Is it possible to paint wheels with regular paint?
How to paint iron wheels
My winter tires are on iron wheels, which are quite rusty.
I decided to dismantle the wheels and paint them inside and out. I found out that a liter of paint should be enough for 4 discs.
The paint must be heat-resistant because... The friction of the pads can cause the discs to become very hot. Heat-resistant paint is not a cheap pleasure, I would like a budget option.
Moreover, in winter there should be no overheating of the disks. I will paint it with a spray gun.
Does anyone have any opinions on whether it is possible to paint with non-heat-resistant paint? Also, is it possible to paint it with absolutely any metal paint and not bother yourself?
I would probably buy some plain paint and paint it. If it comes off after a couple of seasons, you can always update it. Right?
Expensive, but correct auto enamel.
Less expensive, but not bad - enamel for metal (Hammerite, Alpina, Tikkurila, Snezka).
It's useless - our enamels will peel off before winter.
But! In any case, be sure to sandblast before painting.
In ancient times, I painted wheels on a Lada. Regular spray paint. Bought at the car market. Nothing has peeled or peeled in 2 years.
masteroflaw 07/02/2014 20:58 writes:
Expensive, but correct auto enamel.
Less expensive, but not bad - enamel for metal (Hammerite, Alpina, Tikkurila, Snezka).
It's useless - our enamels will peel off before winter.
But! In any case, be sure to sandblast before painting.
The most correct thing is powder paint in several layers with baking. And sandblasting, of course.
I painted the wheels that year.
Here is In response to:
To paint wheels with a diameter of 15 inches you need:
1. Two cans of paint
2. A little regular paint
3. Brush
4. Solvent
5. Rust converter
6. Wire brush
One can of paint is not enough. Two is just right. I used cans to paint the front side of the rims and the front side. I painted the inside of the rim and the inner side with regular paint, but it’s still not visible. The outer part of the rim (which is under the tire) was not touched.
What I want to add is that if we are talking about black paint, then you should only take matte!
maksim2020 07/02/2014 21:09 writes:
masteroflaw 07/02/2014 20:58 writes:
Expensive, but correct auto enamel.
Less expensive, but not bad - enamel for metal (Hammerite, Alpina, Tikkurila, Snezka).
It's useless - our enamels will peel off before winter.
But! In any case, be sure to sandblast before painting.
The most correct thing is powder paint in several layers with baking. And sandblasting, of course.
Powder paint (aka polymer) is by far the most durable and reliable (albeit the most expensive). But IMHO this is not an option for steel wheels on our roads. The polymer coating is subject to mechanical destruction due to the rolling of the disk by rollers.
About 5 years ago, an acquaintance cleaned the wheels with a grinder and a brush, treated them with a converter, primed them with automotive primer, painted them with regular black matte enamel for metal, then coated them with regular automotive varnish (he had some left over from painting the car). They still look great, except for the places where the caps are attached.
I took Snezka matte paint.
I also noticed the Zebra soil http://stroybaza.kharkov.ua/kraski/grunt. emno-seryj.html The description says that it protects, etc.
I'm a layman in this, tell me if it makes sense to treat it with this primer before painting with Snezhka, or the zebra is not of such high quality and can only do harm.
And another question: what is the best way to dilute paint and/or primers, white spirit or something else?
Modified by qwefak (18:05 03/07/2014)
qwefak 07/03/2014 16:32 writes:
I took Snezka matte paint.
I also noticed the Zebra soil http://stroybaza.kharkov.ua/kraski/grunt. emno-seryj.html The description says that it protects, etc.
I'm a layman in this, tell me if it makes sense to treat it with this primer before painting with Snezhka, or the zebra is not of such high quality and can only do harm.
And another question: what is the best way to dilute paint and/or primers, white spirit or something else?
Don't paint it with zebra.
Snezhka is best diluted with 650 solvent.
I painted the hardware with regular hammer paint (what I had at home at that time), everything has held up perfectly for about 5 years) I wouldn’t bother with the choice
Before painting, I treated the wheels with Zebra corrosion removing fluid, treating them in three approaches. (The discs were very rusty, the first time I treated it there was the same reaction, like from acid, everything foamed and hissed. The second time I treated it, there was a reaction only in a few places. The third time, there was no reaction, maybe one treatment was enough, but I decided process according to the principle “you can’t spoil porridge with oil”).
