Beyond Black: How to Powder Coat Rims for Custom Aesthetics Franklin

When most people search how to powder coat rims, they envision a standard gloss black or matte black finish. While these are timeless classics, the world of powder coating offers a spectrum of customization that rivals any automotive paint. Rusty Lions in Oakland, NJ, treats wheel refinishing as an art form, allowing customers to express their personality through their vehicle.

The Spectrum of Colors Unlike the limited rows of spray paint at a hardware store, powder coating comes in thousands of variations.

• Solids: From Ferrari Red to Kawaski Green, you can match your wheels to your calipers, your interior stitching, or create a bold contrast.


• Metallics: These powders contain metallic flakes that shimmer in the sunlight, mimicking the depth of high-end automotive paint.


• Candies: Translucent powders applied over a chrome or silver base coat. This creates a deep, "wet" look that seems to glow from within. Learning how to powder coat rims with candy colors requires high skill to ensure even thickness, as any variation changes the color depth.

Textures and Finishes The "feel" of the wheel is just as important as the look.

• Gloss: The classic "wet" look. It’s easy to clean and makes colors pop.


• Matte/Satin: A stealthy, modern look that hides brake dust well.


• Wrinkle/Texture: These finishes have a tactile, rough surface. They are incredibly durable and rugged, often used on off-road trucks or military vehicles.

Two-Tone and Custom Masking For those asking how to powder coat rims with multiple colors, the answer lies in high-temperature masking. Rusty Lions can create two-tone effects. For example, the face of the spokes can be polished or brushed aluminum, while the pockets and barrel are coated in black. This requires coating the wheel, curing it, masking off the areas to remain black, and then applying a clear coat over the whole wheel. It is a labor-intensive process that results in a high-end, custom look.

The Clear Coat Advantage Just like car paint, powder coating often benefits from a clear coat.

• Protection: A clear powder coat adds another layer of protection against UV rays and physical scratches.


• Depth: It adds optical depth to metallic and candy powders.


• Gloss Level: You can change the sheen of a base color. For example, putting a matte clear over a gloss red gives a unique "frozen" red look.

Consultation with Experts Choosing the right color can be overwhelming. The team at Rusty Lions doesn't just know how to powder coat rims; they know design. They can advise on what colors will complement your car’s paint code. They can show you physical samples (swatches) so you can see how the color looks in natural light versus shop light.

Conclusion Don't settle for "stock." Your wheels are the shoes of your car. Whether you want a subtle OEM restoration or a wild, color-shifting candy finish, Rusty Lions has the palette and the expertise to make it happen. They redefine how to powder coat rims by turning a technical process into a creative one.

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