Technical Restoring Wire Wheels, Paint or Power coat ?

I have a set of old Wheel Vintique wire wheels on the Divco that need to be restored...
They have pitting on the shell, that needs to be surfaced out.

What solutions have you used to recondition pitted shells, that will hold up to possible higher wheel temp ?

They will be sand blasted in order to remove the existing old power.

 

Paint, when powder chips it comes off in sheets. Plus it makes stuff look like it's made of plastic.

 

If you do decide to powder coat the process to follow IMHO is sand blast clean, then a powder coat primer
(helps hide the imperfections and works as a primer for the color), followed by powder coat color and then a coat of clear powder coating (helps prevent chipping thru the color).
I find that if you speak to the powder coat guy and explain what you are seeking you can generally negotiate a reasonable price compared to doing each coat as a separate job.
Your part will be to possibly run a file over any imperfections and straighten any bent spokes etc.
Each to their own of course.