I painted it with Snezhka, painted it in three layers, using two thirds of the can
I have a little base left. I blew on the front side and also blew on the varnish. It turned out well.
We'll see how they wear.
I wanted to note for those people who will paint their wheels NOT with car paint. The paint takes a very long time to dry, half a day has passed, and the paint is still damp. This must be taken into account and a place must be allocated for drying discs.
How to paint car rims with your own hands
The question of how to paint your car's rims yourself is often asked by both newbies in automotive matters and experienced car owners.
Time passes and even on a new car the rims become covered with corrosion and scratches, which do not evoke the same admiration for their well-groomed appearance.
The wheels need to be re-prepared and painted. We’ll look at how to do this in this article.
How to paint car rims yourself
Car wheels are manufactured in two versions:
- stamped steel;
- from light alloys, which, in turn, are divided into cast and forged.
The first option is most susceptible to scratches, chips, and slipping of the paint layer. All manufacturers initially install stamped steel wheels on cars.
They are cheap and, complete with hubcaps, create the appearance of beautiful wheels. Time passes, the caps are either lost or broken, and the discs lose their original appearance.
Alloy wheels are usually produced in a beautiful silver or silver-black finish.
They do not scratch, last a long time, and therefore rarely require additional painting during operation. Therefore, only stamped steel wheels need to be painted.
The most common ways of painting wheels among Russian car enthusiasts are:
Three types of processing are best suited: acrylic, aerosol, liquid rubber. Acrylic is available in a wide variety of colors, it is convenient to apply to the surface, and you can paint even a very small area.
However, for all its advantages, acrylic paint is less resistant to scratches, abrasions, and other damage to the applied layer.
Careless driving, especially by inexperienced drivers, through bushes, potholes, and hummocks peels off a layer of paint. The metal of the discs again becomes covered with corrosion, dust, and dirt.
Powder paint, unlike acrylic paint, can last on wheel rims for a long period without losing its original shine.
It is stable, wear-resistant, the coating on the stamped and cast surface is not scratched or deformed. The substance is intended for production purposes, that is, it is used to coat newly cast and stamped discs.
However, there are certain difficulties with applying it yourself. Powder paint is applied using complex technology that requires special equipment.
With this paint it is impossible to paint a scratched or deformed fragment of a disk - only the entire surface.
When deciding how to paint your car's wheels yourself, it is better to give preference to powder paint. It will last on the car much longer without causing problems during operation.
But if the car owner wants variety, shine, brightness and is ready for daily careful care of the wheels, you can use acrylic paint. In this case, the car will become the original vehicle in the area.
Liquid rubber has proven itself very well when updating wheel rims. In recent years, Russian motorists are increasingly using it for painting.
The matte, glossy black coating penetrates well into the metal, protecting the surface from stone chips, corrosion processes, abrasions, and scratches.
How to paint car rims with your own hands
Due to the high cost of carrying out paintwork at service stations, Russian motorists prefer to carry out such work in their own garages or in the courtyards of private estates.
Any painting method is preceded by thorough washing and preparation of objects for processing. The simplest, least expensive method is painting from an aerosol can.
Painting wheels with canned aerosol
Advantages of this method:
- the paint is applied to any unprepared, unsanded, unprimed surface;
- the aerosol layer reliably protects against all road impacts, dust, and dirt;
- the development of corrosion foci is prevented;
- the substance from the can can be sprayed onto fragments of any configuration.
Consumables
To carry out the work you will need:
- rags or microfiber cloths, car shampoo;
- masking tape;
- sandpaper of various grain sizes – No. 120 – No. 800;
- varnish, degreaser, solvent;
- 1 – 2 cans of primer;
- special aerosol paint, which, unlike regular automotive paint, better protects metal in conditions of high temperatures and impact damage.
When purchasing aerosol paint, varnish, or primer, you must carefully select materials that belong to the same brand or are compatible with each other. The paint should be as wear-resistant as possible.
Acrylic mixtures and polyurethane-based compositions have proven themselves to be excellent. The best quality paint mixtures have a powder base and contain polyester pigments.
To ensure durability, when applying them it is necessary to use sophisticated professional equipment, which is not available in a garage or private yard.
Preparation
- The wheels of the car are removed from their original places.
This is necessary to reduce the area covered with masking tape, and also avoids paints from getting on the car body parts. - The discs are washed from dirt with water, shampoo, rags, and rags.
