Powder coating definitely holds up against salt and other corrosion pretty good. Painting is cheap and (relatively) easy, but it can definitely be uneven and look like crap up close because of that. Good powdercoaters churn out wheels that can be done in tons of colors and textures (including mixed colors or pinstripes and the like) and will be evenly applied.

I've used L.A. Wheel and Tire in Cali in the past and my wheels are looking great after two years. There's a ton of places that do powder coating now in Cali and in Florida, it seems.

 

you can buy a powder coating system for 99-150 bucks... get a old stove.. and do it yourself... a rim should fit in a oven ? i think... lol Then you can go nuts and powder coat everything you can think of...

 

Haha! I've seen a company powder coat pens and chrome a stapler just for laughs.

Just make sure you read about the correct temperatures and baking times if you ever do this. It's not an easy process by any means, so don't expect to be a pro any time soon. And if you royally screw up, your wheels could be weakened and cracked and kill you. So it's probably not the best idea ;-)

Sorry to be a Negative Nelly, but there are professional powder coaters for a reason.