[InitiaL-T]

So, I am going to bring the car to the dealership for body repairs.

Long story short, 2 idiots backed up into the front of my Camaro at a Costco gas pump while we were waiting in line and messed the whole front up (hasn't even been 2 weeks since I got it ). Their insurance agreed to pay for all the repair cost.

Now, since my car is going to be there for probably a week or two, I am thinking about having them paint my OEM wheels either matte or low gloss black, or exchange mine with a set of 4 in said colors.

Has anyone have their wheels painted or exchanged by the dealer before? Is it good quality paint? How much did you have to pay?

By the way, I am totally new in muscle/sport car, this is my first American car, been driving the good old Camry since I've learned how to drive.

[Glen e]

Exchange sounds good, if you're going to go the paint way, get them powder coated not painted.

[InitiaL-T]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Exchange sounds good, if you're going to go the paint way, get them powder coated not painted.

I also think that exchanging is a better idea.
About powder coating, my friend told me that powder coating is better than painting, that it lasts longer and is more durable, but what about the price comparing to exchanging? I was told powder coating wheels usually cost about $150 - $200 per wheel?

[ron scubadiver]

Powdercoat in gloss black. That can be touched up if it gets scratched again. The low gloss is too hard to match.

[camaromike77]

I also recommend going exchange if that is possible with your Dealer. As others have suggested, I would go powder coated as well........

[ParisTNDude]

Won't the dealer charge you the new per wheel price of probably $400 plus per wheel? I'm sure there are or will be some available on the forum for sale page. I would do that before simply buying them straight out from a dealer.

[init4fun]

Find a place that does powder coating. Not sure what they charge in your area but here in Chicago most places are right around $125 per wheel and the quality is much better and tougher than paint.

After getting cut off and curbing the right side wheels on my DD Camry I found a place that made them better than new and powder coated all 4 wheels or less than I could buy 1 replacement wheel from Toyota.

[InitiaL-T]

It turned out that the dealer actually does powder coating, but through another company, as my car is there being fixed, they'll come in, grab the wheels and powder coat them at their shop then bring it back.

The guy gave me a quote of $595, and that includes disassembling/assembling, re-balancing and labor work, is that a good price?

By they way, I saw a lot of wheels left their lug nuts un-touched and powder coated the rest, do I also have to leave mine un-touched or can I also have them powder coated?

[Glen e]

Good shops will not powder coat the seat where the lug contacts the metal. They should tape that up. 600 is a little high, but reasonable for new mount and balance etc.

You do not want to powder coat the lug, because the torquing pressure of putting them on and off can chip the lug. Choose chrome or black.....

[InitiaL-T]

Originally Posted by Glen e

Good shops will not powder coat the seat where the lug contacts the metal. They should tape that up. 600 is a little high, but reasonable for new mount and balance etc.

You do not want to powder coat the lug, because the torquing pressure of putting them on and off can chip the lug. Choose chrome or black.....

So basically I should just leave the lug nuts alone.

Thanks for the advice!! I'm a total newbie on these things.