Wheel refinishing: Paint or powdercoat

[747DRVR]

I just bought a Delorean with dark grey wheels. Not the light grey from early cars but a dark grey.Even though the wheels are in great shape I would like to go back to the original silver. Are most restored wheels powder coated or painted? Does anyone have a paint code for the original silver?

[dn010]

I just bought a Delorean with dark grey wheels. Not the light grey from early cars but a dark grey.Even though the wheels are in great shape I would like to go back to the original silver. Are most restored wheels powder coated or painted? Does anyone have a paint code for the original silver?

Painted does not last long but will get you by for a while. Powder coated is expensive but the route you'll want to take if you want it to last for years and years without touching up.


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[Ron]

Check out post 18 in this thread:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?6674-Wheels-powder-coat-primer-painted-color-powder-coat-clear-finish

[Gfrank]

Painted does not last long but will get you by for a while. Powder coated is expensive but the route you'll want to take if you want it to last for years and years without touching up.


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A proper paint job should last just as long as powder coat, how ever I'm a painter and I'd still recommend powered coat as here atleast it's cheaper and easier to get down in the tight spots

[dn010]

When I say painted, I don't mean take a rattle can and spray it down. The tire needs to come off of course and it does need a proper paint job but I don't agree that it would last as long as powder coating. I wouldn't call myself a painter, but I've painted dozens of cars so experience plays a little roll. I painted my wheels for now until I can get them powder coated. My problems with this are - they scratch easily, my son was rolling an engine stand into the garage and accidentally nicked the rim, the paint scratched off to the powder coating under it. Cleaning the wheels with a brush makes the paint dull. Wheel weights take the paint off when installing/removing. You have to be careful not to scratch the paint when using a socket for the lug nuts. My original rims powder coating lasted 30+ years without any of these issues.

[DavidProehl]

I would start by creating a thread asking if someone wants to trade. Dark grey wheels are highly desirable to some owners since they are easier to keep looking clean. You may be able to find someone with wheels of the same quality, but are already silver, who is willing to trade.

[747DRVR]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will find a local powder coating shop. It would be great to find someone locally who would be willing to trade but I don't want to have to ship them off

[iflights]

Where are you located? I know a fantastic place for wheels in Chamblee, GA.

[Gfrank]

When I say painted, I don't mean take a rattle can and spray it down. The tire needs to come off of course and it does need a proper paint job but I don't agree that it would last as long as powder coating. I wouldn't call myself a painter, but I've painted dozens of cars so experience plays a little roll. I painted my wheels for now until I can get them powder coated. My problems with this are - they scratch easily, my son was rolling an engine stand into the garage and accidentally nicked the rim, the paint scratched off to the powder coating under it. Cleaning the wheels with a brush makes the paint dull. Wheel weights take the paint off when installing/removing. You have to be careful not to scratch the paint when using a socket for the lug nuts. My original rims powder coating lasted 30+ years without any of these issues.

I didn't expect you meant rattle can, but sounds to me like you have poor clear and adhesion problems. I've been in a body shop from about the age of 12

[dn010]

I didn't expect you meant rattle can, but sounds to me like you have poor clear and adhesion problems. I've been in a body shop from about the age of 12

I wrote the rattle can comment to clarify to OP. Whatever the problem is, it's only temporary until I find time to get them powder coated and figured I'd share my experience.

[papanoel]

Hervey has really nice finished wheels for a very reasonable price. The two way shipping can be pricey though.

[dn010]

Hervey has really nice finished wheels for a very reasonable price. The two way shipping can be pricey though.

Just beware:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14716-John-Hervey-Strikes-again

[Chris 16409]

Just for clarification, early VIN cars had the darker gray wheels and later VIN cars had the silver wheels.

[papanoel]

Just beware:
http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?14716-John-Hervey-Strikes-again

Yes defintely beware. I've had my share of issues with hervey as well (alternator that never worked and it was my fault). But I've seen the wheels he offers on 2 cars and they do look good.

[GR8SCOTT]

Does anyone know which powder coat color & brand to use if you want the dark gray wheels? I want mine to be as close to stock possible.

[Henrik]

FWIW, if you follow this link (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?6674-Wheels-powder-coat-primer-painted-color-powder-coat-clear-finish&p=99668&viewfull=1#post99668) you can see what I had done on my wheels way back in '06 and now 11 years later they STILL look great. (OK, I do admit that those wheels have never seen rain or any harsh conditions of any kind, but still...)