GT3 wheel - paint or powder coated?
 

i had a little mishap this past friday night and now one of my wheels need repair. :( i heard alot of good things with the folks of Rite-Way Wheels, so i plan to have them repair it. its not a big curb rash, but its noticable. so they quote me 2 prices depending if the wheel is painted or powder coated. im not sure what it is and i was hoping someone can comfirm it for me. here's a picture of the damage. tia :D

OEM porsche wheels are painted.
That doesn't look too bad.... for the wheel. I would think the tire will have to go..

Since you are in the Bay Area, this may be a PIA, but call these guys and see what they recommend:

http://www.wheelenhancement.com/

They are Porsche wheel experts. I had my tires mounted there. Highly recommended.

ya, he was able to put his finger inside that gash. he ordered the new tire already.

thanks.. the Rite-Way confirmed its painted and my wheel should be ready for pickup tomorrow :D

thanks.. i'll look into them :D

that's good news!

Have them painted in mate color, it gives a similar look to the powder coat but much more durable and you do not have to worry about the heating process required to powder coat damaging your alloy.

I had this done on mine and I get thumbs up all the time :)

Powder coating is more durable but adds about .5 lbs per wheel in my experience.

Most people believe heating the wheels the amount required for powderocoating (400 degrees IIRC) is not enough to damage anything. After all rotors get hot enought to glow on the track and wheels are a big heat sink....

Your painted wheels look great!! It looks raced out on your car....sick nasty.

most oem paint finishes have some type of powder electro-static finish. most of all the high-end mfgrs use atleast a primer coat in powder electro-finish.

Powdercoat if I'm not mistaken usually results in a more durable but less finished look. Most PC jobs have slight imperfections compared to paint.

Paint also usually comes out more glossy by nature, unless of course you go matte or satin finish. Either one will look good IMO.

strange, the wheel restoration place says its paint. anycase, i brought the wheel to Rite Way wednesday about noon and the wheel was repaired and it was ready to pick up by thursday. the wheel finish came out perfect. i cant even see the repair work. they filled in the blemish, flatten it all out, etched the entire face painted and cleared :) my tires arrived today so, i'll have the new tires mounted tomorow. i'll post pics soon.

Hmm, well I'd trust them over me. The only reason I said that powder coating is more durable is because you can apply thicker layers without running...
I'll ask my bodyshop guy who told me tomorrow and post up if it's of any help.

It's definitely easier to powdercoat a variable surface like a wheel more evenly as compared to painting, I know that much for certain. And it make sense when you consider a powder layer being baked as compared to a thin liquid layer that's allow to succumb to gravity.

possible base coat and primer maybe electro-powder. the silver color could just be painted.

I had my stock GT2 wheels powder painted and the guys stripping mentioned that the stock finish appeared to be powder painted. as the stock finish did not strip off as just standard car paint ease.