Is it possible to paint alloy wheels yourself?
How to paint a cast wheel. DIY work, plus detailed video
Nobody ever bothers with painting ordinary stampings But when the question arises about alloy wheels, namely about restoring the paintwork, a lot of doubts arise. Is it even possible to paint it? Or do they already come like this from the factory? But what if you want to change their appearance and give them a different appearance, for example yellow-black or black-red, etc., can they be painted? And also, is it possible to do the work yourself? Let’s figure it out step by step, there will be a detailed video...
THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE
Very often, alloy wheels are painted specifically to restore their appearance, for example, if they were scratched from a long process of use, or they were scratched on a curb, etc. Also in metropolitan regions there is a problem when the paint swells and blisters from the aggressive environment; it also needs to be repainted and restored, because it looks terrible. However, it happens that they are repainted to match the design of the car, but this is only 5 - 10% of the total mass.
Or maybe buy a new one?
The question is logical, a scratched cast wheel can be deformed, and significantly so, before you paint it, you need to determine its serviceability. Moreover, this is quite simple to do if there are a few points:
- We check the surfaces from above and below for cracks; if there are none, there is a high probability that it is “alive”
- We check for broken parts; they should not be on the rims of the disc.
- Checking for jams. If the disk is “beaten”, then there may be severe jams, this is also bad, because if you try to straighten them, the surface may simply burst
- We are looking for places of adhesions. The thing is that now the disks can be soldered, you shouldn’t do this, I advise you to use this option in the spare wheel, or on the edge on the rear wheel. Nevertheless, the structure is disrupted, and the surface can collapse at any moment
- Balancing. You can check the balancing, again a wrinkled or broken disk will show bad results, if the deviation is not so great, this is normal
After checking, you can make a decision; if everything is fine, there are no cracks or breaks, you can start painting.
Maybe powder and sandblasting?
There are professional repainting systems, that is, companies remove the old paint using sandblasting, and then apply powder paint, varnish, etc.
But this is not our method, because doing it yourself, this way is quite problematic! And if you give it to someone, the cost will be about 10,000 - 12,000 rubles per set. It all depends on the diameter of your disk.
Therefore, he will look for another method of painting, with his own hands, first we decide on the materials.
What do you need?
At the very beginning, you should stock up on all the necessary materials and tools. So what do you need:
- Sandpaper, usually fine (60 - 80, also 400 - 600) to remove the old paint layer
- Paint remover
- Brush for applying wash
- Degreaser. Possibly white spirit or thinner
- Masking tape
- Primer
- Paint 2 – 3 cans
- Varnish – 1 can
- Detergents
- Well, and of course special clothing and PREFERABLY a respirator if you paint indoors
This is the most necessary thing, we definitely buy it in stores; almost everything is sold in special painting or body shops.
About paint and primer
Now, probably, many people are concerned about this information - what kind of paint to paint, how much of it is needed? How much primer and varnish should I take?
- Automotive enamel paint, but it is advisable to take heat-resistant paint, sold in cans, sprayed like an aerosol! Of course, you can take car enamel in cans, but to apply it evenly you need a spray gun, which incurs additional costs, so this is not our method! Take heat-resistant enamel paint, in cans
- About the color. Many people think that there are only basic colors, such as white, black and silver. However, this is not entirely true; you can repaint the wheels in absolutely any color you want, even purple, green, yellow, etc. There are no restrictions here.
About the primer and varnish.
Take it along with the paint, usually they are already included in the line, that is, one manufacturer has both primer and varnish for your paint. Ask the seller a question, they will help you. It is also advisable to take heat-resistant soil. The varnish is only needed to maintain the shine, and it also protects the paintwork.
Consumption of materials
So, you can paint it in two ways. The first is to paint the entire disc completely, that is, both the back and front parts, plus the rim itself. It will take a lot of paint, about 4 - 5 cans, plus the same amount of primer, and about 3 points of varnish.
