Repaint/Powdercoat Wheels...Cost?

I have researched this option. From my research, powder coat will be MUCH more durable than paint. The problem with powder coat is that you have a very limited selection of colors. You will not be able to color match your exterior. For me, it is not that big a problem since my Prius is Blizzard Pearl and white powder coat will be close enough. I haven't made a final decision yet.

The prices I have been quoted locally in Southern California are:
- powder coat in white = $70 per rim
- paint (3 stage) to match Blizzard Pearl = $100 per rim
- (in addition) to chrome OEM wheels about $150 to $200 per rim
The prices do not include dismount, remount, and balance. The durability of each of these options will depend on: 1. how often you clean and wax your wheels, 2. whether you drive in snow with salt on the roads, 3. whether you live near the beach, 4. the amount of impurities in the OEM rim (or any aftermarket rim for that matter). Let us know what you decide.

 

You have one more option. You can Plasti Dip your rims for abut $10 each if you do it yourself. Again, you have limited color choices and you will not be able to match your body color. The coating will last about 3 or 4 years and then you will have to re-apply the coating.

 

how hard is this process? can an noob do this?

 

Plasti dipping isn't hard, I think it's actually easier than spray painting. When I first learned about it I did my rims with spray cans with no experience, came out good. Prep and coats is most important for peel ability.(1 can per rim) Now I'm on my third color for my whole car, and thinking of my next

 

Picture please. Of those plastic dipped rims

 

Try getting quotes for powder coating in your area. In California you can get a set done for about 250 dollars. These places usually will have swatches you can see if you want to get close to your body color.

 

Click on the words "Plasti Dip" in my quote above and it will take you to a video of application to answer your questions.

 

Ok thanks

 

These are off a 2010 so they were silver to black

Then did a blue/green chameleon

 

Toyota used to at least paint the rims silver. This is traditional, looks good with any body color, is widely accepted. Then (in 2012 model year?), I'd suppose at least in part in reaction to owners pulling off the wheel covers, they switched to painting the rims black, which is way over at one extreme, prized by boy-racers only.

 

Black paint must be cheaper than silver paint

 

Thanks a lot, that seems pretty easy!

 

Is powder coating gold color an option? Or is it only able to be done in black?

I don't think there is gold plastidip right? If there is I might throw a few coats onto the Personas rims.... I think it would look sick with the white paint and black windows....

 

I've seen powder coating in many colors, including gold. TRANSPARENT GOLD Powder Coat P-5139S | Prismatic Powders

 

check with your local powder coater. Most don't have all the colors. If it is a special order color, the cost can skyrocket!

Go to plastidip.com to view the available colors.

 

True Metallic Wheel Kits
it's under true metalic
the more I read on this stuff the more I like it.
I might try this first to see if I like the color and then have the rims powder couted latet

 

better to get new rims, costco has the velox 17's for $399

 

That depends on your priorities. If I switch to 17's from my OEM PIP 15's it will cost me as much as 5mpg's on my efficiency. I am going to have my 15's powder coated so I can keep my 70 mpg average.