Paint/Powdercoat/New Rims?

Dist1nct · 08-24-2011, 04:31 PM

Here is my 128i. Everything on this car is black, the windows have 20% wrap around tint, the taillights are blacked out, the emblems are black, the "128i" is black, my shifter is black, my exhaust is black...but the rims are sadly bright aluminum. I wanted black rims, but I am a little strapped for cash, and therefore am not really in the business to buy new rims (to avoid having to buy tires/TPMS sensors etc). Therefore, I thought my solution was to powder coat the rims. Calling several places around me (Central NJ) I was very disappointed. A few I called were charging exorbitant prices, and others even refused to powder coat BMW rims (they claimed it was not worth the risk). A friend recommended I do it myself (like I have done with most of the things on my car) by purchasing some Texture paint and apply VERY thin coats to my rims about 5 times and then clear coat it. The idea of spray painting my rims seems a bit...blasphemous. But, I wanted to ask if anyone had any knowledge of decent powder coating places in the NJ/PA/CT area, OR if anyone knew a cheap way to get my rims black, would the texture paint work? I am looking for the cheapest option here...

ken1137 · 08-24-2011, 05:30 PM

I am in the same situation with a Jet Black 135. I am considering powder coat for both Winter Set up and Summer. It will cost me around $400 per set. The cheaper option is to use; Dupli-color self etching primer, High performance wheel paint, and High performance clear coat. You must degrease, wash, and sand the wheels for prep. You can also tape (w/news paper) the tire so you dont have to pay for removal, mounting, and re-balancing. Powder coat of course will last longer but painting looks just as good and is cheaper. You can purchase a kit from rimpainter.com or buy the supplies on your own. I am still leaning towards powder coat for longevity.

Dist1nct · 08-24-2011, 08:11 PM

Yeah I think I'll try out rimpaint.com, and use that. I'll post pictures if you want so you can see how it turns out. Thanks for the ideas

Red Bread · 08-25-2011, 09:22 AM

Look for a local powdercoater. I had my M Coupe wheels done in two stage powder for $50/wheel. They've held up great for nearly ten years now.

If you do go the DIY route, be sure to clean the wheels chemically, mask off the lug seats, valve stem seat and rim lips thoroughly. Also don't forget to factor in the cost of having the tires removed and reinstalled and rebalanced.

ken1137 · 08-25-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dist1nct

Yeah I think I'll try out rimpaint.com, and use that. I'll post pictures if you want so you can see how it turns out. Thanks for the ideas

Just an FYI...I found this coating process on another thread. opti coat should extend the life of the paint on the wheels.

www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html

ken1137 · 08-28-2011, 10:27 PM

I changed my mind once again and decided to paint my Winter Wheels this weekend. This will free up funds reserved for powder coating so I can purchase a Berk Street Performance axleback exhaust (ceramic coated) this week

Total 6 hrs and looks pretty good. I plan to apply opti-coat next week, but as for now only 2 clear coats.

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08-24-2011, 04:31 PM	#1
Dist1nct Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Coupe Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Paint/Powdercoat/New Rims? Here is my 128i. Everything on this car is black, the windows have 20% wrap around tint, the taillights are blacked out, the emblems are black, the "128i" is black, my shifter is black, my exhaust is black...but the rims are sadly bright aluminum. I wanted black rims, but I am a little strapped for cash, and therefore am not really in the business to buy new rims (to avoid having to buy tires/TPMS sensors etc). Therefore, I thought my solution was to powder coat the rims. Calling several places around me (Central NJ) I was very disappointed. A few I called were charging exorbitant prices, and others even refused to powder coat BMW rims (they claimed it was not worth the risk). A friend recommended I do it myself (like I have done with most of the things on my car) by purchasing some Texture paint and apply VERY thin coats to my rims about 5 times and then clear coat it. The idea of spray painting my rims seems a bit...blasphemous. But, I wanted to ask if anyone had any knowledge of decent powder coating places in the NJ/PA/CT area, OR if anyone knew a cheap way to get my rims black, would the texture paint work? I am looking for the cheapest option here... Attached Images
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08-24-2011, 05:30 PM	#2
ken1137 Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,732 Posts Drives: BMW S1000XR Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 e90 335i [6.40]	Powder coat or Paint I am in the same situation with a Jet Black 135. I am considering powder coat for both Winter Set up and Summer. It will cost me around $400 per set. The cheaper option is to use; Dupli-color self etching primer, High performance wheel paint, and High performance clear coat. You must degrease, wash, and sand the wheels for prep. You can also tape (w/news paper) the tire so you dont have to pay for removal, mounting, and re-balancing. Powder coat of course will last longer but painting looks just as good and is cheaper. You can purchase a kit from rimpainter.com or buy the supplies on your own. I am still leaning towards powder coat for longevity.
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08-24-2011, 08:11 PM	#3
Dist1nct Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Coupe Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	Yeah I think I'll try out rimpaint.com, and use that. I'll post pictures if you want so you can see how it turns out. Thanks for the ideas
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08-25-2011, 09:22 AM	#4
Red Bread Major General 4463 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Look for a local powdercoater. I had my M Coupe wheels done in two stage powder for $50/wheel. They've held up great for nearly ten years now. If you do go the DIY route, be sure to clean the wheels chemically, mask off the lug seats, valve stem seat and rim lips thoroughly. Also don't forget to factor in the cost of having the tires removed and reinstalled and rebalanced.
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08-28-2011, 10:27 PM	#6
ken1137 Brigadier General 89 Rep 3,732 Posts Drives: BMW S1000XR Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Gilbert, AZ iTrader: (7) Garage List 2009 e90 335i [6.40]	Painted wheels I changed my mind once again and decided to paint my Winter Wheels this weekend. This will free up funds reserved for powder coating so I can purchase a Berk Street Performance axleback exhaust (ceramic coated) this week Total 6 hrs and looks pretty good. I plan to apply opti-coat next week, but as for now only 2 clear coats.
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