Wheels - powder coat or paint?

[Rummie]

What is the best way to match wheels to body color?

Paint would clearly a great color match but is it durable on a wheel? Powder coating is durable but can you get a good color match?

Anyone with experience or expertise want to chime in?

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[Bunchahoopla]

There are a lot of colors to powder coat now. It has come a long way. The only couple of negatives are the final color may be different when it comes out of the oven than what you thought...a different hue if you will. Also, the thickness of the powder coat may cause issues and to get a good bond you will have to grind your wheels. Paint will be cheaper, not as durable, but you can color match exactly and if you ever get scratches or dings, it is a lot easier to fix. It really is up to you there are pros and cons to both. You might give black and gold a shout. He painted his sport rims and the product turned out great! You can pick his brain on how they are holding up:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/black-and-gold-gladiator.29653/

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I'd say powder coat over painting them. Paint will eventually come off or scratch a lot easier than powder coating.

 

[ThatStinging_Jeep]

What is the best way to match wheels to body color?

Paint would clearly a great color match but is it durable on a wheel? Powder coating is durable but can you get a good color match?

Anyone with experience or expertise want to chime in?

if your on a budget i guess,if you do a good job in prepping everything you should be fine painting them ive always had good luck painting them,most people that ive heard that painting wheels sucks well i always ask them did you do any prep,and most of the time ive heard is "No" Or well..."just sanded".But yeah i will always recommend powder coating especially with all new colors out there and if you really want to get everything right you can buy samples as well but yeah man thats just my 2 cents,and my 2 cents is free XD

 

[Rummie]

I will have to see what colors are available. I'm looking to match Gator. That might be a challenge. If I have them painted I will use a professional shop to do it.

 

[Bunchahoopla]

I will have to see what colors are available. I'm looking to match Gator. That might be a challenge. If I have them painted I will use a professional shop to do it.

if you are going to have them painted professionally or deciding to powder coat, I would powder coat. The cost wouldn’t be that much more. Just do some research on some shops before you pull the trigger.

 

[J.Noack]

Good morning!

As a few folks have mentioned, it really comes down to personal preference.
Personally, I’ve ALWAYS paid a more for professional paint, than powder coating.
In my opinion, the higher cost for painting is justified as well.
If you find a quality painter, the overall process is more involved to get the paint flawless. As the thatstinging-jeep mentioned, the prep work is where the overall quality is ultimately achieved, prior to any paint being applied at all.
Powder coat for the most part is blast, coat, bake, done.

Powder coating will also cover up any small blemishes as well upon application. No doubt, it is more durable than paint concerning anything the item comes into contact with. However, there is nothing quite like walking outside to your vehicle and seeing those paint matched items glisten in the sun perfectly!

Over the years I’ve found that with all of the awesome / unique new colors coming out on vehicles, ...finding that perfect powder cat match is difficult. Companies such as prismatic, are constantly updating their color options to keep up with the times. As I ran into with Gobi, I would imagine that Gator will be the same way, etc.
I know for Gobi, there is not an exact match available, but a damn close one is.

What I did to prevent the slight color difference from factory Gobi paint and powder from having the wrong effect was to powder coat a few other items on the vehicle the same color. The slight difference in color gave the overall appearance a more complete, intentional look.

But in the end, as most have mentioned here, both options are great and have pros and cons.

On my Gladiator, did the following:

Painted:
...Front and rear Genright Fenders
...Tail alight housings (Color matched)
...The “KC” on the light bar light covers And mount

Powdercoat
...All 8 Control arms
...Both track bars
...sway bar links
...Front Bumper
...(will do the Rear bumper as well when I find one I like and purchase)
...Coilover conversion pieces / hardware.

 

[Rummie]

Good morning!

As a few folks have mentioned, it really comes down to personal preference.
Personally, I’ve ALWAYS paid a more for professional paint, than powder coating.
In my opinion, the higher cost for painting is justified as well.
If you find a quality painter, the overall process is more involved to get the paint flawless. As the thatstinging-jeep mentioned, the prep work is where the overall quality is ultimately achieved, prior to any paint being applied at all.
Powder coat for the most part is blast, coat, bake, done.

Powder coating will also cover up any small blemishes as well upon application. No doubt, it is more durable than paint concerning anything the item comes into contact with. However, there is nothing quite like walking outside to your vehicle and seeing those paint matched items glisten in the sun perfectly!

Over the years I’ve found that with all of the awesome / unique new colors coming out on vehicles, ...finding that perfect powder cat match is difficult. Companies such as prismatic, are constantly updating their color options to keep up with the times. As I ran into with Gobi, I would imagine that Gator will be the same way, etc.
I know for Gobi, there is not an exact match available, but a damn close one is.

What I did to prevent the slight color difference from factory Gobi paint and powder from having the wrong effect was to powder coat a few other items on the vehicle the same color. The slight difference in color gave the overall appearance a more complete, intentional look.

But in the end, both options are great and have pros and cons.As most have stated here:

On my Gladiator, did the following:

Painted:
...Front and rear Genright Fenders
...Tail alight housings (Color matched)
...The “KC” on the light bar light covers And mount

Powdercoat
...All 8 Control arms
...Both track bars
...sway bar links
...Front Bumper
...(will do the Rear bumper as well when I find one I like and purchase)
...Coilover conversion pieces / hardware.

Thanks for the thorough response! All great ideas. Gotta say, your Gladiator is freaking gorgeous.

