I've had my 16" winter steels powdercoated a nice gloss black, but want to protect them before fitting them.

With my standard alloys I polish them with Carlack 68 and protect them with Collnite 476s. But the powdercoat on these steels feels soft to me, and seems to be easily scratched, so I was after any wise words as to how to protect them really.

I'm just worried that if I polish them, they will get scratched by the application and buffing process. Maybe I need to worry less and just do it!

Any tips would be great, cheers

Some protective covering - lacquer or maybe that anti-chip wrapping film ( VentureShield ) ?

Two coats of Jetseal 109 and then at least one coat of Collinite 476S. That's what I'm going to do with mine :yes:

Works well for me and also makes them a doddle to clean too

Bilt Hamber Finis Wax for me...and on the car!!

FANTASTIC results!!!

Great, cheers guys. I want to get plenty of wax on them so I don't have to worry about them over the salty winter!

I'm actually looking forward to washing the car with them on! It's gonna save me like 30mins on my normal car washing time! The spiders are a nightmare to clean, but these steels only have one face to wash really.

I've had my 16" winter steels powdercoated a nice gloss black, but want to protect them before fitting them.

Powdercoating them is protecting them. Waxing or sealing them will just make them easier to clean.

Most of the powdercoating companies specifically state fairy liquid to clean them with, which should give you some indication of where they're coming from.

Powdercoating them is protecting them. Waxing or sealing them will just make them easier to clean.

Yes. I know that.

I am familiar with the concept of wax. I just wanted to know if there were any special products for a powdercoated finish, since it is not as hard as paint and does not have a clearcoat layer.

Apparently not, so I will treat them as normal.

since it is not as hard as paint and does not have a clearcoat layer.

Apparently not, so I will treat them as normal.

Did you get them done by someone who specializes in wheels?

Mine are lacquered over the powder coating, giving a nice durable finish.

Did you get them done by someone who specializes in wheels?

Mine are lacquered over the powder coating, giving a nice durable finish.

They do wheels, but they're not a wheel specialist ( http://www.flowplant.com/html/services.html ). They just sort of do anything really! It's a water jetting and drain cleaning equipment manufacturer, and they make a bit of extra cash by powdercoating peoples bits and bobs on the side. I only paid £20 a wheel, and they do look very good.

But yeah not lacquered I don't think. I'll just get them done a different colour every year! Kind of wish I got them done white now..... next year!

I didn't specify the coating, I just let them get on with it at the time and forgot about it. Didn't realise I could ask for a wrinkle finish!

post some pics

Yes. I know that.

I am familiar with the concept of wax. I just wanted to know if there were any special products for a powdercoated finish, since it is not as hard as paint and does not have a clearcoat layer.

Apparently not, so I will treat them as normal.

Generally, when you get wheels powdercoated, they are done in one of two ways. The first is where they use a powdercoat of the colour you want (metallic grey/silver, gold, black, white etc.) and then they are lacquered. The second is where they apply a powdercoat base (effectively a primer) and then they wet-paint the resulting surface with a colour coat and then a laquer coat on top of that. If yours are just powder-coated then they'll be very durable, but I would expect the surface finish to dull quite rapidly. Still, at £20 per wheel they could just do them again.