Wheel refurbishment is a highly-technical procedure that can often become challenging to navigate. Other than making your wheels look the part, you’ll want them to play it too. Whether tending to one wheel or all four, refurbishment is a rigorous ten-step process that requires a lot of decision-making. Guide your decisions by learning more about the process as a whole.
The Magic of Powder Coating
When undergoing an alloy wheel repair, you’ll likely come across the option of using a powder coating. If you’re on the fence about this material, the following benefits may change your mind.
1. Application is Fast
Among its primary benefits is speed. Compared to paint, which can take hours—or days!—to harden and dry, powder coating dries to a rock-hard finish when curing the material with heat. Not only can you enjoy getting back behind the wheel sooner rather than later—but you also shell out for fewer overall costs.
2. It’s Environmentally-Friendly
Another advantage of powder coating is its sustainability. Its painted counterparts contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are a type of pollutant released into the atmosphere. In contrast, powder coatings don’t have any solvents and are an excellent method of reducing one’s carbon footprint.
3. It’s Less Corrosive Than Paint
90% of paint is made up of solvents, which leave behind minute pores on the surface of your vehicle when they evaporate. As such, moisture has ample opportunity to come into contact with the metal surfaces below, increasing the instances of rust and corrosion.
By contrast, powder coating forms a water-tight, solid shield that protects your alloy wheels for much longer. Plus, your wheels will look as though they’re fresh out of the factory.
The Process of Powder Coating
A relatively young process, powder coating made waves in North America in the 1960s. The process involves covering metal surfaces with one or more coatings of dry powder. These layers are then cured with heat treatment to fuse the material into a hard, durable finish. From there, a technician applies a lacquer coat, improving the finish and protecting the wheels against environmental damage from UV rays, salt, or moisture.
Unlike paint, powder coating can be applied thicker without running the risk of drips along horizontal and vertical surfaces. As such, they keep alloy wheels looking and functioning as if brand-new for longer. Powder coating is resistant to wear and tear and can last twice as long as their painted counterparts.
How to Select the Right Specialist
You won’t come across any shortage of alloy wheel refurbishment service online—but where do you begin? When selecting a specialist, ensure that you work with someone who has ample experience within the motor industry. While some companies may offer powder coating services, motor vehicles may not be their domain of expertise.
Then, take a look at online reviews and testimonials. Some companies will hold themselves in high regard without social proof to back their claims. Steer clear of companies with lambasting reviews—alloys can become expensive to replace if things go wrong.
Lastly, consider the price of a service. While working within a budget might drive your decision, keep in mind that most quality services may cost you a few hundred dollars. As a safety precaution, work with a firm that offers a guarantee for a certain period.
Conclusion
If you’re sold on powder coatings for your alloy wheels, you can rest assured that your vehicle will maintain speed and performance for years to come. Not to mention, you’ll also be doing the environment a favour.
For alloy wheel refurbishment in Essex that you can rely on, enlist our services at Wicked Rims. Our comprehensive, ten-step process ensures quality and care for your beloved vehicle.