 

[DocMike]

What he said.

Good morning!

As a few folks have mentioned, it really comes down to personal preference.
Personally, I’ve ALWAYS paid a more for professional paint, than powder coating.
In my opinion, the higher cost for painting is justified as well.
If you find a quality painter, the overall process is more involved to get the paint flawless. As the thatstinging-jeep mentioned, the prep work is where the overall quality is ultimately achieved, prior to any paint being applied at all.
Powder coat for the most part is blast, coat, bake, done.

Powder coating will also cover up any small blemishes as well upon application. No doubt, it is more durable than paint concerning anything the item comes into contact with. However, there is nothing quite like walking outside to your vehicle and seeing those paint matched items glisten in the sun perfectly!

Over the years I’ve found that with all of the awesome / unique new colors coming out on vehicles, ...finding that perfect powder cat match is difficult. Companies such as prismatic, are constantly updating their color options to keep up with the times. As I ran into with Gobi, I would imagine that Gator will be the same way, etc.
I know for Gobi, there is not an exact match available, but a damn close one is.

What I did to prevent the slight color difference from factory Gobi paint and powder from having the wrong effect was to powder coat a few other items on the vehicle the same color. The slight difference in color gave the overall appearance a more complete, intentional look.

But in the end, both options are great and have pros and cons.As most have stated here:

On my Gladiator, did the following:

Painted:
...Front and rear Genright Fenders
...Tail alight housings (Color matched)
...The “KC” on the light bar light covers And mount

Powdercoat
...All 8 Control arms
...Both track bars
...sway bar links
...Front Bumper
...(will do the Rear bumper as well when I find one I like and purchase)
...Coilover conversion pieces / hardware.

 

[J.Noack]

Thanks for the thorough response! All great ideas. Gotta say, your Gladiator is freaking gorgeous.

No problem!
Thank you!

 

[ThatStinging_Jeep]

Good morning!

As a few folks have mentioned, it really comes down to personal preference.
Personally, I’ve ALWAYS paid a more for professional paint, than powder coating.
In my opinion, the higher cost for painting is justified as well.
If you find a quality painter, the overall process is more involved to get the paint flawless. As the thatstinging-jeep mentioned, the prep work is where the overall quality is ultimately achieved, prior to any paint being applied at all.
Powder coat for the most part is blast, coat, bake, done.

Powder coating will also cover up any small blemishes as well upon application. No doubt, it is more durable than paint concerning anything the item comes into contact with. However, there is nothing quite like walking outside to your vehicle and seeing those paint matched items glisten in the sun perfectly!

Over the years I’ve found that with all of the awesome / unique new colors coming out on vehicles, ...finding that perfect powder cat match is difficult. Companies such as prismatic, are constantly updating their color options to keep up with the times. As I ran into with Gobi, I would imagine that Gator will be the same way, etc.
I know for Gobi, there is not an exact match available, but a damn close one is.

What I did to prevent the slight color difference from factory Gobi paint and powder from having the wrong effect was to powder coat a few other items on the vehicle the same color. The slight difference in color gave the overall appearance a more complete, intentional look.

But in the end, as most have mentioned here, both options are great and have pros and cons.

On my Gladiator, did the following:

Painted:
...Front and rear Genright Fenders
...Tail alight housings (Color matched)
...The “KC” on the light bar light covers And mount

Powdercoat
...All 8 Control arms
...Both track bars
...sway bar links
...Front Bumper
...(will do the Rear bumper as well when I find one I like and purchase)
...Coilover conversion pieces / hardware.

Damn man your jeep looks freaking sick man,i love that thing man,Keep up the great work :D

 

[ThatStinging_Jeep]

No problem!
Thank you!

Also man if you can you tell me if you had issues with the dealer cause of your bumper,cause im pretty sure you have to cut part of the tusks that are on the front cause i really want that bumper that you have or a evo 1/4 pounder but yeah man if you can shed me some info on that that would be freaking great man :D

 

[J.Noack]

Also man if you can you tell me if you had issues with the dealer cause of your bumper,cause im pretty sure you have to cut part of the tusks that are on the front cause i really want that bumper that you have or a evo 1/4 pounder but yeah man if you can shed me some info on that that would be freaking great man :D

Thanks man, appreciated!

You are 100% correct on having to cut.
I’m not sure if the dealer will give any grief or not to be honest.
I will say that if you do go with this bumper, follow the instructions when it comes time to mount your winch on it. I thought I was smarter than the directions and it ended up being an absolute biiiiiitch to get the winch secured down doing it “my” way lol.

 

[ThatStinging_Jeep]

Thanks man, appreciated!

You are 100% correct on having to cut.
I’m not sure if the dealer will give any grief or not to be honest.
I will say that if you do go with this bumper, follow the instructions when it comes time to mount your winch on it. I thought I was smarter than the directions and it ended up being an absolute biiiiiitch to get the winch secured down doing it “my” way lol.

Well thanks man for the info and yeah always read the instructions,thats what ive learned(the very hard way XD)but yeah,thanks man

 

[dhurley737]

I will have to see what colors are available. I'm looking to match Gator. That might be a challenge. If I have them painted I will use a professional shop to do it.

If you find the color match w/ prismatic please let us know. I also have a Gator Gladiator and I'm looking to do my truck bed bars / towers and the Rigid A pillar light bar mounts.

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