You can use toothbrushes and smaller objects to clean elements with complex configurations. - Sand areas with old paint and uneven areas using coarse sandpaper.
- Clean the surface to be painted with fine-grained sandpaper.
- Use a jet of compressed air and a cloth to remove dust.
- Apply a layer of degreaser to the surface to be treated, which will prevent the applied paint from peeling off.
- Cover the rubber surface of the tire with adhesive tape.
The primer is applied to the prepared surface of the steel disc. The temperature in the work area must not be lower than +10ºС.
Before starting to spray the soil, the can must be shaken. It must be applied from approximately 25 centimeters away.
When applying primer, in order to distribute it evenly, it is necessary to cover the metal with a thin layer. After completing the operation, carefully inspect the surface of the coating. Clean off roughness and unevenness with fine sandpaper.
To ensure the safety of people, it is necessary to use protective equipment when painting:
- Rubber shoes;
- Impregnated overalls;
- Tight glasses;
- Respiratory mask.
When painting products with highly toxic acrylic substances, personal protective equipment should be used.
Self-painting of car wheels with aerosols is carried out in several layers, which are applied after 15 minutes. When the final layer is applied, the composition must dry completely. Aerosol paint dries in a maximum of 4 hours.
Finally, the surface is varnished, after which the protective coating is removed. A mirror-like shine on products is achieved by processing with special polishes using professional equipment.
Acrylic painting
This procedure is most popular among Russian motorists. When working with the material, specific knowledge is not needed. Equipment can be found in every garage cooperative or borrowed from neighbors.
- compressor, spray gun;
- primer mixtures, paint;
- sanding paper No. 200 and No. 400;
- electric drill with “Ruff” device;
- a construction hair dryer; if you don’t have one, you can use a home hair dryer;
- solvent;
- protective equipment for hands and respiratory tract.
Preparation
The technology of applying acrylic involves partial restoration of the surface. After carrying out the work: washing, cleaning from dirt, old paint, the metal is first cleaned with coarse sandpaper, then all significant irregularities, nicks, scratches, chips are sanded with fine sandpaper. Metal surface defects that cannot be cleaned are filled with putty.
The final preparation is cleaning from abrasive particles and washing under high pressure. When painting wheels without removing them from the car, it is necessary to protect the rubber fragments of the wheels with masking tape and newspapers, leaving only the metal surface exposed.
Padding
Important! Before applying the primer, it is necessary to dry the metal very thoroughly using a hair dryer. A serious defect can appear from one drop of water, reducing the service life of the wheels and ruining their appearance.
The disk suspended on a wire is degreased. Uniform deposition of layers is achieved by heating from a hair dryer.
Using a spray gun, liquid soil is applied from a distance of 25 cm. It is important to maintain the correct consistency of the composition. Liquid soil causes defects.
It is strictly forbidden to form a large layer at once. Professionals do this in three passes.
The next layer is applied only after the previous one has completely dried. This happens after 30 minutes. To speed up the drying of the primer, use a hairdryer.
Painting
Having decided how to paint the rims on a car with your own hands, after the primer has completely dried, proceed directly to painting.
Acrylic paint is applied in several layers. You should take your time, act slowly, allowing each layer to dry. Paint that is too thin may leave streaks. To avoid this, it is necessary to apply a test layer to the prepared sheet of metal.
The maximum quality of painting is achieved with at least three layers. Hard-to-reach areas are difficult to treat using conventional methods.
Such fragments require a creative approach and non-standard solutions. Painted discs must dry well.
Liquid rubber - we paint the wheels ourselves
This new material has many advantages:
- an abundance of creative colors and shades, except chrome;
- high wear resistance, equivalent to powder painting;
- complete blocking of all scratches, chips, abrasions;
- ease of application, availability of materials, tools, equipment.
There is only one drawback - the high cost, but this is more than compensated by the good quality, reliability, and durability of the coating.
- shoes, gloves, respirator;
- acetone;
- raw rubber in a can, it is better and more reliable than paint.
When applying the material without removing the wheels from the car, prepare newspapers and masking tape.
Preparation
Before applying liquid rubber, you can prepare the surface less thoroughly than for acrylic painting. You can leave a layer of previous painting, scratches, chips.
The main thing is to thoroughly wash and degrease the metal before applying rubber. When the wheels are dry, the initial layer of the substance is applied.
