pnpjrm

Hey gang,
I want to have my 18" AMG rims painted black.
I would rather not buy new rims because I like the design of these.

Question is....Paint or powdercoat?

I've heard powercoat subjects the wheels to high temps which could affect its physical properties.

Tips or suggestions? I'd like to figure out whichever one is more durable and would be less inclined to chip with highway rocks...etc.

AMGTTV8

Well if your criteria are strictly based on durability of the finish i think you know which way to go...

i dont think painting is the right way to do it if powder coating is a viable option for you...

pnpjrm

Thanks for the input.

I've been reading that powdercoat is more susceptible to chips, but paint will scratch. It sounds like both have their faults.

I have a black C300 so matching paint shouldn't be hard. I have heard to go with a satin or matte finish. Not to go glossy with the finish.

AMGTTV8

dude if you powdercoat your wheels you can take a hammer and smack the rim and chances are it won't break off...

trust, dont go with the paint.

tanktube67

Go powdercoat.

Krytech

I agree. Powdercoat FTW!

CrAZyVeGAsBoY

yeah theres a reason why most rims are powdercoated vs painted, and powedercoated looks wayyyy better, well at least IMO but up to u.

ctgilles

Yes if they're painted it will peel or damage very quickly. AMG rims only look good in OEM finish IMO.

jaseng

i have had mine power coated for close to a year . . . and love them! easy to clean, no scratches, and no problems! consistently getting compliments on them!

Derspeed

Dont worry about the heat. The temp for powdercoat is 450 Fahrenheit. Wet paint has to be baked as well (at a lower temp). If you get wet paint, make sure you take it to a wheel shop and not a body shop. I have had many, many sets of wheels refinished. Done correctly, both methods gave good results.

pnpjrm

Thanks I'm thinking I will go with the powdercoat. Most of the shops that I have contacted want the tires taken off the wheels and will not do it themselves? WTF? How do I pull that off?

I have to get a seperate shop to take my tires off for me?
Then I guess I'll just sit the car on some cinderblocks in the front yard! ha ha

mthis

whats the price for powdercoating the rims?

GHAZAN

Any good powdercoating places in Southern CA?

Robbio204

Anyone powdercoat the 18 Amg ones? and have pics?

Azn_C300

Take it to HMS in Westminster.

nrgy

I looked into having my wheels powdercoated, and after viewing some samples I wasn't that impressed with the finish. It just seemed to look more like an industrial finish like you would see on a tractor or heavy duty machinery rather than something you would find on a luxury car. Even the powdercoaters thought I was crazy to want to powdercoat over the oem paint finish. They ended up talking me out of it. But my experience is limited.