Frequently asked questions
Answers about powder coating, our process, turnaround, warranty and what we can and cannot coat.
How much does it cost to powder coat rims black?
The same as any standard color: most loose wheels run $125–150 each, and small alloys up to 17" in gloss black start at $100. With the tires on, add $25 per tire, and with the car dropped off a set of four starts at $600. Semigloss Black, Wet Black and Matte Black are the three blacks we are asked for most; all three are listed under popular wheel finishes.
Do you powder coat wheels with the tires on?
Yes, bring them as they are. With the tires on, add $25 per tire to the wheel price; that covers dismounting, mounting and balancing on our leverless changer, so the wheel is never marked. If the car comes in, the full service from $600 for a set of four includes the tire work too. New tires can be quoted with the job; we beat most tire quotes.
How long does it take to powder coat wheels?
Loose wheels are usually back in 1–2 weeks, non-expedited. If you drop off the vehicle, it is booked Monday–Friday at 9am and ready the next day at 6pm, stored indoors in between. Need them sooner? Ask when you request the quote; a rush is sometimes possible for a fee.
Can you powder coat aluminum wheels?
Yes. Most of the wheels we coat are aluminum alloys. Each one soaks in a chemical stripper that dissolves the old finish and leaves the metal alone, then gets a light blast with 80–120 grit aluminum oxide and a preheat to burn off whatever is left in the pores. No burn-off oven and no hard blasting, which are the two things that damage an aluminum wheel. See why we strip first.
Can powder coated calipers handle the heat?
For street use, yes. Powder coating is our preferred finish for brake calipers: on the street they rarely get over 250°F, which is where a powder finish can start to degrade and fade. We’ve had good feedback from customers on light track days too, though a lot depends on the setup, how fast the brakes cool down and whether you run cool-down laps.
If you plan to track the car, Cerakote is typically rated to about 500°F and resists overheating better. It comes in far fewer colors than powder coat and costs more, so unless the brakes are being abused, powder coat is usually the better option.
How much does it cost to powder coat wheels or brake calipers?
Wheels. Most loose wheels run $125–150 each, and small alloys up to 17" in gloss black start at $100. With the tires on, add $25 per tire for dismount, mount and balance. Wheel service with the car dropped off starts at $600 for a set of four. The options are on the wheel powder coating page.
Brake calipers. Most sets run $600–800 coated and rebuilt with new seals, up to $1,000 for more pistons, parts or a complex color. Fully disassembled calipers are from $100 each for coating only, a five-business-day rush adds $100, and with the car dropped off it starts at $1,200. See brake caliper powder coating, or mail them in.
Everything else is quoted from a photo: text us a picture at 972-809-0768 or request an estimate. These are starting points. Your price depends on the parts, the color and how fast you need them back.
Why do you chemically strip wheels before powder coating?
Because a finish is only as good as the metal under it. There are a few common ways to deal with the old finish on a wheel:
- Coat over it. Quick, but the new finish is only as sound as the old one underneath, and old chips and edges show through.
- Burn it off. Long, hot oven cycles remove the coating, and that much heat can damage an aluminum wheel.
- Go straight to sandblasting. Taking a full factory finish off by blasting alone means blasting hard, which can also damage the metal.
We do it the slow way. Every wheel soaks in a chemical stripper that dissolves the old finish and leaves the metal alone. Then a light blast with fine aluminum oxide gives the powder a surface to grip, and a preheat burns off whatever is left in the pores. That clean bare-metal start is what makes the custom and multi-stage finishes possible, and what makes them last.
Do you sell tires and wheels?
Yes, and we beat most tire and wheel quotes. If your wheels are coming in for coating, ask about tires before you buy them somewhere else, so the new set goes on while the wheels are already off the car. Text us the quote you have. If you bring your own tires, independent tire service is $35–65 per tire.
Can you paint the logo or lettering on my calipers?
It depends on what you mean. We don’t paint logos: on about 95% of our projects the logo is a vinyl sticker applied after coating, which looks right and lasts. Raised or recessed lettering can sometimes be two-toned instead. Say what you’re after when you request a quote and we’ll tell you which one fits your calipers.
Do I need an appointment?
No. Walk in any time Monday through Friday, 11am to 7pm. The exception is vehicle drop-offs, which we book at 9am so the car is ready the next day at 6pm. Hours can shift with the season, so a quick call or text before you drive over is a good idea.
Which powder should I use?
Ask us. Outdoor, high heat, chemicals, salt, sunlight and touch all point to different powders, and the wrong one fails early. We know the materials and will recommend one for where the part will live, including when a color you like isn’t the right chemistry for the job.
