Looking to get my very rusty 16” steel rims blasted and coated.

First estimate was $125 per wheel.

Does that sound like a reasonable rate?

I’m not so concerned about a perfect finish, and could buy a needle gun for $50, followed by a few coats of rattle-can.

Anyone gone that route before?

 

$125 per wheel seems like an OK price point for a professional. But if the surface finish isn't that important to you I would strongly consider your DIY option. Honestly, for $500 bucks all in you could get a cheap powder coat gun, powder, and a junkyard oven and powder coat your wheels yourself and then still have all the equipment on hand for the next time you want to powder coat. Take it from me: It's a little addictive and you'll want to do it to every metal component you can get your hands on.

 

For the work involved in blasting and coating, I figured the price was decent. Good to get a second opinion.

Thats a great video. Pity I don't have room for that kind of operation. If I ever get my big garage/workshop built …..

I might breathe deep and get them coated.

I’d strip/paint them for half the price, they wouldn't be as good, not to mention the hours.

Hmm. Maybe I just get them blasted, DIY paint.

Choices.

 

Shop around a bit and you might find someone to blast/paint for $80/wheel.

The other option is to consider that they are just steelies so take your drill and wire wheel them, acetone wipe down and coat with rustoleum rust reformer and then a coat of the wheel paint of your choice and call it good for a few years.

 

No point in spending major money on them if you're going to beat them up again. I'd have to powdercoat my wheels like twice a year to keep them looking good...if it's mainly street then sure go for it but still think a rattle can is good enough as they are still just steelies in the end.

 

I blasted my Hurricanes with a decades old Craftsman sandblaster. Getting through the paint was relatively easy. Getting through the primer took FOREVER. After 2.5 wheels I gave up and took them to a body shop who blasted the rest for $80. It was a pretty rough blast and left the aluminum "textured" if you look at them closely. I powdercoated them at a friend's house for about $50 in powder. Each wheel takes about 45min in the oven to reach 400° and the fumes are pretty heady so wear a respirator.













In the end I paid roughly $35 per wheel for supplies and labor. All in it took days of sweat equity and time. NO WAY was it worth the savings. $125 might seem like a lot, especially times 5, but if you're thinking this is an easy way to save a few bucks it's anything but. If there's a next time I will drop them off somewhere and return with a checkbook. For trail wheels I agree with whowa004 and would consider the wire wheel and some renewable paint.

 

Had my '00 18" wheels done by a local Powdercoat company for about that much. They blasted, and powder coated all 5 wheels. Looks great and they are holding up nicely for Indiana weather and off/on with brake and hub service.

 

Truck looks good with no rub strip.

 

I did a deal with the guy, $110 per wheel. Happy with that, considering what work is involved.

Thanks folks.

If anyone is interested they are with https://chem-tron.com in Danbury, CT.

 

Pittsburgh, $450 for all 5 including the dismount / mount and balance