, then applied very fine metal flake and baked them again, made them sparkle. I've seen some done in the car color which looks good as well. Now if you are going for a correct NCRS look, don't do this. Originally the rims were argent silver on the outside and semi-gloss black on the inside with some silver overspray.