If you want to apply finish to your car's wheels, it's common to end up trying to decide between paint and powder coating. Both can do the job, but powder coating uses a special application process.

Unlike the relatively simple process of painting, powder coating involves the sandblasting and intense cleaning of all wheel components, electrical grounding of each part, and then the use of an electrostatic paint gun to spray on powder with a positive electric charge. This causes the grounded wheel to attract powder particles. It might sound like an odd process, but it comes with plenty of benefits.

Here are just four.

1. Lasts Longer

Powder coating is used in the aviation and marine industries, as well as by the military, so it should come as no surprise to learn that it is a lot tougher than paint. Creating a very tough outer shell for your rims will mean that they are more resistant to chips, corrosion and flaking. Add in the fact that powder coating is thicker than paint and you'll quickly understand just why it tends to last a lot longer.

2. Covers More

Car rims are often quite hard to completely cover with paint since deep holes and tight edges can prevent paint from being spread across all areas. If a part of the rim goes without its coating of paint, that part will be more susceptible to corrosion and other forms of damage. Powder coating is electrostatically charged to your rims, and the wheel will be completely broken down prior to application, so you won't need to worry about even the smallest part being left uncovered.

3. Environmentally-Friendlier

Powder coating might not sound like eco-friendly than applying a coat of paint, but it is. Powder coating your wheels will not involve the use of any solvents containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and there is virtually no waste since any powder coating that isn't used can be utilised for coating other products. Powder coating also holds environmental benefits over other sealants since the process consumes less water.

4. Looks Better

Painting or powder coating your wheels is a great way to make them last longer, but the fact remains that many drivers are motivated to do so by a desire to make their ride look better. If eye-catching looks are your goal, powder coating comes out way ahead of paint. Both options let you choose from numerous colours, and you can even have the coating colour-matched to a certain product, but powder coatings tend to look better. Also, since most powder coatings are resistant to moisture and UV light, their quality never diminishes. The electrostatic process will even serve to ensure that the powder goes on perfectly evenly and smoothly.