A set of powder-coated rims will make your car look much nicer. The powder coating isn’t only good-looking but also protective. If you’re looking for details on powder coating rims, you probably don’t need any more persuading – you already know why you want to do it.
But how long does it take to powder coat rims? That can be very important to know before you decide to go with the procedure, especially if you use your car daily. Keep reading, and you’ll find out shortly.
How Long Does It Take to Powder Coat Rims
Many things could affect the time it will take to powder coat your wheels. Wheel condition, material, curing equipment, and several other factors can significantly shorten or extend the process. However, a single wheel typically takes around 2 hours if you turn to a professional.
That means a set of wheels would probably take an entire day to finish. If you decide to perform the procedure at home and do a DIY project out of it, you might need some extra time. If you turn to a professional painter, they should be able to tell you when they’ll be available to work on your rims and how much time it’ll take them.
Powder Coating Explained
To better understand why it takes so much time to powder coat your rims, it would definitely help to learn a thing or two about the procedure itself. Moreover, if you have some previous painting experience, you might be tempted to try and do it yourself.
Therefore, I’m going to explain the procedure from start to finish, so let’s take a look:
Detaching the wheels
It is probably obvious, but to cover the entire process, I must mention the first step – detaching the wheels. Detach the wheels and remove the tire. With the tires out of the way, you can easily clean the tires, making sure that no dirt residues are hanging onto the wheel, as even the slightest dust particles can mess up the entire coat.
Spraying the powder coat
With the rims spotless clean, the next step is to spray the powder coating onto the wheels. That’s done with the help of a compressed air sprayer that electrostatically charges the powder, binding the layer to the wheels.
Curing
After the powder coat is sprayed onto the wheels, they need to be left to cure. Nothing should come into contact with the coating during the curing process, as it could cause it to fall off.
Depending on the product used, curing time may vary. It is stated on the label, and you might also need to pay attention to the temperature. That’s why curing is typically performed in a specialized powder-coating oven.
Proper curing makes for an even finish and eliminates running, dripping, or sagging of the powder coat.
Read more: How to Remove Oxidation From Car Paint
What Affects Powder Coating Time?
On average, powder coating a single wheel takes around 1 to 2 hours. However, the length of the procedure can vary based on a couple of factors. After learning more about the powder coating process, you’re probably guessing what could affect powder coating time.
Wheel condition
Wheel conditions could significantly speed up or delay the procedure.
If your rims are in good shape, getting them ready for the powder coat won’t take much time. They may only need to be washed and dried before applying the powder coat.
However, if your rims are damaged or painted over, they’ll need to be additionally treated before they can be powder coated. The prep may involve sandblasting and paint removal, which takes longer than a regular wash.
Powder coating material and thickness
Different powder coating materials may need longer to cure. Layer thickness can also make a great difference. However, this shouldn’t make a big difference, as curing typically takes less than 20 minutes. Product and thickness may affect curing time by around 5 to 10 minutes.
Curing equipment
The curing equipment can also add some extra minutes to the entire procedure. Convention and infrared ovens take longer than laser curing methods, but this shouldn’t be considered a too significant factor, as curing time doesn’t take that long in the first place.
DIY vs. professional service
To know how long does it take to powder coat rims depends largely on the person doing the job.
If you’ve decided to powder coat your rims on your own, you should expect it to take longer. Especially if this is your first time, you shouldn’t rush the procedure. However, you should note that you’ll need an oven to cure the rims after spraying them, so make sure you prepare ahead.
Still, you shouldn’t get too excited about getting your rims done within a day if you decide to visit a professional painter. Although it will take them significantly less time to complete the task, they’ll probably have other people waiting in line before you. Therefore, at least you should be prepared to leave your wheels at the workshop for a few days.
Also read: How Often Should You Wax Your Car
Is Powder Coating Rims a Good Idea?
If you’re still wondering whether to use paint or a powder coat for your rims, I definitely recommend a powder coat. Although paint is a suitable low-cost solution, a powder coat is a much better option.
First of all, a powder coat is much more durable. Paint is highly susceptible to scratching and chipping, so besides being a cheaper option, you may have to repeat the process very shortly. Paint also corrodes quickly. It may be a good short-term solution, but if you’re thinking in the long term, it won’t provide any long-lasting benefit.
On the other hand, a powder coat provides much better coverage. The coating can stick to hard-to-reach spots, allowing for outstanding coverage and protection. Because of the electrostatic nature of the particles, it delivers complete application.
Overall, a paint job will cost you less money in the short run, but if you want to keep from visiting your local car painter too often, you should definitely go with a powder coat. The initial cost is significantly higher, but you won’t need to perform frequent touch-ups.
