Powder Coating Dooley Wheels ?

[Diesel Dad]

I have a 2001 3500. The factory trim rings scratched the wheels every time the wheels were rotated, scratching the wheels and causing rust. Needless to say, the trim rings are now in the garbage,

I'm considering getting the wheels powder coated to restore the finish and provide more durability.

The cost looks like about $10 CDN/wheel to sandblast and $35 CDN/wheel to powder coat, in the finish of your choice :). Total cost about $30 USD/wheel.

Has anyone tried this ? Any thoughts on how well it might hold up ?

Thanks.

[atvpilot]

I had a 98 Dually and I ran 2 sets of rims and tires. All I did was take a scuff pad and rough up the surface and resprayed the wheels. That was it plain and simple. Better off spray painting, then if you have anymore scratches just give a shot.That's just my 2 cents :D

[Jelisfc]

Powder paint works great. Never tried it on rims though. Make sure they use a UV resistant paint, some powder paints aren't. You can also get different levels of gloss. The process is the same but just like spray painting the results vary by vendor.

[a64pilot]

If you do it let us know how it works. I have the same problem as you and everone else on the scratching issue, I never thought about powder coating though. Thought I would just have to live with it, because I don't have the cash to drop for fancy wheels.

[Diesel Dad]

I plan to go ahead with the powder coating next week. Since I only have one set of wheels, the truck will be up on jacks for a week while this happens.

I know nothing about the multitude of powder coat finishes out there, so any advice on what might be similar to the factory silver but durable and low maintenance would be appreciated.

[Diesel Dad]

Took the truck in today to remove the wheels. Should be at the sandblasting place right now.

I'll post pictures and an update at the end of the week (hopefully).

My father-in-law also bought a used 3500. His wheels look even worse than mine did due to stone chips from gravel roads + winter road salt.

Wonder if there are any 3500s that don't have rusted wheels ....

[Cowboy_120]

I doubt it. I was angry that they would even put painted steel wheels on a 50K truck. Dodge and Ford seem to do okay with thier wheels.
I ended up just buying stainless steel simulators to put on them. They are nice and bright, only cost me $300 and have gone through 1 full winter with no rust at all.
ONe of these days I will buy some new rims, but they are just too dang expensive

[Diesel Dad]

Done. Took the truck in to get the wheels off on Monday morning. Right over to Big Rig sandblasting Monday afternoon. On to Amnor powder coating on Tuesday. Picked up on Thursday and back on the truck.

I ended up with a silver powder coat similar to the original finish with primer underneath and clear coat over the top. The only cosmetic issue is a little bubbling along the welds between the inner and outer wheels.

The total cost to sandblast and powder coat was $55/wheel CDN. Looks fine. Need to see how it holds up.

Not sure it was as cost effective as simulators, but I can always add them later now that the wheels aren't rusting.

Can't post pictures today since we are getting a spring blizzard with 15cm of new snow.

[ 04-27-2003: Message edited by: Diesel Dad ]</p>

[Diesel Dad]

Well -- two years later, this was a waste of time and money. Maybe chroming would have been better.

I plan to get simulators. Would have been more cost effective in the first place.

Moral of the story is don't waste money powder coating your wheels.

[hd90rider]

I have a set of simulators make me an offer. very good condition paid around $300 for them