When processing discs directly on the car, it is necessary to protect all rubber elements and brake pads.
In order to ensure a better fit of liquid layers of rubber and penetration into hard-to-reach places, it is recommended to remove all wheels from the car.
Painting
Liquid rubber is sprayed evenly over the entire metal surface. The first base layer is made transparent, the old paint underneath is visible. The second layer is applied more intensely while maintaining transparency.
Layer follows layer, quantity depending on color. Usually craftsmen apply 3 – 7 layers. Liquid rubber dries faster than paint, so the next layer is sprayed every 10 minutes.
The distance from the tool to the material affects whether the discs become matte or glossy after processing. The close location of the can to the surface provides a greater degree of gloss of the coating.
The distance can be checked by testing. Once you have set this size, you should not change it until the work is completed.
Painting wheels with glowing paint
Reading time: 9 minutes
With the help of the novelty and shine of car wheels, you can give your vehicle a glossy and presentable appearance. It is absolutely not necessary to buy new rims for this, since it will only be enough to repair the old parts. Experts have created a special product for painting car wheels, which is represented by varnishes, enamels and paints of various shades. With the help of such paints and varnishes, you can tidy up one of the important parts of the car without putting much effort into it.
Paint for car wheels: which one is better to choose?
Many novice car enthusiasts often wonder what to paint their rims with. Today, stores of goods and spare parts for cars are replete with various types of paints, which are divided into three main types:
Painted car wheels
- paint for wheel rims in powder form;
- rubber;
- acrylic.
Before giving preference to one or another type of this product, you should familiarize yourself with the features of each of them. As for powder paint, it is recommended to paint alloy wheels with it, since it helps create a durable and hard coating on the surface of the part. Such enamel is not susceptible to mechanical damage, and it can be applied to any type of metal.
It is worth noting that processing car wheels using powder material is an expensive procedure, the cost of which on average is 5,000 rubles. This fact can be explained by the fact that before applying the enamel, the master treats the surface using a sandblaster, after which he degreases it and coats it with a primer. The final step is to apply paint, which is pre-melted at a temperature of at least 200 degrees so that the material adheres well to the metal coating of the car disk.
To sell acrylic-based paint, spray cans are used in most cases, and it is divided into two types: matte and glossy. The cost of one can, which contains about 0.5 liters of enamel, ranges around 300 rubles, but to paint 4 discs you may need 2-3 of these bottles. The advantages of the product include the fact that it is not exposed to snow, rain and sunlight, but for maximum adhesion, the surface of the parts must be well prepared for applying acrylic paint.
Acrylic paint for rims
Rubber enamel appeared on the market not so long ago, and it is also sold in cans, which greatly facilitates the work of the master, since there is no need to use additional painting equipment. One of the main advantages of enamel is that almost no effort is required to remove it. Such paint and varnish products can be glossy, matte, fluorescent or metallic.
Due to its rapid hardening and formation of an even hard layer, this is the product preferred by most motorists.
Glowing paint for rims
Glowing paint for covering car wheels is used if there is a desire for the wheels to glow while driving at night. Due to the fact that the product contains a phosphor that accumulates daylight and emits it at night, the wheels of the vehicle glow.
In most cases, luminous paint for car wheels has a blue or yellow-green hue, but when painting wheels with this product, you need to be prepared for the fact that the color of the parts will be slightly different from the color of the body. To add brightness and change shade, it is recommended to mix luminous paint with fluorescent pigments, which have a wide color palette.
Car wheels painted with glowing paint
The phosphor tuning method is not compatible with every brand of vehicle. Often, luminous paint is applied to the rims of sports cars that are distinguished by their aggressive nature. It is also recommended to use phosphor-based enamel for the following cars:
- micromobiles, sports cars and women's (small) cars;
- coupes and cars that have a bright design.
It is strictly not recommended to apply phosphor paint to the rims of old foreign cars or vintage cars that were produced during the Soviet Union. The effect of light accumulation tends to decrease after a certain period of time, and if a cheap product was applied to the discs, the result will last no more than 2 months.
What paint is better to paint rims?
Based on feedback from car enthusiasts, experts have concluded that today there are several popular manufacturers of paints and varnishes on the market that are popular. Such brands are represented by the brands Motip, Kudo, Body and Chameleon, but before you give preference to one or another enamel, you should familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of each of them.
