The wheels on my 2005 Dodge 2500 are getting a bit ratty so I'm looking to get them freshened up. They are the basic 10-hole silver-painted steel wheels and I'm going to keep them the same color, or as close to it as possible.

Is powder coating a good choice for this application, or would having them painted by a body shop be a better choice?

I’d powder coat

Rattle can 2K paint - you can do yourself.

What does the rest of the truck look like?
Doors and body panels all the same color?
Any rust anywhere?
What I’m getting at is:
The wheels on my 2012 F250 that’s in good shape would get treated differently than the wheels on my 86 Bronco II that is mostly brown, but with red doors and a different colored drivers seat, and missing side mirrors from being used as an ATV....

Painting is the easy part, the prep is the key whether powder coated or not.
If you are going to powder coat they would need to off the truck, no tires and then stripped and powder coated.
No doubt it would look great.
You can paint them while still in tires on the truck, there are even places that come out and do it professionally.

I'd go powder coat. They will scratch but are much more durable than simply painted. Only issue is down time. Removing, dealing with a no wheel vehicle for a while and then having them remounted balanced and all that involves. Might be easier to buy new wheels (or lightly used) and that could be close to the price of having all that done.

Lots of how to vids on youtube. I’ve considered doing my old jeep CJ wheels with plasti dip spray. No need to dismount tires and all that rot.

The hacks at our local tire shop will scratch hell out of a newly refinished set of wheels mounting tires on them. I don’t want to give them that opportunity.

quote:

Might be easier to buy new wheels (or lightly used) and that could be close to the price of having all that done.

I'd be looking at that. If you're coming up on new tires I believe places like Tirerack actually mount and balance for free when you get wheels and tires together. I did that years ago on a Yukon and came out ok!

Just checked - they do still mount and balance for free, and will ship wheel/tire packages for free as well. Only issue might be if you have TPMS, but if that's not been replaced may as well just get that new as well.

Paint. Paint can be touched up. Is good if prepped well. (sandblast) All finishes scratch and ckip from wrenches, rocks, covers, beauty rings, etc. Is there rust between the center and rim? I am not a fan of powder unless the thing gets TLC

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Lots of how to vids on youtube. I’ve considered doing my old jeep CJ wheels with plasti dip spray. No need to dismount tires and all that rot.

The hacks at our local tire shop will scratch hell out of a newly refinished set of wheels mounting tires on them. I don’t want to give them that opportunity.

You're going to the wrong shop.

Plasti-dip is a viable alternative. Don't have to dismount the wheels from tires. Easy to apply. Peels off if you don't like it.
Dipyourcar.com is the place to check out colors and the process.

I did the wheels in my 67 GTO with Argent silver, with a urethane hardener. Like others have said prep is key. I have a sandblaster, so I did that part myself. Shoot the paint from a spray gun and stay away from rattle cans, IMO.

I may be mistaken, but I don't think powdercoat has very good UV resistance. I could be mistaken though.