powder coating is when they cover your wheels in tiny little coloured plastic particles, which they then heat treat and "melt" onto your wheels. It gives a thicker finish which in my opinion is less prone to scratching and decolourisation. It can be cheaper than painting as the powder coating will cover some small blemishes without having to strip and repair them.

 

oh right so the powdercoating is more durable then.

 

Powdercoating is a very durable finish. However its not much good for anything that is exposed to the elements.

Powercoated finished flake off at the slightest sign of oxidation on the surface of the wheel.

I.E. the wheels will be fine if powdercoated, but as soon as there's a nick in them or you curb them, then the paint damage will multiply rapidly.

Best off painting them using a spray gun or aerosol, as the finish is bonded to the wheel better than powdercoat.

I own a Jeep, and have modified it a fair bit. I have powdercoated wheels, powdercoated bumpers and a whole host of other powdercoated items. Wish I'd painted them now as they have all flaked to bits

 

Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. The main difference between a conventional liquid paint and a powder coating is that the powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form. The coating is typically applied electrostatically (The special spray gun imparts a positive electric charge on the powder, which is then sprayed towards the grounded object by mechanical or compressed air spraying and then accelerated toward the workpiece by the powerful electrostatic charge) and is then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a "skin." The powder may be a thermoplastic or a thermoset polymer. It is usually used to create a hard finish that is tougher than conventional paint.

When a thermoset powder is exposed to elevated temperature, it begins to melt, flows out, and then chemically reacts to form a higher molecular weight polymer in a network-like structure. This cure process, called crosslinking, requires a certain degree of temperature for a certain length of time in order to reach full cure and establish the full film properties for which the material was designed. Normally the powders cure at 200°C (390°F) in 10 minutes

 

someone asked me today where can they get wheels powder coated [in munster or leinster]let me know of any one good thanks.

 

Not perhaps as bright or shiney as a 2k paint finish but much more durable perfect for wheels imo.

 

Personally I think the jury is still out on durability.

It would be good for someone to do a long term test. with 2 wheels powder coated and 2 wheels painted. Swap sides with them every 3 months so they both get a slice of summer and winter. Then it would be good to see what holds up the best.

Then again, some powder coaters could be better than others, bit like wheel re-furb companies I guess.

Tough one