Collection: Candy effect finish

Candy Powder Coating: Deep Luster from Chrome and Glaze

On a coated wheel, a Candy effect creates the illusion of color layered in multiple dimensions. It is precisely this sense of visual depth that defines Candy powder coating. It does not originate from a single color coat, but rather from two perfectly matched layers (2-coat system).

The base layer reflects light like a mirror—typically a chrome effect such as Mirror Chrome. Above it lies a glaze—a translucent tinted coating that allows the substrate to show through while imparting color. The reflected light passes through the glaze twice (once on the way down and once on the way back), giving the color tone its characteristic depth. Pre-matched sets include both the chrome base and colored glaze in a 1:1 ratio, ensuring the amount of base coat matches the glaze quantity.

Candy coatings rely on a chrome-like, mirror reflective base. For a silvry foundation with a softer sparkle, choose the Cosmic series; a single-coat opaque metallic provides coverage in a single pass when deep reflectivity is not required.

Which Candy Colors You Can Combine

For a red Candy look, combine a red glaze over the chrome base. The same principle applies to blue, gold, green, orange, turquoise, and purple. As a pre-packaged bundle, the Candy Red Set eliminates the need to select individual components, delivering a base coat and glaze that are already tuned to each other.

The intensity of a Candy tone depends heavily on the coat thickness of the glaze—measured in micrometers. A variation of just around 20 µm can visibly alter the final color tone. Coating a test panel prior to full production allows you to evaluate the true color under your lighting conditions.

You can work exclusively with complete sets or freely combine base coats and glazes. A combination like the Candy Gold Set provides chrome effect and gold glaze in balanced proportions, while applying an individual gold glaze over any chrome or silver base allows you to create custom color variations.

Step-by-Step to a Clean Candy Finish

First, apply a primer to the cleaned and degreased component as an adhesion promoter and corrosion barrier. Next comes the reflective base coat, followed by the color glaze, and—for outdoor applications—a clear coat to seal the finish. Each layer is applied and cured separately, melting and crosslinking in the oven to create a durable bond.

For indoor parts unexposed to weathering, the clear coat can be omitted if appearance and durability meet your requirements without it. However, as soon as the component goes outdoors, UV sealing is essential.

Candy sets are cured layer by layer at 180 °C (356 °F) for 15 to 20 minutes. The critical value is the object temperature—the temperature of the workpiece itself—rather than the set oven temperature. If you are powder coating yourself for the first time, our guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Please check the following before your first application:

• Is the component clean, degreased, and dry?
• Is the primer ready as a protective substrate?
• Are the base coat and glaze quantities properly matched?
• Is a sample panel prepared for color matching?
• Is a clear topcoat planned for outdoor use?

If any of these items are missing, address them before coating, as color tone and adhesion cannot be adjusted after the finish is cured.

Applying and Protecting Candy Finish on Wheels Correctly

In daily driving, a coated wheel must withstand stone chips, brake dust, and solar radiation, which makes wheels a demanding application for Candy tones from our range of effect glazes. Wheels feature deep spokes and sharp edges, and they remain continuously exposed to outdoor elements.

When applying the powder, you can choose between two application systems. In the Corona charging method, a high-voltage electrode charges the powder (around 30 to 100 kV), which is fast and efficient for flat surfaces. However, the high-voltage electrostatic field struggles to penetrate deep spoke recesses—a Faraday cage effect. With Tribo charging, the charge is generated purely through friction without high voltage, allowing powder to reach deep recesses more effectively. Experience shows that the reflective chrome base applies more evenly via Corona; avoid applying it too thick, as Corona charging can cause orange peel at film thicknesses above ~60 to 70 µm.

Suspend the wheel so the mounting point leaves no visible flaws on functional surfaces. A specialized wheel hanger hook that grips inside the valve stem hole holds the wheel securely while keeping visible faces clear. The contact points on the hook also ensure proper grounding, without which charged powder cannot deposit evenly.

For long-term outdoor exposure, seal the Candy layer with a UV-resistant clear coat. Without this protective topcoat, the effect will fade under sun exposure over time. Note that chrome effect powder coating is a decorative finish and does not replace electroplated galvanic chrome.