Paint vs powder coat?

I am the proud new owner of a 2006 XSP. I absolutely love this truck. I have some things I want to do with it cosmetically, specifically wheels and tires. I was hoping you guys could give some sound advice to lead me in the right direction.



Those are 20” Enkei wheels as you can see. The previous owner had them painted. You can see where the paint is peeling down to a primer coat. I have a few questions about what to do in regards to the wheels.

1). Do you guys recommend powder-coating to avoid inevitable peeling? If so, what about the plastic center caps? I assume those can’t be powder-coated?

2). I really like the wheels, it’s what drew me to the truck, but would I be better off just trying to pick new wheels?

3). If I stick with those wheels, what tire size do you all recommend? It has 295/45/R20 on it currently. This is a very thin low-profile tire. I want something to fill in the wheel wells a little more, but I don’t want an aggressive tread. I considered 275/55R20. Thoughts?


Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

1) If someone informed you powder-coating doesn't peel, they're grossly misinformed. Powdercoat is basically melted skin over substrate, it doesn't bond with metal the same way paints do. The bad part is, unless the coat is perfectly uniform, and water-tight, water can easily get under the coating and wreak havoc, including corroding your part from the inside out, invisibly. If not laid on at the proper thickness, it can crack, flake, and peel away just as easily. Ask anyone with a poorly made roof rack from China that's been powdercoated, plenty of horror stories there ...

2) It's up to you, really. You can pretty much choose any number of OEM wheels up to a few years ago that are 6 lug, so many Tacoma and 4 Runner wheels fit. You just can't do anything Tundra from 2007+. Depends on what kinda deal you could get on sandblasting and re-painting the Enkeis I guess. Those Enkeis are sought after by some.

3) No comment. This has come up a number of times recently. I personally don't like the way these trucks look with 20s.

Oh, and check this thread out as a new owner.

 

I'm going to try and find out more info on a 'coating process' that I saw at a shop here in So Cal that I visited.
It was 'similar' to anodizing but ridiculously harder, and scratch resistant.
They had some crazy wheels in there they had done from some exotic cars . . . but what impressed me the most was how well it held up submerged in a saltwater marine environment.
I think it may have been similar (if not the same) as the titanium-nitride finishes that you see on some high end gun parts.
If I find anymore info I will report back.
. . . oh yeah, there was a decent amount of color finishes to choose from, mostly 'metallic looking' in nature.

 

1. Power coating is a bit harder and more scratch resistant than paint, but can also flake/peel off if not done properly. Paint can last a long time if the wheels are properly sand blasted and the paint is done professionally with a good clear coat.

2.I also like those wheels. I remember when they came out. The problem is by the time you have them professionally refinished, you will probably have as much money into them than what new wheels will cost. And with new wheels you can just take them to the shop and remove and replace. If you get them refinished, you are going to be without your truck for a week or so while they do it.

3. 275/55/20 will definitely look better and fill in the wheel well better. It will go from 30.5" to almost 32" dia. depending on the exact tire you pick.

 

Salt water is harsh! I'd be curious what it is.

If the wheels are full alloy, no steel anywhere, anodizing could be awesome.

This ^^

You'd be farther ahead listing these on eBay, since people actually do want them, just be very clear they need a re-paint.

Then find some Tacoma take-offs on Craigslist or FB Marketplace, NextDoor, OfferUp for $400-500.

 

I vote to keep the rims and get them repaired (correctly) if you can afford the downtime. That is if you like the rims and plan to keep the truck looking OEM(ish).
If you go with aftermarket rims save the Enkei's (if your budget allows) for a project down the road.

 

Option 4: repaint them yourself.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=9WQiqYlpxoY&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE

 

I mean look at this beauty I saw parked in the lot at work -

 

Thank you for the response and advice. The thread you linked was incredibly helpful, I was able to register my Tundra with Toyota to stay up to date on recalls and other pertinent information.

