does anyone know what type of paiting process is used on the wheels that come painted from the factory?
are they dipped in paint or powdercoated or just painted and then baked?

 

they are either painted or anodized. some american made wheels are powdercoated

 

this right here for example.

 

most likely just painted and clearcoated. most likely some type of automated process within the manufacturer.

 

because when i paint mine they get chipped pretty easily.
even when i lay many coats on it they still chip very easy.

and dont look as smooth.

 

best thing to do is get them all the way down to the metal by bringing them to a chemical stripper place then primer then sand them slightly then spray the base then clear then color sand them.

 

thats what i did, used wheel paint as well
self etching primer, black primer, black wheel paint and clear coat. and i still get the chips on the rim.

 

have them powdercoated. end all ur chip problems

 

I always thought powder coating was more resistant to chipping, but not completely out of the clear from chipping due to road debris. Doesn't the powder coating process also make the wheel weaker because it heats up the wheel?

 

most powders only require the wheel to be baked at 350-400 degrees for 10 min. I don't really think it would effect the strength on the wheel.

 

there are different temps most pro powdercoating shops should go by depending on the type of metal they are working with.

 

Agreed a pro shop should be aware of this, just had a set of HRE's coated. Required ordering a special low bake powder and for the oven to not exceed 325*.

Ive been tossing the idea around of just painting my oem NSX wheels but honestly pc is less of a headache and guaranteed results. With proper attention I havent had a single set of pc wheels chip.