I was advised against powder coating as it locks the spoke nipple to the wheel. I was told it can cause spoke failure as a result, by preventing a tiny bit of movement in that area.
A further disadvantage is if the coating gets damaged, water can become trapped under the coating creating a perfect condition for corrosion. I've seen this on motorcycle frames.

Before anyone considers acid dipping wheels, it may be advisable for them to read up on Hydrogen Embrittlement, which is a possible and very undesirable consequence of such treatment, leading to increased ductility of the metal resulting in catastrophic stress failures at considerably reduced levels than the materials original spec. It is possible to partly or wholly mitigate the risk with additional processes, but that adds cost and complexity and the results may not be effective, ultimately its integrity will only be demonstrated by destructive test and analysis of the metal.
If you really want to use acid on critical stressed metal items, then make sure the people doing the work understand the issue and can prove they have a processes which mitigates the risks with Hydrogen Embrittlement Prevention Controls. The manufactures of plated wire wheels should be working within just such a controlled processes which will also test a representative sample from each batch to ensure all is well.

Regards, Mark

Location: Lytham

Thanks all for your comments. Much here to think about before I make a final decision (and save up to have the job done, anyway!)

Location: Cambridge

My preference for refinishing wire wheels on all the cars I've owned over the years, has been bead or fine grit blasting followed by stove enamelled primer, followed by stove enamelled top coat. Worked fine for several
Concours winning cars, Morris 8 2-seater, MG VA DHC, TR3A and now an Austin GE Cup Replica.

A high gloss finish is not the only option though , I quite like a black satin finish too ......

I'm not a fan of powder coating unless it's perfect. Sometimes it can bee porous and lets moisture in.

Regards

Bill G

Location: Scottish Border

Powder coating is a very good process for certain things. But having powder coated motorcycle frames, there are issues. It is very hard, but also brittle. If there is flex in the underlying material, it can crack the powder coat.

Wanting to dismantle a wrecked wheel, wrecked by the errant BMW, so I could send the centre away for rebuilding with new spokes and rim, I tried undoing the spokes. To my surprise they all unscrewed easily and this wheel had been powder coated years ago.

In the past I have got very good results with a careful rub down with sandpaper and two coats of Valspar, cheap too.