Have you been driving around roads filled with potholes, loose gravel, and dirt, thinking about how your rims are taking a beating? Well, never fear, there is a solution to all your problems with powder coating!
We’re going to break down how much powder coating your wheels is going to cost and what to expect along the way. You’ll be able to protect your rims like never before once you’ve learned about powder coating in our Powder Coat Wheel Cost Guide.
Without further delay, let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Cost of Powder Coating Wheels
The average cost of powder coating your wheels is $105, with a low of $65 and a high of $180 per wheel. The following factors determine the price;
- Size
- Number of wheels
- Specific tires for specific vehicles
Here are the average prices of tires per wheel size;
| Wheel
Size (in inches) |
Amount of Wheels | |||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 13 | $ 65 | $ 130 | $195 | $ 260 |
| 14 | $ 70 | $ 140 | $ 210 | $ 280 |
| 15 | $ 75 | $ 150 | $ 225 | $ 300 |
| 16 | $ 80 | $ 160 | $ 240 | $ 320 |
| 17 | $ 85 | $ 170 | $ 255 | $ 340 |
| 18 | $ 90 | $ 180 | $ 270 | $ 360 |
| 19 | $ 95 | $ 190 | $ 285 | $ 380 |
| 20 | $ 100 | $ 200 | $ 300 | $ 400 |
| 21 | $ 105 | $ 210 | $ 315 | $ 420 |
| 22 | $ 110 | $ 220 | $ 330 | $ 440 |
| 23 | $ 115 | $ 230 | $ 345 | $ 460 |
| 24 | $ 120 | $240 | $ 360 | $ 480 |
| 25 | $ 125 | $ 250 | $ 375 | $ 500 |
| 26 | $ 130 | $ 260 | $ 390 | $ 520 |
Maintenance Cost for Powder Coated Wheels
Every year you should expect to pay roughly $40 in order to keep your powder coated wheels well maintained.
Here are a few things you can do to keep on top of maintenance;
- General Clean
Just by using a mild soap that’s phosphate-free with a bit of plain hot water, you can wash your tires without removing any powder coating or damaging the tires.
- Deep Clean
With the use of orange-based cleaners, which you need to dilute according to the instructions, you can clean your rims and keep them shining nicely without any damage caused in the process.
- Daily Protective Measure
Apply emollients like WD-40 to your rims daily to keep them dirt and grime-free.
- Lasting Finish
Apply a car-friendly spray-on sealer to keep the coating waterproof therefore protecting it in the long run.
Cost of Powder Coating Car Parts
If you’re considering powder coating most of your car, here’s what you might need to expect to pay per part. Of course, these prices are just estimates, but they can help make the planning somewhat more accessible.
| Car Part | Price to Powder Coat (Estimate) |
| Dipstick | $ 5 |
| Oil Cap | $ 5 |
| Coil Bracket | $ 5-15 |
| Pulleys | $ 10-15 |
| Dust Cover | $ 10 |
| Linkage | $ 10 |
| Spacer | $ 10 |
| Timing Chain Cover | $ 25 |
| Valve Covers Small Block | $ 40 |
| Valve Covers Big Block | $ 55 |
| Exhaust Headers | $ 125-275 |
| Exhaust Manifold | $ 110 |
| Read End House | $ 200 |
| Vehicle and Subframes | $ 325 |
| Frame | $ 600 |
| Tube Chassis | $ 600 |
Painting Vs. Powder Coating
Everything comes down to personal preference. However, both options have different average prices and final results for your vehicle.
Painting your entire car, for example, can cost roughly $1900, whereas powder coating can cost $2000. In addition, costs for painting can range from $300 to $3500, whereas powder coating can range anywhere from $1000 to $3000.
The two options are not far off on pricing, but the end results are different as powder coating is a more durable and protective option than paint.
Pros and Cons of Powder Coating Wheels
Everything has pros and cons and powder coating your wheels is no exception. Here are some of the pros and cons you need to be aware of and consider when deciding if you’re going to powder coat your tires.
