Specialty Finishes: The Price Difference Between Gloss, Matte, and Candy Coats
Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2025 2:28 am
One of the biggest misconceptions about powder coating is that it only comes in industrial colors like black or grey. In reality, modern powder technology offers thousands of finishes: metallics, veins, textures, wrinkles, and deep "candy" colors that rival the best automotive paint jobs.
However, when you start moving away from standard colors, the powder coating cost changes. Why does a "Candy Apple Red" rim cost 50% more than a "Gloss Black" rim? It comes down to material cost and application difficulty.
Tier 1: Standard Colors (Lowest Cost)
• Examples: Gloss Black, Satin Black, White, Safety Yellow, Red.
• Why it's cheap: We buy these powders in 50lb boxes. They are "single stage," meaning we spray them on bare metal, bake them, and they are done. They are forgiving and easy to apply.
• Best for: Brackets, frames, furniture, industrial parts.
Tier 2: Textures and Wrinkles (Mid-Range)
• Examples: Wrinkle Black (like Ferrari engine parts), Veins (Silver/Black vein), Sandtex.
• The Cost: These powders are slightly more expensive, but they offer a hidden savings: they hide surface defects. If your metal is pitted from old rust, a smooth gloss coat will show every pit. A textured coat will hide them.
• Best for: Valve covers, old restoration parts, gym equipment.
Tier 3: Metallics and Illusions (Premium)
• Examples: Sparkle Silver, Illusion Blue, Gold Flake.
• The Cost: Metallic powders contain real metal flakes. They are more expensive to manufacture. They also require a specific gun technique to ensure the flakes lay down flat and don't look "blotchy."
• Requirement: Most metallics require a clear topcoat to prevent the metal flakes from oxidizing. This turns it into a "Tier 4" process.
Tier 4: Two-Stage and Candy Coats (Highest Cost)
• Examples: Candy Red, Transparent Gold, Dormant colors.
• The Process: This is why the price doubles.
1. Base Coat: We spray a Chrome or Silver base coat and partially cure it.
2. Top Coat: We spray a translucent (see-through) colored powder over the chrome.
3. Result: The light passes through the color, hits the chrome, and reflects back, creating incredible depth.
• The Labor: We have to spray the part twice and bake it twice. We effectively do double the work for one part. If a piece of dust lands on it during the second stage, we have to strip the whole thing and start over. The high risk and high labor justify the premium price.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Budget If you are budget-conscious, ask for "Stock Black" or "Stock White." If you want a show-winning finish, be prepared to pay for the two-stage process. The depth and pop of a Candy powder coat are impossible to replicate with standard paint, making the extra cost worth it for high-visibility parts like wheels and engine covers.
Conclusion Your color choice dictates your budget. At Rusty Lions, we have swatch rings with thousands of options. We can help you find a color that gives you the look you want without breaking the bank.
However, when you start moving away from standard colors, the powder coating cost changes. Why does a "Candy Apple Red" rim cost 50% more than a "Gloss Black" rim? It comes down to material cost and application difficulty.
Tier 1: Standard Colors (Lowest Cost)
• Examples: Gloss Black, Satin Black, White, Safety Yellow, Red.
• Why it's cheap: We buy these powders in 50lb boxes. They are "single stage," meaning we spray them on bare metal, bake them, and they are done. They are forgiving and easy to apply.
• Best for: Brackets, frames, furniture, industrial parts.
Tier 2: Textures and Wrinkles (Mid-Range)
• Examples: Wrinkle Black (like Ferrari engine parts), Veins (Silver/Black vein), Sandtex.
• The Cost: These powders are slightly more expensive, but they offer a hidden savings: they hide surface defects. If your metal is pitted from old rust, a smooth gloss coat will show every pit. A textured coat will hide them.
• Best for: Valve covers, old restoration parts, gym equipment.
Tier 3: Metallics and Illusions (Premium)
• Examples: Sparkle Silver, Illusion Blue, Gold Flake.
• The Cost: Metallic powders contain real metal flakes. They are more expensive to manufacture. They also require a specific gun technique to ensure the flakes lay down flat and don't look "blotchy."
• Requirement: Most metallics require a clear topcoat to prevent the metal flakes from oxidizing. This turns it into a "Tier 4" process.
Tier 4: Two-Stage and Candy Coats (Highest Cost)
• Examples: Candy Red, Transparent Gold, Dormant colors.
• The Process: This is why the price doubles.
1. Base Coat: We spray a Chrome or Silver base coat and partially cure it.
2. Top Coat: We spray a translucent (see-through) colored powder over the chrome.
3. Result: The light passes through the color, hits the chrome, and reflects back, creating incredible depth.
• The Labor: We have to spray the part twice and bake it twice. We effectively do double the work for one part. If a piece of dust lands on it during the second stage, we have to strip the whole thing and start over. The high risk and high labor justify the premium price.
Choosing the Right Finish for Your Budget If you are budget-conscious, ask for "Stock Black" or "Stock White." If you want a show-winning finish, be prepared to pay for the two-stage process. The depth and pop of a Candy powder coat are impossible to replicate with standard paint, making the extra cost worth it for high-visibility parts like wheels and engine covers.
Conclusion Your color choice dictates your budget. At Rusty Lions, we have swatch rings with thousands of options. We can help you find a color that gives you the look you want without breaking the bank.