A revamp on those rims will go a long way, no matter how old or beat up your car is. Most powder coatings are made of polymers and pigments; powder coating is durable and won’t peel or chip if your rims are scratched. It’s about time you did something about that old worn out, appearance of your rims! Unlike paint, the final result will be a smooth, long-lasting finish.
Maintaining rims with a powder coat finish is no hassle because they are lacquered like painted ones. How much will the process cost? The powder coating price can vary depending on whether you DIY or take the rims to a professional. Here is a how-to powder coat rims for beginners.
What Tools Do I Need To Powder Coat Rims?
Before we start the steps, let’s prepare! Make sure you have everything you need and enough room to work. The following powder coating equipment and tools will be helpful;
- Powder coating gun
- Booth
- Oven
- Sander
- Drill
- Respirator
- Dremel
- Jack
- Safety goggles
- Buffing wheel compound
- Lung Rench
- A pair of leather gloves
How Do I Powder Coating Rims?
Step 1: Remove the Tires
It’s time to take the tires off the rim. You just need a jack and lug wrench. After that, use a hot pressure washer to get rid of all the grime and dirt.
Step 2: Sandblast
Sandblast your rims to remove corrosion; if you want a perfect finish and the powder coating to bond, you must remove every trace of old paint and coating. Take your time sandblasting, as it results in a higher-quality finish. Otherwise, your powder coat will chip and peel.
Step 3: Check For Damage
Now let’s check for cracks in the rims. Repair any damage on the rim edges, face, or elsewhere with alloy tig welding, paying careful attention to the lip area. You can use different methods and tools to machine and complete by hand.
Step 4: Powder Coat
In this step, sandblasted rims must hit the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Yep! The alloy will de-gas as a result. Apply the primer. It helps the top coat adhere more mechanically to the rim. When the rims have cooled to 150 degrees, spray them with the desired color and finish, and cure them in the oven for 40 minutes.
Finish by applying a coat of clear varnish and baking the rim for another 20 minutes at 200 degrees.
Step 5: Cure and Allow To Cool
By curing the wheels, you can rest assured that you’ll get a perfect finish and that the powder coat will not run. Leave it to cool down once it has been cured in the oven, and there you have it. Good as new! Right?
Take Away
You must consider that powder painting your rims may be more complex than you’d imagine. Powder coating can be tedious and time-consuming, so keep that in mind if you decide to DIY. Powder coatings are susceptible to chipping, flaking, and corrosion, so do it right. Despite its eco-friendliness, you must take some precautions to avoid breathing in the powder and having it come into contact with your skin.
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