KUDO car paint has a unique composition, which includes components that help eliminate small chips, scratches and other damage to car wheels or car components.
The advantages of Kudo enamel are represented by impeccable gloss and long lasting results. Disadvantages include low resistance to dust settling and high consumption of material when painting. Car owners say that the paint dries quickly, and the color after painting is rich and bright.
Enamel for KUDO wheels
Another high-quality product is Motip brand wheel paint, which can be applied not only to wheels, but also to the body of trucks. The advantages of such enamel include the following:
- excellent adhesion to the coating of parts, durability of the result and resistance to weather conditions;
- a varied palette of shades and colors;
- After painting, the remaining paintwork in the can can be saved to be used later for subsequent paintings.
Motip paint should be applied in several layers, since it is unable to completely cover the surface the first time. As for the unpleasant odor of the solvent, it quickly disappears after the painting procedure.
As a result of the tests, it was found that the “Body” paint for wheels does not peel off even when the temperature reaches 600 degrees. The advantages of the material are represented by a rich gloss color, impeccable adhesion to the coating and resistance to changes in temperature. A minor drawback is that the paintwork material must be applied in several layers.
The composition of the Chameleon paint coating is distinguished by the content of artificial pigments, which refract and reflect the sun's rays falling on the surface of the car wheels. This, in turn, contributes to the formation of waves of different lengths, which are perceived by the human eye as iridescent shades of colors. The first layer of luminous paint on the wheels consists of aluminum and chrome, followed by two transparent layers, which are located on the sides of the central one. Two translucent layers are applied to the outer part of the coating.
It is translucent and transparent coatings that help create a mirror effect on vehicle rims. As stated above, Chameleon paint reflects the sun's rays from different angles, but it all depends on the position of the particles in the pigment, as well as on the viewing angle of the human eye. Depending on the thickness of the layer, the wavelength is automatically determined based on the metal oxide.
Enamel for discs “Chameleon”
The wavelength of the blue, red, or yellow wavelength determines the suppression and reflection of color, as well as the resulting visual hue. This fact indicates that when a driver looks at a car disc coated with Chameleon paint, he sees different surface colors from different angles.
Silver, white, marsh, black matte paint for car rims
To give the wheels a stylish look, you can use silver, white, black or marsh paint. It is worth noting that some motorists prefer to replace the painting procedure by simply polishing aluminum wheels, since this usually costs several times less.
To paint car wheels, it is best to choose matte rubber paint “Plasti Dip”, which is sold in aerosol cans. Before applying the product, parts must undergo a washing and degreasing procedure. After the paint has been applied, the process of forming a highly elastic, sealed film begins on the discs, which can be easily removed if necessary.
If you want to radically change the color of the wheels on your car, it is advisable to first decide on the color of the paintwork.
Enamel for discs
The advantages of enamel for car wheels include the fact that it renews the appearance of the wheels and provides anti-corrosion protection. The enamel also creates an elastic coating that protects the wheels from the impact of small stones, the negative effects of weather conditions, sand and salt. Before applying the product, it is absolutely not necessary to prime the surface and coat it with varnish.
Before painting wheel rims with enamel, they should be removed, cleaned of rust formations, then degreased and dried thoroughly. Elements that cannot be painted must be protected with masking tape. To apply automotive enamel, it is advisable to choose a well-ventilated area and also think about personal protection.
Painting car wheels at home
As for the air temperature in the room where the procedure for painting car wheels takes place, it must be at least 10 degrees above zero. The drying time of the coating must be strictly observed, since it depends on the specific brand of machine. On average, paint drying time is about 4-5 hours.
If the result does not fully satisfy the driver or some errors are noticed, the parts need to be re-enamelled. But from all of the above, we can conclude that painting wheel rims at home is more than possible. To do this, you just need to acquire special paint, varnish or enamel, and also become familiar with the intricacies of the procedure.
If you follow all the rules and recommendations, you can achieve the desired result, which will cost several times less than at a vehicle service station. But first, before painting, you need to study the algorithm for the procedure and read reviews regarding a particular paint coating.
How and how to paint car rims yourself
Fundamentally, the process of imparting decorative properties to wheels is no different from any other painting work on a car. There are some peculiarities, but in general the technology is the same: surface preparation, priming, painting, preferably polishing. Home technology differs significantly from industrial production, where the discs typically adopt a hot-cured powder coating.
