BEWARE: "The Powder Coat Shop"

[Chapunki]

Shop website: Home Page

Facebook Page: The Powder Coat Shop - Local Business - Gilbert, AZ | Facebook

So after talking to a buddy of mine on another forum about his experience with getting his wheels powder coated at this shop (they used to be called "San Tan Powder Coat," but recently changed the name to "The Powder Coat Shop" and are now located in Gilbert, AZ) I decided to go with this shop and went ahead and dropped off a set of wheels to get refinished on March 26th. Steven is the guy I dealt with and he told me it would be a couple of days before he could get samples of the color I requested.

I came back to the shop on April 3rd after he text me that the color samples were in and for me to come down and pick one out. I had to put down a $100 deposit on my credit card; the guy said it was because "I had to custom order the powder." He said they would be ready for pickup on the weekend.

The weekend passed without a call or text. I sent the guy a text on April 9th and he said powder was still not in, but wheels would be done "very soon."

Heard nothing until I text him back on April 14th asking what was going on? He responded that he had to send the wheels out since he could not strip them himself (the paint on my wheels was unlike anything he had seen, or so he said...?). He stated they would be done "FOR SURE, next week."

Heard nothing until I text him on April 20th asking again what was going on? He stated wheels would be done from sandblasting "tomorrow."

I text him on April 23rd asking if they were ready? He said the sandblaster was having a lot of trouble with wheels, but would be done "this week, for sure."

Again, heard nothing until I text him on April 30th asking if I can come pick up the wheels? Didn't hear anything back... Text him today (May 1st), twice, and heard nothing back... Text him from my girlfriend's phone asking about coating a bicycle frame, heard back from him instantly saying "YES."

UPDATE: I finally got a text on May 2 stating the sandblaster was giving up on the wheels because the aluminum was going to warp. He also said he was there was nothing else he could do with the wheels.

I asked him to let me know when they were ready to pickup and have not heard back...

I am seriously pissed, what should I do? I want to file a CC dispute ASAP and get my wheels back. What do you guys think?

[low_passat]

Go down there and try and pick up the wheels, and ask him to refund your deposit. If he refuses just leave with your wheels, and then contact CC company about a charge back. If you request it before you have the wheels in your possession, and the CC company notifies him before you pick up the wheels you'll likely never see them again.

[gnatman]

cc dispute and drive there and get the wheels, thank you come again..

[Stilladub]

That sucks man sorry to hear. I would go in and see what the guy says in person (but have a witness too). Agree on a deadline to have them done by, otherwise he should refund your money and you can take your wheels and business elsewhere.

[Chapunki]

I don't even know if he has the wheels, they might still be with the supposed sandblaster, that is why I am hesitant to even go down to the shop. Also from what I have seen the guy is out of the shop at different hours everyday. I am just so frustrated, I have never had anything like this happen.

What are my options if he lost the wheels or "can't find them"?

[phxpilotmkv]

he probably sold them lol.

I'm sure if they "disappear" you can ask him to pay for it, or small claims court if he is a cu** about it. He should have insurance to cover this kinda stuff anyways.

[low_passat]

I assume these are your RS6 wheels. Just an FYI...If they are the factory finish from Ronal, he's probably not BSing about having a hard time stripping them, and the sandblaster probably can't get off either. Aircraft stripper took off the clear & paint on my flat fives, but left the primer untouched. I tried sandblasting and it wouldn't budge. I had to have Santi sodablast them.

[sec914]

Yeah ronal powder coat is no joke. if he sand blasted them they're Probally junk now. Once the powder is lifted itl eat the cast alluminum quick with sand. Bet he is looking for another set to replace urs with. Oh no more ronals for me btw

[Boostedwolf]

Dealt with tough wheels for 5 years at my powder coating shop i am aware of the ronals but i never had a issue getting them chemically stripped by lil alex. it sounds like a shop with little experience on stripping wheels specially aluminum ones, one thing you don't do is sand blast unless its soda or glass bead. I would show up and demand them back and pay the price to have them done the right way if there still good, good luck

[need a vdub]

Yup Alex need to strip them (and only him) Then outgassed (to bring the chemical out of the pours of the metal) then Sandblasted with 100 grit aluminum oxide media (to get the rsidue off of the wheels) then coated. You skip around this process and you will have a shotty wheel. You can sandblast off the factory coating it is a pita though and wheels will be pitted like no other. Good Luck Karma is a He will get his.

[cwescapexlt4x4]

This sucks for sure and i would be pissed for sure.

What I am shocked that issues like this folks just text vs. calling/showing up ... different generation I guess.

[Chapunki]

Thank you everybody for the suggestions and advice.

Yes, these are indeed the RS6 wheels made by Ronal, they were already re-finished in a silver metallic color when I bought them.

I tried calling the guy a bunch of times but it always just rings until it goes to voicemail, the only way I could ever talk to him was either through text or in-person; this bothered me, but not to the point I wouldn't have had the wheels powder coated by him, lesson learned I guess.

UPDATE: I finally got a text on May 2 stating the sandblaster was giving up on the wheels because the aluminum was going to warp. He also said there was nothing else he could do with the wheels.

I asked him to let me know when they were ready to pickup and have not heard back...

[cwescapexlt4x4]

If you haven't gotten your CC company on the case, do it! - Most businesses don't want them on their A$$.

This sucks and have every right to be concerned and pissed...

[Chapunki]

FINAL UPDATE: Got a text on May 5th from the guy, saying that the wheels were back from the sandblaster and they were ready for pickup. I headed down to the shop and I'm happy to report they were half-blasted but not damaged or anything like that.

Other than the lack of communication and the amount of time the job was supposed to take; it seems like the shop was honest with everything they told me about the wheels being impossible to prepare properly for powder coat. In person, the guy said was sorry that he couldn't finish the job and he was frustrated it took this long, but it was better to not finish the job than to give me wheels that would bubble and peel in a couple months. I was surprised when he told me he would be more than happy to powder coat another set of wheels for me for FREE (my deposit was returned as well). I feel much better about this shop and will most likely give them another chance. Steven seems to be a stand-up guy with good business ethics. I will be editing the title of the thread and my posts to reflect my overall experience with "The Powder Coat Shop" as a whole.

Again, thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions, much appreciated!

- Matt

[Chapunki]

If anyone is interested in them they are on craigslist for $250.