I didn't get any response in the Wheel forum so here we go.

I have 18" work meister s2r's that were damaged when the detail shop didn't wipe when they should've. Now my polished lips are cloudy and blotchy. I'm considering having the centers powdercoated black and anodizing the lips red. My first question is, is it more expensive typically to anodize then powdercoat? One shop told me that they could do a candy red powdercoat (transparent) that would look similar, but will it really give me the same effect? Opinions?

 

I've always thought that anodizing was more expensive then powdercoating, but i've never had it done before. I think it works similar to chroming where the wheel will need to be dipped so I guess you would have that done before powdercoating the centers. I have experience with translucent or candy powdercoats from doing my valve cover and I can say that it is VERY hard to get it done flawlessly, at least it was for us when we did a candy blue powdercoat. Its much easier to do regular powdercoats, but I guess it depends on the shop that you go to. Just some food for thought, sorry this wasn't more informative.

 

a shop around here quoted me $40 per wheel for anodizing .. $90 per wheel for the harder anodizing that has more resistance to chipping etc.

 

You do not anodize wheels. Anodizing is extremely weak. Have your lips repolished, and cleared.

 

This guy is an expert, he PC'd my valve cover. Listen to him!

 

If you roll your car on some grass, the grass is strong enough to scratch your anodized lips, let alone road debris. Get that idea out of your head. You only anodize parts that will not be touched, like pulleys, etc.

 

hmmm, ok. Thanks for the info. Maybe I should so with my original idea and have them PC'd Takata green?

 

Anodizing is just adding an oxide layer (think rust) to the metal. It is very eary to scratch it off, and the layer is extremely thin.

Powdercoating is about as tough of a finish that you can get.