Wheel Damage - Need Opinions!

[NAiLs]

Hey guys!  I got some new meats (Continental Extreme Contact DWS... which rock) installed on my '11 SHO on Friday and low and behold, Goodyear freaking damaged all of my rims in the process.  Needless to say, I'm super pissed off about it.  The service advisor was informed prior to my departure of the lot and next day claimed to have chatted with the owner of the shop, with the owner saying they didn't damage the rims and they weren't going to do anything.  I called BS, showed them some pictures I took of before and after my visit, and even chatted with the owner in person yesterday.  The owner acknowledged that they indeed damaged 3 out of 4 rims.  I got no apologies from the shop, mind you...  In short, the service advisor was just trying to make the owner look like a hard-ass, when he was genuinely a pleasant man to speak with.  He agreed to fix 3 out of 4 right now and it seemed like he had to debate the 4th.  (It is light damage on the one wheel, but it's damage nonetheless).  I'm probably going to ask that they pay for the 4th since I will be without transportation for 3 days...  (I have my G8, but she's a garage queen and won't come out when it rains)

So, with that said, I was informed to stop by a body shop that can probably repair my wheels.  I stopped there today and the guy was semi-hesitant due to the paint on the rims being a super fine metallic paint.  He didn't think he had the right stuff to 100% match it, but he would research it.

I questioned powder coating and he said that would be a lot less labor and a better overall finish compared to just painting, but he didn't give me a quote on that just yet.  I also questioned a different color to go with the car and he liked that idea, too.

Sooo..... what would you guys suggest?  I haven't the slightest clue what to expect for an estimate on powder coating, but if it's only a few bucks more than paint and the shop owner only agrees to do the paint price, I'll pay the difference I guess.  What color would you go with on these split 5-spoke rims?  My SHO is that sexy Kona Blue that sparkles like mad in the sun!  I've not changed any of the chrome out on the car (no plans to), so I'm not 100% sure I want black rims... that might be too tacky for me?

I kinda wish I snapped a picture of my car tonight after I washed her up to play with some colors on my computer.

I've attached a picture of the damage on one of the wheels.

Thanks!

-Brian

[SwampRat]

Powder coat for sure ... its more durable than paint even if it is baked enamel.
Tons of powder coat finishes are available .

[SHOdded]

Thought I was reading bamsho (Brian's) story for a second!  You are already ahead of the game with them admitting responsibility.  I would go powdercoat or replace as a set.  Color matching is important if you like to stare at your wheels for any length of time.

[NAiLs]

Is powder coating quite a bit more expensive?

I saw another recent thread where another person was looking at powder coating their wheels and this was one of the finishes recommended:

http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colors/PMB-5969/

I am quite liking that one and it looks like the website has free samples.  I've got a couple weeks before I can even have this completed, since I'm 1 of 2 on-site IT guys and the other guy is on vacation.     Would these rims look goofy in a gunmetal?  Are there any other color recommendations on Kona Blue?

I'm definitely aiming for them to pay for all 4 rims since all 4 have new damage.  There is no way I'd let one rim sit without being repaired... I'd cry every time I looked at my car if I didn't.

[SwampRat]

Blue Star

http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colors/P-5142B/

[LowFrequencies]

I was quoted roughly $400 to do my 4 20" offroad rims by my local PC guy.  That's blasting them fully and doing the entire wheel (inside lip and all).  Powder is definitely the way to go, though.  My bumpers are powdercoated and are damn near a perfect match t o the Tuxedo Black Metallic (it's so close it's not even off...).  Can't say you'll have the same luck with the factory color, but it won't really matter as long as they do all four!

[bigmoneycloser]

I like the powder coating on my wheels. Mine are matte graphite. I paid $150 per wheel. Might be cheaper if you don't live in New Jersey....lol
Also, you might consider having them put a matching Clear coat over them. They offer matte, satin, semi and gloss to match or contrast with your color...
I say that only because of cleaning. I have heavy brake dust with my wilwood brakes(I think the pads are a metal base) which really sticks to the powder. I "think" a nice clear coat would give you a ton less headaches when it's time to clear the wheels both with ability to use harsher cleaner and ease of cleaning.
I'm switching to ceramic pads, which I hope will ease my brake issue by at least 50%. (Metal dust rusts on wheel and drives me crazy)

[SHOdded]

Going slightly OT.  Products like Iron-X should take care of any metallic dust anywhere on your vehicle, bmc.  You'll be amazed how much junk is hiding in your paint.  Sonax Full Effect is a pretty good wheel cleaner as well.  Plenty of videos of products like these up on YT.  Look for head to head comparisons.

