Despite being one of the smaller components of the exterior, a car's wheels can really make or break its appearance. By having a nice set of rims and a great ride height adjustment, you can turn a car that is ready for the scrap heap into a head turner. The opposite case is also true: poor wheels will take away from a masterpiece of a vehicle. By using a powder coat, you will be able to give your set of wheels a great service and make them stand out. Here are some tips to do just that.

Preparation

Just like painting a car, powder coating requires that the surface be clean and has no materials that will cause the coating to not apply comprehensively. You should use a pressure washer in order to blast any of these excess substances off of your wheels. When you powder coat, you are building a high quality coating that will give a smooth and alluring look to the wheels.

There are many different products available that you can use to help clean the wheels, including chemical and mechanical options. When the wheels have been washed down, use a solvent to remove any grime or grease. While doing this, you should wear a set of durable gloves in order to avoid damaging your hands as well as to prevent the oil that is found on your skin from causing imperfections on the wheels when they have been powder coated.

Make sure that you have properly grounded the wheels and taped up any components that shouldn't be powder coated. You should use a high temperature masking tape to mask off any holes where the wheels fit onto the vehicle, as you don't want to have any problems refitting the wheels.

Application

Make sure that your wheels are properly protected before you apply the powder. Using an effective powder gun will provide a smooth and complete cover on the surfaces. You don't want to have any missed spots or imperfections after you are done.

Always add an extra layer of powder, as this will make future cleaning of dust and grime much easier. If you wish to get a very deep and wet looking finish, apply a high gloss powder as your second layer. Applying a coat of powder to the inside of the wheels will also protect them from corroding. You can use a more basic coating for the inside of the wheels, as they will not be seen once they are re-attached.