center caps

[panheadstan]

what do you do for center caps to match wheels. on honda i use the mirrored ones, or try to find a spray bomb to match.

[panheadstan]

Re: center caps

really nobody does center caps do you leave that to the customer

[Guest]

Re: center caps

really nobody does center caps do you leave that to the customer

Yes, that's exactly what I do. I do powder coating, not painting. I give them a couple of suggestions on how to tackle the center caps and send them on their way. At most I have blasted a couple of them from a few feet away, washed them, and put them in plastic bags so they are ready for paint.

[panheadstan]

Re: center caps

well maybe it's just me then. I figure if I powdercoat the wheels and mount and balance them, I should finish the job by doing something to the center caps to make them match. If nobody else does the caps maybe it's time to rethink my process. Maybe finishing the job is just going too far.

[Guest]

Re: center caps

That just depends on what you defined as a finished job on the quote handed to the customer. If you promised to powder coat the wheels then your job is done. If you promised to deliver a finished set of wheels that included mounting, balance, new valve stems, the correct air pressure, and a painted center caps, then you have some more work to do.

Like I mentioned above, it has been my experience that most custom coaters won't deal with center caps or mounting the tires, some don't even deal with the sand blasting portion.

Good luck

[panheadstan]

Re: center caps

Obviously I may need to use some of your customers. Most of mine can't even take their own wheels off! I offer dismount,outgass,sanblasting,light media blasting,clean,phosphate,coating,mount,balance(val ve stems and air pressure), so I don't think doing something for the caps was a big deal. I thought more shops were doing the same,to my surprise. Thanks for your input.

[Guest]

Re: center caps

Obviously I may need to use some of your customers. Most of mine can't even take their own wheels off! I offer dismount,outgass,sanblasting,light media blasting,clean,phosphate,coating,mount,balance(val ve stems and air pressure), so I don't think doing something for the caps was a big deal. I thought more shops were doing the same,to my surprise. Thanks for your input.

I've done just that for a customer before, so I know where you're coming from. It's really not a problem when you're charging a good rate, but when your profit doesn't even cover the mounting and your time, then it's a problem to even worry about center caps.

The other two things I forgot to mention and are worth taking into consideration are guarantee and liability.

I'm sure you will do your best to stand behind your powder coating, especially when using PBTP's powder. I can't really say I would want to guarantee the finish on rattle canned center caps.

Liability becomes a huge issue when it comes to mounting and balancing the wheels. Especially when you're dealing with drag wheels wrapped in slicks or motorcycle tires. That's why I would rather let the customer deal with it.

I'm still a noob, but I've learned a few important lessons the hard way. Hopefully some of this comes in handy man.

If you end up painting the caps then post some pictures!

[Auto-Cycle PC]

Re: center caps

I dont usually offer the demount as a service. I have a tire shop around the corner that I send people to. If a customer shows up with tires still on the wheels I tell them where they can take them and the usually charge $5 a wheel to dismount or I can take them there dropoff/pickup for $10 a wheel, and several have chosen for me to do it. I use http://www.orbittx.com/ for some match paints and hook touch up paints. I normally dont offer the plastic caps as a service though.