Powder Coating: Media blast or scotch brite

[pfbz]

I have a new Ford F150 truck, 18" "Machined Aluminum Wheels". They have black highlights on them and do not require polishing, so I assume they are either painted or powder coated from the factory.

I want them powder coated completely satin black.

Most powder coaters in the area insist they need to be media blasted before powder coating. Cost of ~$90+ per wheel for quantity eight wheels.

One powder coater, that seems to be a reputable shop with a pretty large operation, says they can be media blasted, but new wheels do not require it. A simple solvent/scotch-brite prep will yield excellent, durable results. They also have offered great pricing, $280 for all eight, or $35/wheel.

Any thoughts?
Is the "they don't need to be media blasted" shop too good to be true?
Are the OEM wheels likely powder coated or painted with clear coat?
If they are powder coated and in perfect condition, can you effectively powder coat over them without a full media blast?

Thanks in advance. Obviously my knowledge of powder coating isn't great, but I know there must be some experts on this forum!

 

[buildmyown]

As someone that has been powder coating for the last 6 years I will not coat anything that has not been media blasted. I will also not go over other coatings. Not all coatings are compatable just like paints and can cause problems.

Without media blasting there is no etch to the metal so the coating has nothing to bond to. Ever wounder why all factory wheels peel in short time its because of the lack of prep. All the factory does is hangem and bangem.

The first shops sound like custom shops the the last shop at $35/wheel sounds like a production shop that will just hangem and bangem on a line to get them out the door.

My average on wheels is $100 per wheel and thats for a single stage in stock color and includes all prep except for mounting and dismounting tires.

 

[Catamount]

Powdercoat requires bare metal. Period. That rim is going to bake at 350 - 400 degrees... your base layer is going to melt / outgas / smoke and otherwise ruin the new PC finish. Also not sure how he'd be able to ground a painted part either.

Stay far, far away from that guy.

 

[o1marc]

I am a professional Custom Coater also and agree with the previous posts. Nothing leaves my shop that hasn't been media blasted by me or my commercial blaster who understands my needs. I also get $100 for a single stage instock color for wheels. The no blasting place is definately a production hang em and bang em shop. I would stay away from then if you are looking for any kind of quality show finish. As far as coating over someone elses coating as mentioned you dont know if it is a compatible powder or not and when the clear coat fails under your new shiney coat guess who is gonna get blamed?

 

[98TJ]

X whatever on blasting. Only way to do it.

 

[BTG]

Agree with the others. We have a PowderCoat/Ceramic Coating shop and the only wheels we'll coat without blasting are polished rims that are getting a tinted clear. Anything else gets baked off first, then blasted to bare metal. Any shop that doesn't blast you should stay away from.

BTW, we'd charge $85-$90 per wheel for that size.