My Les Schwab Sand-Blast / Powder Coat experience

[oregon fj]

I don’t think a “primer” is needed or even possible with powder. But some colors may require two coats, maybe that is what he was talking about?

I worked for Schwab for 17 years, but this was not a service they offered when I changed careers back in ‘98. But I do still know a few managers in the local stores, so I’ll chat with them about it.

 

[thecrazygreek]

All of the wheels are trucked to their central headquarters, its actually a pretty big operation. They do hundreds of wheels per week, mostly commercial. Ive done three sets there. Love the service. My local powder coater charges 100 per wheel, so it's a bargain.

 

[oregon fj]

Guess I’ll need to go see a sample of the flat black, to see how “flat” it is. I’ve been assuming the original black on my ‘64 wheels was satin, afraid that flat might look wrong.

 

[dirtywilks]

For,those that have used Les Schwab, what color grey do you guys think is the closest to the original grey color? I’m taking mine in soon, and hopefully getting a new set of BFG KO2’s for Presidents’ Day.

 

[thecrazygreek]

There's only one grey to choose from in the 25 dollar price. It's a bit light, but looks great.

 

[dirtywilks]

Bought some new tires (bought the KO2’s and they accidentiky mounted KM2’s—so they gave me that upgrade for free) from America’s tire, had my wheels powder coated at Les Schwab for 27/wheel. Not perfect but you can’t beat that price! I would do it all over again and highly recommend it. Not exactly the same color grey I wanted, but I would rather spend more money on OEM parts than really be that unhappy about the color not exactly being right. Things are coming together!

 

[oregon fj]

Had mine done in ‘flat’ black last week. Really came out as a ‘satin’ finish, which is even better.

Bear in mind that the price can vary a bit depending on wheel condition. They also have an acid dip process they can use for significant rust, and that process can give a smoother finish.

In my case, I was quoted $28 per wheel for normal service. When I picked them up, the store manager said that the crew in Prineville decided mine would be better served with the acid dip, which runs $60 per wheel. Considerably more, but still way cheaper than any other option. But after they decided that, they failed to call and get authorization for the extra cost, so the local store manager offered to hold the price to $32 per wheel.

This was a bargain, considering the end result. I’m very happy with it.

 

[kmj64]

Had mine done in ‘flat’ black last week. Really came out as a ‘satin’ finish, which is even better.

Bear in mind that the price can vary a bit depending on wheel condition. They also have an acid dip process they can use for significant rust, and that process can give a smoother finish.

In my case, I was quoted $28 per wheel for normal service. When I picked them up, the store manager said that the crew in Prineville decided mine would be better served with the acid dip, which runs $60 per wheel. Considerably more, but still way cheaper than any other option. But after they decided that, they failed to call and get authorization for the extra cost, so the local store manager offered to hold the price to $32 per wheel.

This was a bargain, considering the end result. I’m very happy with it.

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[kmj64]

Well, you guys are getting much better pricing than I did in San Antonio. I bought new steelies that were black and I paid 50.00 per wheel (and went to 3 different places to find that) None the less very pleased with the result. I had to do some modifications to get the spare on buts on now!

 

[Ride Fly]

Serendipitous post for moi!!! I was planning to visit with a few powder coating shops today, till I found this post last night!! I was resigned to pay $150-175 for the PC work, plus the $50 most shops charged to have the polyurethane coating chemically stripped from the alloy wheel. Fingers crossed that there won’t be any issues with my wheel when I visit with Les Schwab today. BTW, I love Les Schwab! They have the best customer service I’ve ever experienced. Funny thing is my wife loves them even more than I. She never stops raving about them. Thanks for the timely To-The-Top posting of this thread, whoever you are!

 

[WildernessRimFab]

Whoever revived this thread, I think the 25$ per wheel is no longer the price in 2018. I had some wheels done maybe 6-8 years ago for 25$ per wheel and they turned out great. I called my local Les Schwab here in SW Montana a few weeks ago, and they quoted $60 per wheel. That price is consistent with local power coaters, and also the local guys do it quicker than 2-3 weeks.

The moral of the story is to double check the price before you drop the wheels off.

 

[rkymtnflyfisher]

Whoever revived this thread, I think the 25$ per wheel is no longer the price in 2018. I had some wheels done maybe 6-8 years ago for 25$ per wheel and they turned out great. I called my local Les Schwab here in SW Montana a few weeks ago, and they quoted $60 per wheel. That price is consistent with local power coaters, and also the local guys do it quicker than 2-3 weeks.

The moral of the story is to double check the price before you drop the wheels off.

Was that a Les Schwab in Missoula?

 

[WildernessRimFab]

Yes, the new one on South Russel.

I don't think this service is used much anymore, the person who picked up the phone had to find the one person who knew anything about powdercoating services, and even that person was a little hazy on the details.

 

[Ride Fly]

Whoever revived this thread, I think the 25$ per wheel is no longer the price in 2018. I had some wheels done maybe 6-8 years ago for 25$ per wheel and they turned out great. I called my local Les Schwab here in SW Montana a few weeks ago, and they quoted $60 per wheel. That price is consistent with local power coaters, and also the local guys do it quicker than 2-3 weeks.

The moral of the story is to double check the price before you drop the wheels off.

One poster- oregonfj, just had this done last week for $28 a wheel. If you get the wheel acid washed, it is about $60 per wheel.

 

[dirtywilks]

I found out about it here through Mud. When I called in to Les Schwab, they were all very familiar with the process and very familiar with pricing (they even mentioned my grey was two dollars more than the satin black). I had no problems, and told me it would take a week, worst case scenerio a week and a half (they get shipped out/in on Fridays and Tuesdays here.) They all seemed to think it was the norm here in my area in California. Hope it pans out for those that are hoping to utilize it.

 

[oregon fj]

A Schwab store needs to be one that does commercial or farm work to be familiar with the service, as that is what the service was originally designed for. If they only do retail work, they may not know much about it.

I’m not sure if they will do this on aluminum wheels.

 

[WildernessRimFab]

I believe that the powdercoat turnaround time is severely dependent on your location. As it was explained to me, all of the work is done at one location in central Oregon, and all wheels are picked up and also delivered by a Les Schwab truck that does laps around the Western US. Depending on the truck schedule and the pick up/drop off days, it might be 2-3 weeks total turnaround. The actual work only takes a handful of days but the shipping on either end is time consuming.

I do need wheels powdercoated in a month or so, maybe I will call a couple different les schwabs to see if they all give me the same answers.

 

[oregon fj]

Most Schwab locations get 1 freight truck per week, some larger stores may get 2. In my case, I dropped them off late in the week, they shipped out on Saturday, I picked them up the following Saturday. Turnaround was just 1 week, since Eugene is within a 4 hour drive of Prineville. Stores that are farther away may take 2 weeks if the freight trucks need to take 2 days to make the trip.

 

[40Man]

My two local Les Schwab dealers were a mile off between their quotes. The first quoted me $600 for 5 wheels, including dismount and mount. The second quoted me $30 a wheel for the powder coat, and 70 to dismount/mount. So call around if you decide to do this.

 

[thecrazygreek]

I just had one done. Picked it up yesterday. I live in Salem Oregon. 27 bucks and change. Did the grey.

I have used them ever since I realized they did it.

Can't beat it. They normally toss in the dismount, and sometimes the disposal... that sorta varies...