Cruisin Gold offers powder coating in Melbourne, FL for the metal parts on your truck, Jeep, or car: suspension parts like control arms and brackets, skid plates, and wheels. Powder coating is a baked-on finish that resists chips, scratches, and corrosion better than ordinary paint, and it comes in a wide range of colors and gloss levels. Tell us what you want coated, and we can tell you what is possible.
What parts can you powder coat?
Powder coating works on bare steel and aluminum, so most metal parts are candidates. These are the ones we see most:
- Suspension parts. Control arms, brackets, and other suspension pieces. A color ties a lifted build together, and the finish protects bare metal from rust.
- Skid plates. Underbody protection takes a beating off-road and on sandy lots, and a tough finish helps it hold up.
- Wheels. Steel and aluminum wheels, whether you are refreshing a set you own or finishing a new one.
- Other metal automotive parts. If it is metal and comes off the vehicle, ask us whether it can be coated.
Not everything survives the oven. Rubber bushings, plastic, seals, and bearings cannot take the heat, so they have to come out before a part is coated and go back in afterward. If you are coating suspension parts, plan on the vehicle being apart for a while.
Why powder coat instead of paint?
Liquid paint is pigment mixed with solvent, sprayed on, and left to dry. Powder is a dry blend of pigment and resin that clings to the metal by static charge. Heat then melts it into one continuous layer. Three differences matter to most customers:
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- It holds up. The cured coating is hard, so it tends to resist chips, scratches, fading, and corrosion better than conventional paint. It is not indestructible, and a chip left open lets moisture reach the metal.
- It looks even. Powder does not run or drip, so the finish comes out smooth and uniform.
- It is cleaner to apply. Powder does not use liquid solvents, so it avoids the volatile organic compounds that wet paint gives off.
Which colors and finishes can you choose?
Powder comes in a wide range of colors and gloss levels, from high gloss to flat matte, and you can mix and match across parts. Some owners match the color to their vehicle’s paint. Others pick a contrast, like orange arms on a gray truck, or coat the wheels and suspension to match.
Gloss shows dust and water spots more than satin or matte, so think about how you clean the vehicle. Ask us what colors and finishes are available, and tell us about your vehicle so we can talk through what suits it.
How does powder coating work?
A finish is only as good as the prep underneath it. Here is what the process generally involves:
- The part comes off the vehicle, and anything that cannot take heat, such as rubber, plastic, and seals, is removed.
- The old paint, rust, and coatings are stripped until bare metal shows.
- The bare part is inspected for bends, cracks, and pitting. Powder coat covers a flaw but does not repair it, so repairable damage gets fixed first.
- The part is cleaned so the powder bonds.
- Powder is applied in an even layer, then the part is baked so the powder melts, flows out smooth, and hardens as it cools.
- The part goes back on the vehicle, and the wheel and tire are balanced if a wheel was coated.
What is different about powder coating wheels?
Wheels get the same treatment with a few extra steps. The tire, valve stem, and TPMS sensor come off first, because oven heat would damage them. Surfaces that must fit exactly, like the center bore and the area where the wheel meets the hub, need care so the coating does not change the fit. Afterward, the tire goes back on through tire installation and the assembly is balanced.
If a wheel is bent or curbed, fix that first. See wheel straightening and rim repair. If you are shopping for a new set instead, browse our wheels and rims.
What powder coating cannot do
Powder coating is a finish, not a repair. It will not straighten a bent part, close a crack, or restore metal lost to deep corrosion. A wobble in a wheel or a cracked bracket needs attention before any color goes on. Some damage means the part should be replaced rather than coated. A technician can tell you which case you have, and we will say so plainly if a part is not worth coating.
Why powder coat in Brevard County?
Salt air and humidity attack bare steel all year on the Space Coast. Summer thunderstorms throw road spray and grit at the underside of a vehicle, and trucks and Jeeps that see sand or beach access add abrasion. A sealed, baked-on finish keeps moisture off the metal and wears better than a thin paint job. It is also a way to renew parts you already own instead of replacing them. Pairing it with a suspension upgrade or new accessories is a common way to finish a build.
How do you care for powder-coated parts?
- Wash by hand with mild soap, water, and a soft mitt or brush.
- Skip harsh acid-based wheel cleaners and abrasive pads, which can dull or damage the finish. Read the cleaner label first.
- Rinse after driving on the beach or in sand, where grit and salt collect.
- Keep a pressure washer nozzle back from chipped edges, where a hard spray can lift the coating.
- Have small chips looked at early, before moisture works its way under the coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What parts can Cruisin Gold powder coat?
We powder coat metal automotive parts, including suspension parts like control arms and brackets, skid plates, and wheels. Steel and aluminum both work. Tell us what you have and what you want done, and we can tell you whether it can be coated and what the finish options are.
Is powder coating better than painting?
For durability, it usually is. Powder is baked into a thick, hard layer that resists chips, scratches, fading, and corrosion better than a thin coat of liquid paint. It is not chip-proof, and results depend on prep and care. Paint can still make sense for small touch-ups, so ask what suits your parts.
Do the tires have to come off to powder coat a wheel?
Yes. The wheel is baked in an oven, and that heat would ruin the tire, valve stem, and TPMS sensor. The tire is removed first, then mounted and balanced afterward. It is also a convenient time to replace worn tires or sensors, so mention it if yours are due.
What colors and finishes can I choose?
Powder comes in a wide range of colors and gloss levels, from high gloss to flat matte, and you can mix and match across parts. Ask us what is available, and tell us about your vehicle so we can talk through what suits it. Gloss shows dust and water spots more than satin or matte.
Will powder coating fix a bent or cracked part?
No. Powder coating is a finish, not a structural repair. It can cover a cosmetic flaw, but it will not straighten a bend or close a crack. Have the part inspected and repaired first, and know that a badly cracked wheel or part may need to be replaced rather than coated.
Related Services
Visit Cruisin Gold
Cruisin Gold is at 195 Coastal Lane in West Melbourne, FL 32904, and we serve drivers in Melbourne and throughout Brevard County. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and closed on Saturday and Sunday. Get directions.
Call (321) 676-0023 or contact us online to ask about powder coating. Before you come in, check our current offers and financing options, or read how the Nationwide Warranty backs qualifying work.
