Average Cost to Powder Coat Wheels: What to Know

Solar Shade Blogger • Oct 25, 2022

Are you thinking about investing in powder coating? Are you wondering about the budget? Read on to find out about the average cost to powder coat wheels.

For those who can't afford custom wheel rims, powder coating can be a more affordable alternative route to getting beautiful rims. This is a process where auto detailing technicians apply colored powder to the rims. The technicians use an electric charge to stick the powder to the surface and then "bake" the rims to get a quality, durable coating.

Even though powder coating rims is cheaper than custom rims, the process may still cost more than you expect. To make sure you know what you're getting into, read on to learn about the average cost to powder coat wheels.

The Average Cost to Powder Coat Wheels

There's no one exact answer to the question of how much to powder coat rims. Rather, there's a fairly wide range of prices. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $125 per rim.

This may seem expensive, even at the lower end. However, there are a lot of factors that go into the final cost of powder coating.

The Size of the Rims

The bigger the wheel rim, the more expensive it is to powder coat it. This isn't the case just because the process of powder coating a larger rim requires more material. It can also be difficult for auto detailing technicians to handle the wider, heavier rims.

Technicians will have to put more effort into moving rims that are around 18 to 20 inches in diameter. They'll also need to give rims of these sizes special treatment. Bigger rims may need to be handled one at a time and hung on special hooks.

The Quality of the Powder Coating

No two powder-coating products should be the same. One will probably be more durable and attractive than the other after the application process. Usually, the better quality products are the more expensive ones.

Something to keep in mind, though, is that you'll likely end up paying less overall if you pay for the higher-quality product first. You can end up paying the cost of powder coating several times, as the lower-quality product will wear down much faster.

The Cost of Professional Application

One major factor in the final cost of powder coating is the price of professional application. Professional auto detailers usually have years of valuable experience and knowledge. While the price of these professionals can get expensive, you get a guarantee of high-quality work in exchange for the price.

There are ways that you can apply a powder coating to your wheel rims yourself. This can be a cheaper alternative to paying professionals to handle the work. However, there are many disadvantages to handling the process this way.

DIY Kits Are Not the Same as Professional Services

Proper powder coating requires specialized equipment that average vehicle owners are usually not able to get their hands on without great expense. The usual DIY solution that they can access is a material such as Plasti-Dip. This can work, but as it isn't the same as powder coating, vehicle owners shouldn't expect the same result.

Certain Materials Require Special Considerations

If you were given aluminum and steel rims, would you be able to tell the difference between the two materials? You may not be able to, but a professional can identify different types of metals quickly. It's important to know this difference, as aluminum and steel can react differently to different powder coatings.

If you didn't know this difference or how to treat different materials, you're likely to end up with a poorer quality final application. This factor proves the importance of having the knowledge and experience of a professional on your side.

The Amount of Prep Work

When you pay the powder coating price, you're not just paying professionals to spray a coat of paint onto your wheel rims. There's a lot more work involved than it may seem. These steps ensure proper powder coat adhesion and appearance.

Remove Any Existing Surface Materials and Defects

The wheel rims are first soaked in a chemical stripping solution. Afterward, they are placed in a kiln to bake and then blasted with aluminum oxide. This removes all previously existing residue, contaminants, paint, and coating from the surface.

Even after this process, there may still be a fair amount of rash, chips, pitting, and corrosion on the rim's surface. The technician will shave these off with a polishing wheel and then follow this up with a thorough buffering.

Preparing the Rim for Painting

After applying thermal tape to the sections on the rim that won't be coated, the technician will apply a base coat to the surface. He or she will then bake the rim and the base coat for a short duration.

After the rim cools down, technicians will then apply a second and transparent coat. Once they complete this, they will then bake the rim again for about 30 to 40 minutes. After they complete this, they will remove all tape, hooks, and plugs before giving the wheels valve stems and wrapping them in fresh rubber.

The Benefits of Rim Powder Coating Near Me

The final thing to keep in mind about the price is that high-quality powder coating offers several benefits to the vehicle owner. Not only will a powder coating add a bit of flair to your wheel rims, but it will also keep them well-protected. A powder coating will help your wheel rims resist all of the environmental factors that can lead to dents and scratches.

Get High-Quality Powder Coating and Other Auto Detailing Services From Us

The long and short of it is that to get the best-looking vehicle, you will need to spend money. However, the average cost to powder coat wheels will be worth the confidence boost you'll get from driving such a beautiful vehicle.

If you're ready to powder coat your wheels or get any other kind of auto detailing treatment, consider using our services. Solar Shade Window Tint offer a wide variety of auto detailing services in Jackson and Lake City. Fill out this form and get a free estimate for your next auto detailing project.

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