Considering having my alloy wheels powder coated - should I?

[Andy B]

Hi all,

I have a Sonic Grey 2022 NX350h in the Premium Plus specification. As part of this spec, the car comes with 20" 5-spoke alloys in a dark grey (gun metal?) colour. Although I like the design of the wheels there is no colour contrast between them and the car itself (they are pretty much the same colour). When I ordered the car I wanted other aspects of the Premium Plus trim so decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with it. I thought that this colour combination would grow on me but it's still the only thing that I mildly dislike about the whole car. So, I'm considering having them powder coated to something like the common or garden silver colour that you see on most cars. I plan to keep the car for quite a while yet so I feel that it could be a good investment.

I'd like to hear experiences from any LOC members that have had their wheels powder coated, specifically:-

• How much is it likely to cost?
• How long does it take (i.e. would my car be out of action for longer than a day or two)?
• Would this be considered a modification by my insurer (or even my PCP provider - Lexus Finance)?
• Would doing this have an impact on future resale value (either at a Lexus dealer for p/x or with a private buyer) as the car is no longer standard specification?
• What impact would this have on the durability of the wheels themselves (i.e. would they be more prone to deterioration or kerbing)?
• Aside from powder coating, what other options are available to me to achieve the same result?

If I get more negative than positive responses to the above I'll probably give up on the idea and live with how they are at the moment.

Thanks all. Any responses much appreciated, as always.

 

[rayaans]

4 hours ago, Andy B said:

Hi all,

I have a Sonic Grey 2022 NX350h in the Premium Plus specification. As part of this spec, the car comes with 20" 5-spoke alloys in a dark grey (gun metal?) colour. Although I like the design of the wheels there is no colour contrast between them and the car itself (they are pretty much the same colour). When I ordered the car I wanted other aspects of the Premium Plus trim so decided to bite the bullet and go ahead with it. I thought that this colour combination would grow on me but it's still the only thing that I mildly dislike about the whole car. So, I'm considering having them powder coated to something like the common or garden silver colour that you see on most cars. I plan to keep the car for quite a while yet so I feel that it could be a good investment.

I'd like to hear experiences from any LOC members that have had their wheels powder coated, specifically:-

• How much is it likely to cost?
• How long does it take (i.e. would my car be out of action for longer than a day or two)?
• Would this be considered a modification by my insurer (or even my PCP provider - Lexus Finance)?
• Would doing this have an impact on future resale value (either at a Lexus dealer for p/x or with a private buyer) as the car is no longer standard specification?
• What impact would this have on the durability of the wheels themselves (i.e. would they be more prone to deterioration or kerbing)?
• Aside from powder coating, what other options are available to me to achieve the same result?

If I get more negative than positive responses to the above I'll probably give up on the idea and live with how they are at the moment.

Thanks all. Any responses much appreciated, as always.

 

Cost - roughly around £70-100 a wheel. It normally takes around 1-2 days so yes it will be out of action for that period of time. Its not a modification and in all cases you should NOT tell your insurer about changing the colour of your wheels. 

It generally depends on whether it will affect resale value. Some customers may be particular and think the wheels have been extensively kerbed hence the refurb. It will be non original and customers will be able to tell this, as will Lexus dealers who take the p/x. 

Usually powder coated wheels are more durable but the trade off is that the finish is nowhere near as good or uniform as a painted finish. 

You have the option of getting them diamond cut or wrapped. 

[Illogan]

Hi Andy,

I recently had my car's wheels powder-coated at The Wheel Specialist, (15% discount for being a Lexus Owners Club 'gold' member)

They were extremely efficient, (in at 16:00 hrs day 1, collected at 15:00hrs next day).

My wheels had never been kerbed, or damaged, but at 9yrs of age, the inboard paint was peeling off)

The Wheel Specialist made a great job of the coating, a beautifully smooth finish, refitted tyres on the original locations, & rebalanced the wheels.

Cost, after discount, about £380.

 

I'm very pleased with the result

[Malc1]

is it 4 wheels or maybe 5  ?

Malc

[Spock66]

Personally I think darker wheels look better, plus I would not consider doing this to a new car, I doubt the finish would be as good as the factory originals.

[Andy B]

17 hours ago, Malc1 said:

is it 4 wheels or maybe 5  ?

Malc

It's 4 wheels Malc - no spare wheel on the 2nd Gen NX.

[Andy B]

16 hours ago, Spock66 said:

Personally I think darker wheels look better, plus I would not consider doing this to a new car, I doubt the finish would be as good as the factory originals.

I'm not against darker wheels per se - it's just that there is no colour contrast between the car and the wheels. (First world problems, I know!)

[Sundance]

Hi Andy,

Wheel/body colour contrast is very subjective. I bought mine for the condition & mileage not the alloys. I don't think I've seen another IS250 like it and oddly I think silver suits the car better, but then it was a bit of fun having the 'bad boy' look for a couple of years ...

[Spacewagon52]

Personally I do not like black wheels - silver / chrome wheels are my prefered choice on any colour car.

My father-in-law had a Rover SD1, he stripped the black paint off the hub caps and the plain silver looked fantastic.

[Poundy]

On 8/2/2023 at 10:40 AM, Andy B said:

I'm not against darker wheels per se - it's just that there is no colour contrast between the car and the wheels. (First world problems, I know!)

Had my wife's CT done last week fixed a bit of kerb rash cleaned, stripped, powder coated and painted silver sparkle, then oven baked. I dropped them off just before close on Tuesday and picked them up the following night.  It's the time spent in the stripping tank and later in the oven that takes the time. Haggled for my 17" and managed £240 the set, top Job.