Is It Better to Paint or Powder Coat Alloy Wheels?

At Alloy Refurb Salford, we’ve been powder coating all our alloy wheels for the last few years, and there’s a good reason for that. In this blog, I’ll explain why we no longer paint alloys — and why you shouldn’t have yours painted either.

A lot of customers ask what the difference is between painting and powder coating wheels, and while both can look good at first, only one offers the durability, finish quality, and long-term protection your wheels really need. Let’s go through why.

Why Should I Not Have My Alloys Painted?

Let’s start with a simple question: what happens when you paint over existing paint that’s already a few years old?

The answer is simple — when the old paint starts flaking or corrosion begins to appear underneath, it will take the new layer of paint with it.

That means you’re not actually improving the durability of the finish; you’re just covering up the problem temporarily. Once that underlying paint fails — and it will — the surface will start peeling again, often looking worse than before.

In short, painting alloys doesn’t extend their lifespan, it just delays the inevitable, and you’ll find yourself needing them redone much sooner than if they were properly stripped and powder coated.

Why Should I Powder Coat My Alloy Wheels Instead of Painting Them?

Before alloy wheels can be powder coated, they’re first dipped in an acid bath to remove all existing paint, lacquer, and corrosion, taking them right back to bare metal — just like they were at the factory before the car was ever sold.

From there, the wheels go through a controlled process similar to the original manufacturing stage. They’re baked to remove any remaining moisture, then primed and powder coated using an electrostatic charge that bonds the coating to the metal. Finally, they’re cured in an oven at high temperature, forming a hard, smooth, and durable finish that becomes part of the wheel’s surface — not just a layer sitting on top of old paint.

This process gives the wheel a completely fresh start, producing a factory-grade finish that’s far more resistant to chips, corrosion, and road wear than any painted alternative.

Why Do You Powder Coat Alloy Wheels?

We powder coat every set of alloys that comes through our doors because it’s the only way to achieve a true, factory-level refurbishment. The process starts by stripping the wheel back to bare metal, removing every trace of old paint, corrosion, and imperfections. This isn’t a quick cover-up — it’s a full restoration that gives the wheel a completely fresh start.

Once coated and cured, the finish becomes part of the metal itself, making it far more resistant to stone chips, brake dust, and corrosion than traditional paint. The electrostatic process also ensures even coverage across every curve and detail, including areas paint often misses.

The result is a finish that’s smooth, durable, and easy to maintain — one that withstands heat, weather, and time. In short, powder coating doesn’t just make your wheels look new again; it keeps them that way.

Why Do Some Companies Paint Alloy Wheels and Not Powder Coat Them?

This poor-quality service is usually offered by mobile repair vans or general garages that haven’t invested in the correct equipment to carry out a proper alloy wheel refurbishment.

To powder coat wheels correctly, a company needs specialised industrial machinery — including acid dipping tanks, curing ovens, and electrostatic coating systems — which can cost £20,000 or more. Without this setup, these businesses simply don’t have the means to follow the correct factory process.

Instead, they take the quick route: painting directly over the existing finish. It’s much faster — often completed within a few hours — compared to a full 24–48 hour factory-standard refurbishment. But while it saves them time, it also means skipping crucial steps like stripping corrosion and removing old paint properly.

The result? A finish that looks good for a few weeks but soon begins to chip, peel, or bubble, especially once the old layers underneath start to fail. In other words, painting alloys might seem cheaper or faster — but you’ll be back for another repair far sooner, costing more in the long run.

Are There Any Downsides to Powder Coating Alloy Wheels?

The only real downside to powder coating is time.

A complete alloy wheel refurbishment that follows the correct factory process typically takes around 48 hours from start to finish. Every wheel needs to be chemically stripped, cleaned, baked, coated, and cured properly — and that can’t be rushed if you want a lasting result.

While that might seem a bit inconvenient compared to a quick paint job that can be done in a few hours, the difference is huge. Painted wheels will soon flake, corrode, or bubble, meaning you’ll end up paying again for another repair. By taking an extra day or two to do it properly, you’re actually saving time and money in the long run — and getting a finish that truly lasts.

How Do We Overcome This at Alloy Refurb Salford?

We understand that not everyone can be without their car for a couple of days, which is why we’ve built our service around making the process as easy as possible.

1. Spare Wheels for Every Customer
   We provide spare wheels for all customers while their alloys are being refurbished, so you can stay on the road without interruption.
2. Courtesy Cars Available
   For customers who prefer extra convenience, we also have a fleet of courtesy cars available to use while your wheels are being powder coated.

On top of that, we take the time to educate our customers about the process. We explain that while it might take a little longer, the results speak for themselves — and we back that up with our 100% satisfaction guarantee and a 12-month durability warranty.

That’s something mobile vans and basic repair services simply can’t offer, because they don’t carry out the full process to the same professional standard.

Summary: Is It Better to Paint or Powder Coat Alloy Wheels?

To put it simply — powder coating is the only real way to refurbish alloy wheels properly. Painting might seem quicker and cheaper, but it’s a temporary fix that hides the problem rather than solving it. Once the old layers start flaking or corrosion sets in, the new paint comes straight off with it.

Powder coating, on the other hand, is a complete restoration process. The wheels are stripped back to bare metal, treated, baked, and coated using the same type of process they went through at the factory. It takes a little longer — usually up to 48 hours — but the results last for years, not months.

At Alloy Refurb Salford, we’ve invested in the right equipment and facilities to deliver a true factory-standard finish. We back our work with a 12-month durability warranty and 100% customer satisfaction guarantee, so you can be confident that your wheels will not only look brand new but stay that way.