Billet Grill _ Powder Coat or Paint??

I just replaced my chrome grill surround with a color match one. The former grill had a billet grill (aluminum). I want to pair that up with the paint matched grill surround but I'm vacillating between having it powder coated or just wet paint/clear coat. Powder coating is tougher than wet paint but once the coating is breached (stone chips etc.) there are issues and there's not a really good way of performing a "touch up". Wet paint on the other hand, is generally softer but is easily touched up. Any thoughts on this?

BTW, cost is not a factor. I can have the powder coating done for free. I work in the powder coating dept. for a large company.......

 

Grillecraft powder coats their mesh grill inserts... ive had mine on the upper and lower grills for over 8yrs now and not a single issue.

 

Has your Taco been exposed to harsh winters? Here in rural upstate NY, the winters can be wicked and with all the sand and salt they use, the front end takes a real beating....

 

No, i dont snow.... spent a few months in missouri.... never again

But ive hit a hawk, and ive had 2 chips in my windshield along with a hood chip.
Its not totally sheltered.

 

Thanks for your advice. I'm leaning towards powder coating and if it does get chipped up I'll recoat it.....

 

My old weathergaurd toolbox took a hard hit from cement and tile firepit i had in the back of the truck when i moved. I wiped the concrete dust off and all was perfect.
My avid lightbar has taken a nudge into a cinderblock wall, and its flawless.

Both are/were powdercoated

Ymmv