How to paint car rims?

Painting your car’s rims is a great way to personalize the vehicle, protect the rims and refresh damaged surfaces. It’s a fairly straightforward DIY project that even beginners can handle.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to painting car rims:

Getting started

Before you begin, gather the tools and materials and prepare your workspace.

• Tools and materials: You’ll need e.g. sandpaper (various grits, from coarse to fine), masking tape, protective film or paper, and silicone remover. Primer, your desired colour (basecoat) and clear coat. Filler if the rims have dents.
• Work area and safety: Choose a well-ventilated, dust-free area such as a garage with good lighting. Set aside enough time for the project. Always use protective gear like gloves and a respirator.

Painting process step by step

1. Remove the rims (optional but recommended): For easier work and better accuracy, it’s best to remove the rims from the car. You can paint them on the car too, but it requires more careful masking of the tyres.
2. Clean the rims thoroughly: This is one of the most critical steps. Any dirt, oil, brake dust or grease reduces adhesion. Wash the rims thoroughly with a wheel cleaner. You can start with a pressure washer to remove heavy brake dust. Rinse off all detergents and let the rims dry completely. Once clean, any damage will be easy to spot.
3. Repair damage: If your rims have scratches, chips or dents, repair them before painting. Lightly roughen the area around the filler with P320 sandpaper. Apply filler and let it dry per instructions. Very small scratches can be sanded out or covered with primer. Sand the cured filler flat using P120–P320.
4. Sand the rims: Proper sanding creates a smooth base for adhesion — crucial for durability. Sand the entire surface carefully.
   • Start with a coarser grit, P320, to remove sharp edges, scratches and old paint.
   • Finish with finer P400–P600 or a red scuff pad to level the surface for primer.
   • Sand evenly over the entire rim, including hard-to-reach areas. Remove all dust after sanding.
5. Prep for painting (final cleaning and masking): Mask the tyres carefully so they don’t catch overspray. Clean painted areas with silicone remover and, finally, wipe the rims with a tack cloth. For better adhesion, you can pre-treat with an adhesion promoter.
6. Apply primer: Priming is essential for good adhesion and durability. It helps the paint stick and can hide minor imperfections.
   • We recommend a wet-on-wet primer so you can skip intermediate sanding between primer and basecoat. Epoxy is a great choice for rims — it adheres well to metal.
   • Spray evenly per product instructions, typically two coats, and let dry.
   • Note that with wet-on-wet you often need to apply the basecoat within a set window, typically about 1 hour after the last primer coat. If you miss the window, you must sand before basecoat.
   • Once the primer has cured, lightly sand by hand with P320–P600 to achieve a smooth surface.
7. Paint the rims: Now apply your chosen colour. Use a high-quality automotive basecoat.
   • Stir the paint thoroughly in the can so all pigments are evenly mixed.
   • Spray two coats. The first can be a light mist coat; the second a full wet coat. Start with tricky areas and finish with the face of the rim.
   • The first coat may look patchy — that’s normal; coverage improves with the next coat.
   • After the final coat, let the base dry at least 1 hour before clear. Don’t let it sit more than 24 hours before clear.
8. Apply clear coat: Clear protects the paint and boosts durability — and adds gloss.
   • Use a 2K clear coat for maximum protection.
   • Apply like the base: first a light ”tack” coat, then a wet coat.
   • The first coat may look dry or imperfect, but the second will level the surface and add gloss.
      

Final steps

1. Let the rims cure fully: After clear coat, allow at least 24 hours before installing them back on the car.
2. Re-install the rims: When fully dry, mount the rims back in the reverse order of removal. Make sure the nuts are tightened properly.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Insufficient surface prep: Poor cleaning, sanding and prep prevent proper adhesion and lead to flaking, chips and rust. Prep is critical for durability.
• Wrong cleaning solvents: Some solvents can chemically damage the finish over time. Use appropriate wheel/paint cleaners.
• Leaving surface damage unrepaired: Small chips or dings let moisture and salt reach bare metal, causing corrosion. Fix damage in time.
• Rushing the process: Too little drying time between coats or hurrying steps causes runs, unevenness, blistering and a weak result. Patience pays off.
• Applying coats too thickly: Several thin coats beat one thick coat — fewer runs and a more even finish.
• Using unsuitable paint: Generic spray paint isn’t designed for rims; use automotive paint built to withstand harsh road conditions.

By following these steps and tips you can achieve a professional-looking finish on your car’s rims.