Wheels can make or break the look of almost any vehicle. Though we're not huge fans of super-big and high-bling dubs, we do enjoy a nice, clean, and functional wheel on our trucks. All too often years of wheeling and weather can turn a once sharp-looking wheel into a faded and pitted relic. Though the rough look might not affect the rim's function, sometimes the eyesore is enough to make you want to buck up for a new set of wheels.
Luckily there is an affordable option: Keep your old rims, give them a new look, and spend only a fraction of what you'd pay for a new wheel set. It's all accomplished by simply tossing on a little powder. Having your truck's wheels powdercoated has gained popularity over the past decade, and for good reason. The powdercoat finish is more durable than paint, offers excellent weather protection, and can be sprayed in a variety of finishes and colors; and the best part of all is that it's relatively inexpensive.
Wanting to know more about powdercoating, we cruised out to Area 51 Powdercoating in Holy Ridge, North Carolina. We have worked with these powdercoat professionals many times. This time we presented them with our decade-old, flaking and battered wheels and asked them to create a fresh look for our weathered 17-inch aluminum rims. Listed here are a few of the major steps of the powdercoat process. For more information visit www.area51powdercoating.com
1. We pulled our 17-inch rims...
1. We pulled our 17-inch rims off an old GM diesel that had spent most of its life sitting by the Carolina shores. After years of everyday use, salt air, and wheeling, the rims' clearcoat was peeling off and the galvanic corrosion was becoming more apparent.
2. Area 51 Powdercoating has...
2. Area 51 Powdercoating has a variety of media to blast wheels with. Since our rims are a basic one-piece aluminum design, they were dealt a traditional sandblast.
3. Once the wheels are blasted,...
3. Once the wheels are blasted, each one gets degreased and hit with a high-temperature pressure wash. Powdercoating is very similar to painting in that you spend most of the time prepping and cleaning the surface to achieve the best finish.
4. From your basic flat black...
4. From your basic flat black to crazy candy and metalflake, there are many powdercoat colors and designs to choose from. Each powder bag must be kept in a climate-controlled room, and the fill is always located outside the booth.
5. After the wheel is cleaned,...
5. After the wheel is cleaned, dried, and fully prepped, it is hung from a metal rack and pushed into the powder bay. Once the rack is attached to two electric grounds, a low volume of air projects the powder particles onto the rim's surface. Since the particles are electrically charged as they exit the gun, they stick to the grounded surface.
6. After the powder has been...
6. After the powder has been sprayed thoroughly throughout, the wheel is moved into the massive curing oven. When the powder particles are heated, they bond, creating a smooth coating over the rim.
7. The end product-coated with a high-gloss black center, a metallic silver lip, and a durable clearcoat for added protection-is an unbelievable improvement over the dull and weathered wheels we showed up with. We were more than pleased with the new, fresh look of our rims.