Can you match my car’s factory paint color?
We can get close, and we’ll say so honestly. Through Prismatic Powders’ color match service we can bring in a powder matched to a factory paint code (Corvette C8 colors are a common request; we’ve done Aztec Gold, among others). We don’t advertise an exact match because “close enough” is your call, so we make a recommendation and let you compare samples before we spray. A custom-made color is also possible: it starts around $1,000 for a 44 lb box with a lead time of five weeks or more.
Do you only do car parts?
No, and people ask us that every week. About half of what we coat isn’t automotive: window trim, frames, covers, panels, enclosures, railings, furniture and industrial parts, a lot of it on a deadline. Complex masking and custom colors are a specialty. See anything metal.
Can you paint the Brembo or Akebono lettering?
We don’t paint logos. On nearly every job the logo is a vinyl sticker applied after coating, which looks right and lasts. Raised or recessed lettering can sometimes be two-toned instead. Tell us what you want when you request your quote.
Do I need to remove the pistons before shipping?
Not for the standard job. Leave pistons and seals in; we remove and inspect them as part of every coat-and-rebuild, and replace worn ones from a rebuild kit. If you’d rather do the rebuild yourself, send the calipers fully disassembled for coating only, from $100 each.
How long is mail-in, door to door?
Plan on one to two weeks, including transit each way. Rush service is five business days in the shop plus expedited shipping.
Can I mail you parts?
Yes. Brake calipers are the most common mail-in job; see the mail-in instructions. You can send them assembled for a full coat-and-rebuild, or fully disassembled (pistons and seals out) for coating only from $100 each. For other parts, request an estimate first and we will confirm before you ship.
How long does it take?
Loose parts and wheels: 1–2 weeks without an expedite fee. Vehicle wheel drop-off: about 2 days, booked Monday–Friday at 9am with the vehicle ready the next day at 6pm. Brake calipers: about 2 weeks, or 5 business days on a rush for an extra $100. Mail-in calipers: 1–2 weeks door to door. Small rush jobs can often go faster; ask.
Do you refinish chrome wheels?
No for wheels. Chrome has to be chemically removed before it can be coated, and on a wheel that isn’t worth the risk. Chrome motorcycle parts, Harley parts especially, are case by case: if the chrome holds up to sandblasting without peeling we can coat over it, and if it lifts we can sometimes blend it at $125 an hour. Quoted per part; see the motorcycle page.
Anything special about valve covers?
Remove any baffles before bringing us a valve cover if you can. When they cannot be removed we mask before sandblasting so nothing gets inside. Silicone plugs and high-temp tape keep powder off mating surfaces. Two-tone, brushed or polished letters and vinyl stickers are all options. Powder coat is the best way to restore a valve cover.
How big a part can you handle?
If it is metal and fits in an 8 × 8 × 12 ft oven, we can coat it. That covers everything from Yeti tumblers and bicycle frames to furniture, railings and signs. Ask about anything larger.
Can you powder coat plastic?
No. We can coat nearly anything metal that fits in our equipment. Our largest oven is 8 × 8 × 12 ft and the sandblast cabinet is 8 × 4 × 3 ft.
What is your warranty?
We offer a one-year warranty on coating failure and defects. Damage from corrosion, road hazards, chemicals, climate, design or neglect is not covered. The warranty is for the coating only, at our discretion, and does not cover installation, removal, equipment or transportation. It is only valid for parts the customer agreed to have sandblasted.
How do I get something powder coated?
The fastest way to get a quote is to text us a picture at 972-809-0768. You can also stop by during business hours with the project, no appointment needed, or send us a description with photos, dimensions, the condition of the parts and the color you want. Once we have your parts, typical lead time without expedite fees is 1–2 weeks. We usually ask that parts be disassembled as far as possible.
What is your process?
Nearly every part starts with chemical stripping or degreasing so we have raw metal. Parts are preheated up to 480°F to burn off contamination, then sandblasted with 80 grit aluminum oxide at high volume and low pressure to clean and profile the metal without being aggressive on it. High-temp tape and silicone plugs protect mating surfaces. Damaged parts are sanded, welded, filled with epoxy metal filler or primed as needed.
What is powder coating?
Powder coating is like melting a plastic onto metal. It is an industrial coating that looks like paint but is much more durable. A gun sprays electrically charged powder onto a grounded part, and each layer adds about a sheet of paper’s worth of thickness. A coating is only as good as the surface under it, so preparation is the most time-consuming and most important part of the job.
Still have a question?
Call or text 972-809-0768, or send photos with your question.