What paint to choose for wheels
In terms of chemical composition, cost, durability and decorative properties, all paints are somewhat different.
Each has advantages and disadvantages, otherwise they would have stopped being produced a long time ago.
- Nitro enamels. They dry very quickly and are cheap, but that’s where their advantages end. Nowadays, few people use them for car repairs, although not so long ago they even painted Rolls-Royces. True, using an extremely complex technology of two dozen layers with intermediate processing of each.
- Alkyd enamels. They are also easy to use and dry easily in the open air at normal temperatures. And they are inexpensive. A good property for an inexperienced craftsman is that they quickly form a film, which helps fight drips. But the quality of the coating and durability leave much to be desired.
- Acrylic paints. The most popular products in body repair. Provide high-quality coating with high decorative and protective properties. Can be used with natural drying and polymerization from heating. In combination with varnish they give deep, rich metallic effects.
- Powder enamels. They are rarely used in amateur work because they require complex equipment for application. But the coating is very durable and provides a beautiful appearance.
- Liquid rubber. Strictly speaking, it does not apply to paints, has a controversial reputation and difficult technology. The material, as they say, is not for everyone.
Most often, acrylic coating is chosen for self-application. It is convenient, durable and usually pleases with the results.
Pros and cons of painting castings and spray stamping
The use of paint in aerosol cans is attractive due to its simplicity. You don’t need a paint gun, which few people know how to use correctly, prepared and dehydrated air under strictly required pressure, and bringing the paint to the desired consistency. It is enough to shake an inexpensively purchased can.
This is precisely the first drawback. Not all cans are the same. You won't be able to paint a disc well on the cheap.
The correct aerosol should be from a reputable manufacturer, and not only contain good acrylic paint inside, but also provide an effective spray with a limited spot, within which the paint should lie evenly. This is the only way to get rid of unevenness and smudges.
You will have to apply several layers with intermediate drying. This will reveal the second drawback - low spray pressure. A high-quality torch, which a professional pistol gives, cannot be produced by a spray can. In addition, the pressure changes as it is spent, so you will also have to adapt to this.
To paint four discs you will need many cans, which can negate all the savings. And the result is unpredictable. At least not without proper training.
How to paint wheels yourself without removing the tires
It's better to take it off, of course. But you can do without this costly operation, which, moreover, can easily damage the results of your work. Repair paint does not have sufficient resistance to scratches and impacts.
Equipment and technology
To protect the rubber, you can use regular masking tape. Or use special cardboard shields that are inserted between the disk and tire with some overlap.
Among the tools, it is advisable to have a grinder with low adjustable operating speeds, or at least a good electric drill with attachments, a compressor, a paint gun, spatulas, and protective equipment for hands and respiratory organs. Consumables – sandpaper of different grain sizes, solvent, putty, primer, paint, varnish.
The wheel is glued to save the tire, after which it is processed to remove poorly adhering old paint and degreased. All irregularities are carefully filled with putty and sanded until an ideal surface is obtained. Paint and primer will not hide anything; on the contrary, a layer of paint is applied to reveal invisible flaws.
After preparation, the first layer of primary primer, the so-called filler, is applied. It will allow you to remove traces of sandpaper on the putty surface after fine sanding. The finishing primer is applied over the sanded filler.
As the primer dries, you can apply the first coat of paint. It is advisable to perform two of them in total. In accordance with the description of the technology of a specific set of materials, varnish is sprayed over the paint. Possible stains are cut off, ground and polished.
It should be remembered that few people succeed in obtaining a mirror surface, but this can be easily corrected by polishing with special pastes and a grinder attachment.
How to paint casting
With the tire removed, you can paint the rim much better. With this technology, the border between the treated areas and those covered by the tire will be eliminated. It is from there that the processes of destruction of the coating begin.
Otherwise, the technology does not differ from that described. But the removed disc can also be powder coated. It will be necessary to build a furnace for hot polymerization of the applied coating. This is not such a complex structure if you have sufficient area and a powerful electrical supply. But the coating will be no worse than the factory one.
You can even make a special electrostatic gun if you have experience working with high-voltage equipment.
How to paint stamping
Stamped steel wheels are less resistant to local damage. Therefore, it is better to pre-roll them, which will restore their original shape, and also roughly straighten out possible irregularities.
The rest will be done by putty, first strong, with fiberglass, and then finishing, which, when sanded with fine abrasives, will provide the desired smoothness.