[bamsho]

I so feel you pain.  I was just thru 3 weeks of hell with my 2012 over the same issue of damaged rims.  I ended up getting all 4 replaced thru RockAuto for $1100.  They are refurbed wheels and I'm very pleased on how they looked.  Here are pics of my new rims.

http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/bamkmm91/media/New%20SHO%20wheels/DSCF2156_zpsff31a96a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

[NAiLs]

Blue Star

http://www.prismaticpowders.com/colors/P-5142B/

That's actually a really nice color, but dang would that be too much blue for me!  Need something to contrast the wheels.  I've always liked a graphite or gunmetal color, but I haven't had a chance to research and see what other folk's cars look like with these.

I was quoted roughly $400 to do my 4 20" offroad rims by my local PC guy.  That's blasting them fully and doing the entire wheel (inside lip and all).  Powder is definitely the way to go, though.  My bumpers are powdercoated and are damn near a perfect match t o the Tuxedo Black Metallic (it's so close it's not even off...).  Can't say you'll have the same luck with the factory color, but it won't really matter as long as they do all four!

$400 would be super!  If painting is right in that neighborhood, I'd tell him to do powder.  Did you also have a clear put on them?  I know the guy I spoke with yesterday said powder coating is quite a bit less labor intensive due to the ease of sand blasting, and regular painting can be a hassle because of all of the sanding that needs to be done.

I like the powder coating on my wheels. Mine are matte graphite. I paid $150 per wheel. Might be cheaper if you don't live in New Jersey....lol
Also, you might consider having them put a matching Clear coat over them. They offer matte, satin, semi and gloss to match or contrast with your color...
I say that only because of cleaning. I have heavy brake dust with my wilwood brakes(I think the pads are a metal base) which really sticks to the powder. I "think" a nice clear coat would give you a ton less headaches when it's time to clear the wheels both with ability to use harsher cleaner and ease of cleaning.
I'm switching to ceramic pads, which I hope will ease my brake issue by at least 50%. (Metal dust rusts on wheel and drives me crazy)

Do you have any pics?  I am on a pretty crappy connection at the moment so I haven't had a chance to search.  I'd definitely want a nice clear put on top to protect the finish.  I'm hoping to keep the car for another 3-4 years or so... it just depends what kind of mechanical issues I run into when she's aged.

Going slightly OT.  Products like Iron-X should take care of any metallic dust anywhere on your vehicle, bmc.  You'll be amazed how much junk is hiding in your paint.  Sonax Full Effect is a pretty good wheel cleaner as well.  Plenty of videos of products like these up on YT.  Look for head to head comparisons.

Sweet!  Thanks for the tip on the cleaner!  I'm going to be detailing my SHO and G8 soon, now that the weather in Wisconsin has gotten above freezing and is constantly in the 60's or higher.  The SHO will get clay, polish, and wax, so anything to help along the way will be great.  Man is that going to be one loooooong day.  I'm definitely waiting until the wheels are done, though.

I so feel you pain.  I was just thru 3 weeks of hell with my 2012 over the same issue of damaged rims.  I ended up getting all 4 replaced thru RockAuto for $1100.  They are refurbed wheels and I'm very pleased on how they looked.  Here are pics of my new rims.

http://s1290.photobucket.com/user/bamkmm91/media/New%20SHO%20wheels/DSCF2156_zpsff31a96a.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I know I looked on eBay for what refurb wheels are going for, and I ran into $250-300 each, so $1100 is about spot on.  That's crazy, though.  I'd be OK with a shop doing a good refinish on the wheels, because I am pretty sure the shop wouldn't bite for $1100 if a powder coating could cost them $500.





Thanks for the advise!  Any color recommendations on the Kona Blue are still very welcome!  I'm going to look at ordering some samples from the aforementioned website that I linked.

[panther427]

Black chrome. Gold or bronze

[SHO-Pa]

This is really interesting because I had some damage on my rims and was contemplating how to touch them up. I also just got PVD chromed take-offs to replace my rims. I was thinking of plasticoat for mine to see how I liked the dark look. I was also thinking of putting snows on the old rims too.

[NAiLs]

I'm still waiting on getting mine done yet.  I'll be getting them powder coated for sure, but haven't fully decided on a color.  I know the shop was looking to do an exchange, but these rims are expensive as heck, so they've opted to stick with a powder coat.  I'm for sure going to be doing a metallic finish, but what color I'm not certain of yet.  I haven't had an opportunity to snap a picture of my car from the side and just play around with colors on my computer.  Goodyear admitted to damaging 3 or 4 rims for sure, but I see some new damage on the 4th and am going to push to get them all covered by Goodyear.... especially for the inconvenience this is causing me.

[SHOdded]

Git 'er done, NAiLs, git 'er done!  No good having it sit around!

[NAiLs]

Oh I know! I'm waiting on the shop to let me know when the sand blaster guy can do them. They were exploring other options as well, for whatever reason. Hopefully next week. I want to spend a lot of time cleaning up my baby!