To Paint or Powdercoat Steel Wheels

[Mark J.]

I have five correctly dated JK steel wheels on my 66 Corvette. They are in need of sandblasting and repainting, but I am also considering powdercoating for durability and look. Since I have never had anything powdercoated before, I am seeking your advice and experience in the following areas:

1. Durability. In your opinion, is the cost worth the effort to have the wheels powdercoated?
2. Degree of powdercoating. Can powdercoating be overdone?
3. Air leakage. Has anyone had problems keeping tires inflated due to powdercoated wheels?
4. Tire balance. Does powdercoating make it more difficult to balance the tires?
5. Wheel cover grip. Is powdercoating conducive to keeping the wheel covers on the car?
6. Future value. Will powdercoating hinder future buyers of original Corvette steel wheels from considering these? (or will they be considered bubba-ized?).
7. Alternatives. If powdercoating is not favored, which paints are most durable for application?

As you can tell, even I have reservations about the effort. Your input is appreciated.

MRJ

[Rob A.]

Re: To Paint or Powdercoat Steel Wheels

MRJ,

It looks like you've thought it out pretty well....in my opinion, you can't go wrong NOT powdercoating them. It can be overdone as you suggested, and if and when it does peel off, it will usually do so in large pieces. It can also, as you suggested change the fit of things. Can't go wrong painting them. I believe they were originally dipped in paint.

[Chuck S.]

Re: To Paint or Powdercoat Steel Wheels

If you are having the car judged, I would paint them if they can be seen. Otherwise, take the judging point loss into consideration for scoring.

I would recommend bead blasting rather than sand blasting. If a commercial sand blaster does the work, you will be left with a course texture that will be difficult to fill (atypical of original), and it may obliterate any stamps or markings that you want to preserve.

[Joe L.]

Re: To Paint or Powdercoat Steel Wheels

MRJ-----

Unless you plan on driving the car a lot in wet weather conditions, painting the wheels with a high quality paint is going to last for as long as you need it. In fact, it will probably last longer than the next owner will need it, too.

Powder coating is great, but it will leave a finish that looks a bit too "thick". If you paint over it, that won't diminish the "too thick" look; it will exacerbate it. If you were going to drive the car on a day-to-day basis, year round it might be worth doing. Otherwise, stripping and painting is the way to go.

Also, abrasive blasting methods are not really the best way to remove paint. I would try chemical strippers first. They will leave an original texture finish and are usually more effective in stripping paint. If there is any rust on the wheels (discernable after chemical stripping), you will need to otherwise remove it.

[Mark J.]

Good advice, all. Thank you. *NM*

[Ronnie Robertson # 36786]

A good coat of paint

will last another 50 years, satisfy judges, or the local cruise-in "experts". Your car will probably not see a lot of snow covered, salty road conditions. Paint will shand-up against a few rain showers, an occational washing, and the dreaded "Al Gore's global warming". Additionally, the damage done by installation and removal of the wheel covers can, if necessary, be easily repaired if painted (not so easily with PC).