Powder Coating Wheels

[RayYay]

Hey guys

I have been considering powder coating my stock AP2 wheels black, but 2 places that I have checked said that they do not powder coat the center caps since it's made of plastic. Has anyone ever powder coated their wheels? What should I use to paint the center caps?

Here is a current and projected pic of my car. Sorry for the cheezy photoshop job but this is what I want my car to look like in the very near future. Any negative comments are welcome! I know some people think this is rice but I really like the look, especially since the cost won't be outrageous either. Just a simply drop, then paint wheels and calipers.

I'm just concerned what I'm gonna do about the center caps. I wish Honda made some in black.

NOW


HOPEFULLY SOON

[JDMHonda]

i spray painted my wheels looks the same and it only cost me 22 bucks compared to powdercoating for over 150.

[mlc]

I am sure you could have them (the center caps) painted.

Kevin

[RL1924]

Yea just get some spray paint no biggy go to autozone and pick some up, flat or gloss depending on how your getting the wheels done.

[RayYay]

So don't even pay to get them powder coated? Just spray paint em myself? That's what i wanted to avoid but looks like that may be the easiest route. How many coats did you put on? Any suggestions on which brand to use?

[JDMHonda]

duplicolors wheel paint is the best. I got flat black and did 3 coats between 30 minute intervals and this was when it was 100 degrees outside so you can say i baked it. and then i did 3 coats of clear because i wanted it really glossy. Get 3 cans of paint and 1 can of clear and your good to go. I didnt spray my plastic "h"s because i dont think itll look too good. Up to you though.

[RayYay]

Originally Posted by JDMHonda

duplicolors wheel paint is the best. I got flat black and did 3 coats between 30 minute intervals and this was when it was 100 degrees outside so you can say i baked it. and then i did 3 coats of clear because i wanted it really glossy. Get 3 cans of paint and 1 can of clear and your good to go. I didnt spray my plastic "h"s because i dont think itll look too good. Up to you though.

Thanks for the tips! Here's a stupid questions, did you take your tire off before spraying or just masked it off?

Do you have any pictures of your wheels? I wanna see how they look, especially with the center caps unpainted.

[RMurphy]

I was just recently looking into this same thing, so I thought I would share what I found. Hope this helps.

http://www.duplicolor.com/projects/howto_wheel.html

Duplicolor's web site has an entire how-to section. There is even a success story section and there's a testimonial from a woman there who posted a complete step by on her own web site http://gyrlspeedracingteam.com/How2.html. The S2Ki.com site also has a lot of info (past threads) on the topic as well.

Me, I'm probably going to take my wheels to Wheels America. http://www.wheelsamerica.com/

I just don't have a good place to be spraying my wheels here so it's not a DIY project for me.

[J'sS2K]

look good. you got a close pix?

[JDMHonda]

i took it off ray and this is what it looks like

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/g...3/DSCN1367.jpg

[Jim21680]

Ray, nice color choice on the car! I'd feel a little weird taking a can of spray paint to brand new wheels, but...good luck with it!

I'm sure you're aware that the stock pads dust like crazy. So, one more thing you might want to add to this little project is installing a set of ceramic pads. They won't stop as good, and you definitely won't want them for anything like track days or auto-x. But they're more than fine for street driving, and they wont ruin the caliper paint and wheel clear coat like the stock pads will.

[RayYay]

Originally Posted by Jim21680

Ray, nice color choice on the car! I'd feel a little weird taking a can of spray paint to brand new wheels, but...good luck with it!

I'm sure you're aware that the stock pads dust like crazy. So, one more thing you might want to add to this little project is installing a set of ceramic pads. They won't stop as good, and you definitely won't want them for anything like track days or auto-x. But they're more than fine for street driving, and they wont ruin the caliper paint and wheel clear coat like the stock pads will.

Thanks man! Yeah I feel the same way about spraying my brand new wheels, that's why I wanted to have them professionally done.

I am not too worried about the dust caused from the stock pads. I do not track or autoX my car, possibly 1 day but that's not something I do on a reg basis. Plus I only drive about 150-200 miles a month (if that). I also wash my car frequently.

[JDMHonda]

just letting you know, washing the car doesnt take the paint off. the only way it comes off is if u hit a curb or something.

[mlc]

Originally Posted by RayYay

Thanks for the tips! Here's a stupid questions, did you take your tire off before spraying or just masked it off?

Do you have any pictures of your wheels? I wanna see how they look, especially with the center caps unpainted.

One of the guys in your chapter had his powder coated and left the center caps stock. About half way down on this thread is some good pics http://forums.s2kca.com/showthread.php?t=25381.

Kevin

[MutantCheese]

My vote is for powder coating over the bomb can. I'll never understand how you can spend $30K+ on a fine sports car and then spray the wheels with a $4 can of paint? That's like putting on a Pep boy's build your own air intake system.

[lonestarbuzz]

Originally Posted by MutantCheese

That's like putting on a Pep boy's build your own air intake system.

i have one of those, my car dynoed at a 45 hp gain (to the wheels).