Paint or Powdercoat wire wheels?

Which finish is better in your opinion? I always thought powdercoating was more durable but a good few people don't think so. I would love to paint my wire wheels buy my painter said that paint wont stick to the chrome properly, is this true?, if it is true would sandblasting the wheels before painting give a better surface for the paint to stick to?

I don't really know for sure, but I would assume that it is darn near impossible to get paint to stick to the spokes properly.

If your feeling ambitious you could take apart your wheels, paint or powder the rim only and then reassemble them. Always been a fan of that look. Recently did it my self, rims and hubs were powdercoated gloss black.

DoctoRot wrote: If your feeling ambitious you could take apart your wheels, paint or powder the rim only and then reassemble them. Always been a fan of that look. Recently did it my self, rims and hubs were powdercoated gloss black.

That looks great Doc! I'm glad someone had some info to share with the poster

Powdercoat all the way! If you chip the paint it's easier to fix but I doubt you will ever chip the powdercoat.
Before


After


On the bike

Thats the thing, i have chipped powdercoat before. Well, only some small stone chips & a couple of marks that the tyre fitter made.

I talked to a painter that has painted spoked rims before, he uses an etch primer for chrome & has had good success

I'll still be powdercoating my frame though, just a choice between Matt & Gloss! :lol:

just buy em already powdercoated and lace it urself, Buchannans' has a nice selection among others

stonemaster wrote: just buy em already powdercoated and lace it urself, Buchannans' has a nice selection among others

Sounds like qa big expense!

the chrome will need to be stripped, so buying them already coated well, check with the powdercoater and see, yes powder coated will chip, but I've heard good things about the ceramic, havent tried personally yet

Then how much was it to get your rim trued again. If you know how then what's the secret?

dizl27 wrote: Then how much was it to get your rim trued again. If you know how then what's the secret?

Rim trued? I'm not quite sure i understand how you mean that question

Truing a wheel is when you make it straight. after lacing it up you spin it and find where its out of alignment. Its easier to do than to explain. :blink: