which is best powder coat or paint?

Question

for the alloy wheels on my VMax

Answer 1

powder coat is more durable

Answer 2

A vote for paint is that you have access to an unlimited number of colors. However, paint is easily scratched and is generally not chemically resistant. Powder coating only allows you to use the powder colors the coater has access to, but is pretty indestructible once applied.

For wheels, I'd vote for powder as well.

If you have your wheels powder coated, you *must* remove the bearings prior to blasting, coating and baking. If you don't, the bearings will be toast in only a few thousand miles afterwards. The abrasives will go into the bearings, and the heat will ruin the internal lubrication.

Answer 3

There is a specific paint used for brake calipers that is heat resistant and brake fluid resistant. It is much less expensive and less time consuming than powder coating. Plus, powder coating has some definite draw-backs compared to caliper paint. In addendum: After reading some of the answers given, take this to heart. If you powder coat, you are stuck with that particular color, as powder coating is extremely difficult to get off and redo, plus, a small chip is not repairable without stripping the powder coat off and redoing the job. What does Brembo use....."Caliper paint", not powder coating. Also, with powder coating, you will have to re-tap any threaded areas and you have to be extremely careful not to get the coating in the piston region. To reduce heat that you may be "afraid" of trapping, there is a ceramic coating that you can have done to your pistons to reduce heat entrapment. That is what we do for the Vipers we race, and we use "HUGE" Brembo brakes.

Answer 4

Another vote for powdercoating.

I've seen a display where they did a motorcycle gas tank in powdercoating and then they shot it with a pistol. The bullet went through the tank but the powdercoating didn't flake off. Pretty tough stuff.

Also powercoating seems to be cheaper to have done. I have a buddy redo his ATV. He priced out the various paints to do his swing arm, frame, A-arms, ect. It was a lot cheaper going with the powdercoating. Now powdercoating comes in all various colors to choose from. They have chrome like finishes, colors that change, metallic and every color under the rainbow. So that shouldn't be a issue in the decision.

Answer 5

powder coat is great for wheels &frames if you dont need to match the color on the rest of the bike. powder coat has a much greater mil thickness than paint & is more flexible than most paint however the color selection is limited and will not achieve the high gloss @ depth of color of urethane basecoat-clearcoat. whatever you do dont put powdercoat on the head fins of an aircooled motor as it gets soft and begins to melt at 400 degrees.

Answer 6

Powder is more durrable but not bulletproof. I've seen it chip installing tires. I always use paint with cllearcoat. There are more color choices and you can prime and fill small imperfections in the rims making them perfect. However you should let them set a week or so before mounting tires to let it cure.

Answer 7

Powder coating.
My rims, hubs, frame and handle bars are powder coated.
Much more durable than paint.

Answer 8

Powdercoat is plastic looking but durable. Personally I prefer paint.

Answer 9

powder coat of course, if ya got the bucks, for me krylon rattle can is fine.