In the world of painting metals, liquid paint has been the go-to for years. That however is now being replaced with a more efficient, clean and durable powder coating. It is a trendy process that can be taken as a cooler way of painting. However, powder coating is a lot more than just a cool trendy process.
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a painting process, but unlike the usual process of applying liquid paint to the surface, a coloured powder is used. It is sprayed similarly to that spray paint so that it spreads equally to the surface and gives a great finish.
What separates it from simple painting is that powder coats are applied using electrostatic charges and are literally baked in an oven for hours to cure. These simple extra steps make powder coating a lot more durable and effective than liquid paint.
Benefits of Powder Coating over liquid paint:
- No dripping: The fact that powder coating uses powder means there is no paint drip, so you are always assured an even finish. There is little to no wastage of paint and since we are using powder it requires very little prep work.
- Superior finish: Powder coating always guarantees a better finish thanks to the repetitive process of coating and curing. Also, unlike paint, there is no unnecessary double layering. The powder sticks to the opposite charge surface equally providing a smooth even finish.
- Durable: Electrostatic forces ensure that the powder bonds with the surface physically which gets permanent after curing. This leaves very less chances of chemical corrosion, making the coat extremely durable.
- Affordable: Powder coating is comparatively more affordable as it’s less labour-intensive and only needs a few coats to get a better result. It also allows versatility of colour and finish that can be achieved through liquid paint but needs a lot of complex mixing.
- Easy to maintain: It is much easier to maintain powder coating as it does not rust or get corroded due to dirt, grime, or chemicals. Powder coating is also great at protecting wheels against brake dust increasing the longevity of the wheels themselves.
How often do wheels need powder coating?
Powder coating is extremely durable and ideally can last around two decades. That however is very much dependent on the metal and the wear and tear it goes through. Irrespective of that though, powder coats can last for a good 5-7 years.
So unless you need a new shade, the old shade can pretty much last as long as the wheels themselves. The other issues are depending on kerb damage. Chipping or scratching the alloy from getting too close to a kerb can cause penetration to the thin layer of lacquer. Other issues can come about from using wheel cleaners that are acid-based and can weaken the lacquer. This can increase your chance of corrosion. The best way to avoid discolouration or corrosion is by using a pH-neutral wheel cleaner.
What are the best wheel colours for powder coating? What are the most popular colours?
One of the best advantages powder coats have over paint is the versatility of colours and shades. It is much simpler to create a specific blend with unique finishes using powder coats over liquid paint. This increases the options for colours when opting for powder coating with all types of finishes from gloss to matte to gradient.
Among the hundreds of colour options, some of the best and most popular powder-coating colour options for wheels are:
- Black
- White
- Silver
- Gold
- Red
- Yellow
- Gold
- Orange
- Violet
Out of these, black, white and silver are the ones that are extremely famous and loved among all types of car owners. Black especially is used to adding a contrasting stealthy tone that really brings out the aesthetics of the cars. Check out some of our examples of the standard powder coating colours that we keep in stock.
Overall, these colour choices are great with a glossy and matt finish and will add a unique aesthetic to your car.
How are powder coating colours made?
Powder coats are made of many different materials all combined to give a colour and a finish. It includes polymer resin with colour pigments, flow modifiers, levelling agents and many other additives. These are all combined together by heating and melting into one final product that is cooled down and converted into powder.
The varying materials add up to different textures and different finishes. Once heated this powder sets up on the surface bonding with it physically.
How much does powder-coating wheel refurbishment cost?
The cost of powder coating wheels depends on many different factors These include, the paint colour, texture, and finish, along with the wheels and their condition themselves. Since wheels are made of all types of metals, some being alloy while others steel, the coats react differently to them.
With alloy wheels, it’s easier to get a finish as compared to others. Then there is the design of the wheels themselves. Complicated wheel designs are hard to coat effectively. If there are a higher number of small intricate pieces the complication increases drastically.
The condition of the wheels also affects the price as wheels with corrosion would need special care and fixing before applying powder coating. But, what majorly affects the price however is the type of powder coat you have.
Liquid paint powder coats also have types with polyester powder coats being the cheapest and fluoropolymers being the most expensive. On average, the cost of powder coating can range between £60 – £130 per wheel in the UK. These prices can range depending on the shop and area.
Though, you can always expect to pay the right price around Manchester when you visit Manchester Powder Coating where you will always get the best service and the most competitive prices.
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