I’m still torn about the wheels and what to do with them. One thing is for certain I like that look from those 20” Enkeis, right or wrong, it’s the look that drew me to the truck (aesthetically). You make good points about powder coating vs painting, which is exactly why I raised the question on this forum. Thanks again.

 

The color finishes are a key component in the decision to be honest. Goes without saying we all have Toyota’s because of their propensity to last a long time mechanically. But that doesn’t mean we don’t all enjoy the looks and want to improve those looks.

As it pertains to those Enkei wheels I’m still learning about the different finishes. As I told a previous poster, I love those wheels. I think they’re sharp on that truck. I’m beyond a novice on the questions I ask about the wheels and painting them vs powder coating. Im not even sure the finish I want is possible.


I like the finish in the below picture the best.

Silver machined?

Could that finish be achieved via paint or powder coat?

 

I like this finish the best. Silver machined. What is that? @shifty` maybe you can shed some light?




This is “mirror finish”. They are different, right? I don’t like the mirror finish as much as I like the silver machined (if there is such a thing). Thanks again

 

Good question. In my experience, "machined" usually means they're keeping the appearance of manufacturing lines, either from actual milling, or faux milling. Usually see it on alloys, and they'll anodize it to give it a shiny, natural finish which is easy to upkeep with basic polish.

 

Is that finish something that can be achieved via paint or powder coat? We have a reputable local powder coating shop I thought maybe my best bet would be to show them this and simply ask if they can create that. Thanks again for the advice.

 

If you have a metal place that does anodizing, you may want to see if they'll let you pop by. Ask them what's involved with stripping and re-anodizing. They'll be able to tell you if it's reasonable.

Granted, I'm in Atlanta and there's at least a dozen places that do this kinda stuff within 20 miles of my house.

 

On the wheels you have shared pictures of, there appears to be 2 finishes within the wheel themselves.
The 'Outer' or 'face' portion of the 5 star legs and inner surface of the radius appear as more of a 'polished' finish.
The recessed area behind or between the stars appears to be a more 'satin' or 'machined' finish.
I'm guessing this is what gives the wheels more of a 'pop' in appearance.

Some things to keep in mind.
If you powder coat the entire wheel, (or any paint for that matter) you will lose the separation of the '2-finishes' as they will become 1 color throughout.

Also, with regards to anodizing, the 'color samples' they will have at an anodizing shop will be of a specific 'finish' of aluminum 'before anodizing, and also of a specific alloy, (like 6061 or 7075 for example). Without knowing the exact alloy of your wheels, there is no way for them to guarantee the finish will come out the way You anticipate. Any reputable anodizing shop will have a disclaimer (usually in small print) that they are not responsible for the final color finish that you expected.

I built custom trophies for 15 years and had to learn this the hard way.
There is a way that they can test for the alloy (a spectrometer I believe) but even that is not 100% guaranteed.

One option it to have them 'finished' the way you want, then have them 'clear powder coated'. Many wheel shops here in So Cal do this all the time. That usually just adds just a very slight muted look . . . but then they're powder coated . . . .

 

That's the trick: Finding someone who knows how to do it right.

Lay it on too thick, it's prone to chip, and kills any seams and body lines that makes things look crisp and clean. Lay it on too thin, you risk corrosion or potentially water entry. It's actually really similar to paint in that way.

 

If you like them, I vote buy some cheap steelies, have your new tires mounted on those, then take your time to save and do the refinishing right. Then, when they're done, swap the tires over to your new wheels and sell the steelies for probably what you got them for.

 

Update….

Just got my Tundra back today from having the wheels refinished and new tires put on. I need to wash and shine the truck, and get a little tire black on, but I’m really pleased with the outcome. This project has been about 3 months in the making. Take a look. I believe the stance and overall look is much better than the previous low-profile look on the tires

 

Removed the runningboards today. Still contemplating whether to replace or leave them off. I actually quite like the look without, and have found it easier to get in and out of the truck.

 

They refinished the wheels with tires on them?