Pros of Powder Coating Wheels
Here are some of the pros of powder coating your wheels;
- Higher Damage Resistance
Powder coating your rims means your prepared for every season, which brings about their own set of challenges. Avoid things like flaking, chipping, corrosion, and road grim thanks to powder coating.
While over time, the damage will accumulate regardless, due to gravel and various other debris on the road, powder coating can protect the rims for longer thanks to the non-porous surface. It will act as the shield to your wheel, protecting it from elements that paint doesn’t do as effectively.
- More Durable and Resistant = Money Saved
With Powder coating, you ensure that your rims will last longer and be more resistant to harsh road conditions.
Paint regularly chips away, and it does so rather quickly. So within a couple of years, that $600 paint job could have chipped entirely away, meaning you’re out another $600 just fixing what could have been avoided.
Powder coating is able to last far longer, and with the available maintenance tactics, you’ll be able to prolong it even further. In some cases, with the proper maintenance, powder coating has lasted people 15-20 years!
- Considerably More Environmentally Friendly
Powder paint is more environmentally friendly due to its lack of Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs). However, the adverse effects VOCs have on your health are not to be taken lightly. It can be harmful to your lungs and the Ozone.
Powder coating means no VOCs. Additionally, extra powder paint can be put back in the container and used later, something that’s considerably more difficult with liquid paints.
Cons of Powder Coating Wheels
Here are some of the cons of powder coating your wheels;
- Color Application Problems
Precision color can be a bit challenging with powder coating. Not impossible, but far from easy. Rims need to be baked at 400 degrees in large industrial-styled ovens to set the powder coating effectively. However, in that process, some of the recycled particles can affect the color of your rims. It’s not a common occurrence, but it can happen.
- The Thickness Can be Problematic
Powder Coating is typically 6mm thick, and if you’re looking for anything thinner than that, you’ll need to find an alternative process instead of using the powder coating method. There is simply no way in which you can make powder coating any thinner than 6mm.
- Rim Grinding for Solid Coating
To ensure the powder coating sticks, you’re going to need to grind your rims. The grinding process helps to rid the rims of any previous paint which may be on the wheels. Rim grinding is also necessary in cases where there is a prior powder coating.
Rim griding can be a DIY part of the process, or you can also leave this up to the professionals.
Can I Do it Myself, or Should I Hire a Pro?
If you have the tools to pull of a DIY powder coating job, then go for it. However, if you don’t have the adequate tools, supplies, or basic knowledge of the process, we recommend you avoid working on essential projects until these issues are resolved.
The start-up costs for a project such as powder coating wheels can run anywhere between $5000 and $25 000!
On the other hand, you can get great deals from local professionals who have years of experience, quality equipment, and the necessary workforce to do the project in a timely manner. In addition, discounts are always usually present in cases where you do all your tires in one go, so consider this as an option.
FAQ
Here are some of the questions we find are frequently asked about powder coating aluminum and powder coating in general.
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is the process of applying powdered paint to metal surfaces to add better protection against scratches, corrosion, etc.
There are multiple powder coating methods, but the most common practice is using electrostatic powder coating guns. These guns use electrostatically charged particles to apply powder paint on the surface.
What Other Things Can I Powder Coating as a DIY Project?
There are so many things that can be powder coated. You can powder coat chairs, beds, patio furniture, cribs, the list goes on. Of course, the cost of doing so will vary depending on what you’re powder coating, but if you’ve got the equipment already or plan to get gear, then nothing is really stopping you.
How Long Does Powder Coating Even Last?
With the proper maintenance, you could see your powder coating handy work last anywhere between 15 and 20 years! But, of course, the life span is also determined by pre-treatment, so be sure to take that into consideration.
Can I Wax a Powder Coated Surface?
Yes! You can use wax on powder-coated surfaces. However, you need to ensure the surfaces are cleaned first of any debris and dirt before applying a THIN layer of wax.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You took the first step in protecting your wheels and the rest of your vehicle. Be sure to take this knowledge and apply it so you can drive around in your lovely shiny car for a long time.
If you know anyone who’s looking to protect their wheels, forward them this article! Then, let us know how the process goes for you, and comment below how it went and if it costed more or less than what you expected.
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