What to do to prevent discs from rusting
When processing stamped steel wheels, special attention must be paid to removing rust. It has the property of a catalytic effect on the destruction of metal, even when under a layer of paint and varnish, the so-called under-film corrosion. Especially in hard-to-reach places where the disc connects to the rim.
Only sandblasting saves. Chemicals should not be used to remove rust from steel wheels.
They do not perform their role well, and they themselves can become sources of corrosion, since they are difficult to remove from the resulting porous surface. Only mechanical rust removal followed by priming should be used.
Do-it-yourself painting of alloy wheels
One of the easiest ways to make a car more attractive is to install high-quality alloy wheels, since their range allows you to satisfy the needs of even the most demanding car owners. However, during operation, they may lose their former luster, as scratches, chips, peeling and abrasions appear on them, which negatively affects the external perception of the machine, and also reduces the service life of the discs. Painting, which is easy to do with your own hands, can correct the situation.
Painting options for alloy wheels
In order to paint car rims, you need special paint. The most popular types of paint for them:
- powder,
- acrylic,
- so-called liquid rubber.
Powder paint is considered the most wear-resistant and durable
Powder paint is considered the most wear-resistant and durable. It is created on the basis of special polymer materials. Often, such paint is used by the manufacturer himself during industrial production. At home, powder paint is used extremely rarely, since its use requires specialized and very expensive equipment, as well as the complexity of the application process.
Acrylic paint can be applied from a spray can or spray gun
Acrylic paint is the most common among car owners. It is available in liquid form, so it can be applied from a spray can or spray gun. This paint has excellent adhesive properties, due to which it adheres well to the surface and reliably protects the disc from negative environmental factors.
Liquid rubber can be used both for the body and for individual elements of the car
Liquid rubber is a new type of painting material that is rapidly gaining popularity. It is a rubber-based paint that can be used both on the body of a vehicle and on individual elements of the car, including rims.
Each of the presented types has its own advantages, however, in everyday conditions, car owners opt for painting with acrylic paints.
Equipment and materials needed for painting
For quality work, the following materials are required:
- specialized paint for rims;
- primer;
- special varnish;
- sandpaper with different grain sizes;
- acetone or solvent;
- putty;
- gloves and respirator.
If you have all the necessary materials and equipment, the work will not take much time
Important: when choosing paint, primer and varnish, it is preferable to use products from the same manufacturer.
In addition to the right materials, you also need to acquire the necessary tools:
- A compressor and a spray gun, which allow you to make painting better (in fairness, it is worth noting that paint in cans also allows you to achieve good painting results).
- A grinder or electric drill with a grinding attachment, with which you can quickly and easily get rid of old coating and remove traces of corrosion.
- A heat gun, a hair dryer or a regular hair dryer are necessary to speed up the drying process of the paint.
If you have all the necessary equipment and materials, the work will not take much time and effort.
Dyeing process
Before you start preparing for painting, you need to remove the tires, as well as the plastic plugs, otherwise it will be impossible to paint the wheels properly.
Preparing for work
- The first step is to wash the surface from contaminants, for which you can use both specialized automotive and ordinary household chemicals.
We process the disc with sandpaper to remove chips and cracks
How to paint: description step by step
- We proceed to the primer, which is carried out in 2-3 layers. It is important to remember that before starting a new layer you must wait until the previous one has completely dried. Depending on the situation, it may also be necessary to sand with sandpaper before applying the final primer coat.
- We apply paint, holding the spray gun at a distance of at least 35–45 cm from the surface of the disc. Like the primer mixture, the paint is applied in 2-3 layers, and each new layer is sprayed only after the previously applied layer has completely dried.
- Applying varnish. The specifics of applying varnish are similar to the same process for primer and paint.
How to paint car wheels with your own hands
It is important to note: the varnish acquires peak protective properties only 6–7 days after application.
Security measures
In the process of painting work, you must adhere to certain safety rules:
- It is necessary to use special safety glasses to prevent harmful substances from entering the eyes.
- It is recommended to carry out all work wearing special protective gloves.
- Alloy wheels should be painted in a well-ventilated area, otherwise there is a high risk of chemical poisoning.
It’s easy to paint alloy wheels yourself, without going to specialized auto repair shops, which will save you quite a lot of money. The only thing the car owner needs is time and strict adherence to the steps described above.