However, this is not always necessary, because often only the outer part of the disk is painted; in fact, this is what we will do.
If we take the consumption in this method, then here is approximately:
- Primer 1 can
- 2 cans of spray paint, you will need it most
- Varnish – 1 point.
Preparation
First we need to remove the old layer of paint. There are several ways to do this, but I will advise you on the only correct one.
- First, we need to wash off the paint; there are special compounds that remove paint and even part of the primer. We just need to apply it with a brush, wait 15 minutes, and the paint will begin to swell, that is, come off. It is easy to remove with a construction spatula; it can be peeled off like old wet wallpaper from a wall.
- But with the soil underneath it, it’s not so simple. The “wash” has a worse effect on it, so you will have to “sweat” with the skin. One more thing, if there are deep scratches on the paint, say, down to the metal, then it is advisable to also remove them along with the primer. If in some places it does not come off, you can leave it, the main thing is to understand that it is holding well.
After the top layer is removed, an almost clean surface of the disk appears before us, well, with some soil in hard-to-reach places.
If you have wheels with tires, then you need to seal them along the contour with masking tape. To avoid staining the rubber with paints and varnishes.
Next, before painting, degrease the cleaned surface; this can be done with WHITE SPIRIT or Solvent.
Painting
The most crucial moment, here everything is divided into three points:
- Primer. Apply by spraying at a distance of 30 - 35 cm from the surface of the cast disc. Either two or three layers are applied. We apply it not greasy, so that it does not flow. After application, wait 15 minutes. What I would like to note is that for a really good result, after applying the last layer you need to wait a couple of hours, or better yet 12 hours, for the primer to completely set. This way it will hold more securely, but 15 minutes is not enough, in my opinion!
- Applying paint. Next, we paint the cast disc, apply three layers, and also wait 15 minutes after each application.
- The final stage is LAC. It can be applied either 1 or 2 layers. Each manufacturer is different.
That's it, that's all the instructions. As a result, painting the castings, all 4 of them, will cost approximately 1000–1200 rubles, but not 10–12,000! Which is 10 times cheaper.
Now we are watching a short video.
This is where I end, I think my article was useful to you, read our AUTOBLOG.
( 13 votes, average: 4.31 out of 5)
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.
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.
Do-it-yourself painting of alloy wheels (photo).
Theme Options
Search by topic
Do-it-yourself painting of alloy wheels (photo).
I painted it myself.
Enamel for cars is of course flimsy, but unfortunately I couldn’t find paint for non-traditional light rims; we sell them only for aluminum: (((I painted it with regular enamel, but in the color I wanted. Everything was bought in regular stores, the budget for painting all 4 disks in the region of 2-2.5 thousand + a lot of tedious work on cleaning, sanding, etc.
a long
time. We'll see if there are enough of them :))) Since there is no second set of wheels, I used the following scheme:
We put a spare tire in place of one wheel, take off the disk and throw away the bald summer tires, paint the disk, put new winter tires on it and put it on the car, so all 4 wheels : )))
What you need for work.
This is what the disk once looked like.
This is what my disk looked like after several Perm winters; the coating was eaten away by the salt.
The disc has been washed, weights have been removed, etc.
After washing off the paint, clean it with a spatula. I didn’t find sandblasting, I used a wash.
We hang it up and degrease it with solvent.
Primer, then wait for it to dry and sand all the jambs again, then lightly prime again and dry.
Three layers of paint, the first barely covers the ground, wait 10-15 minutes and the second, main layer, wait 10-15 minutes and the final layer, at a great distance.
Leave to dry for a day, preferably two if the temperature is about 25 degrees.
Just painting it seemed banal to me and I decided to restore the inscription. I made a mock-up of the inscription in Corel and ordered an adhesive stencil from an advertising agency.
Glue the stencil onto the completely dry disk. Soapy water helps a lot.
Methods for painting alloy wheels at home
It's no secret that every motorist tries to keep his “swallow” in the best condition. This applies not only to issues of serviceability, but also to appearance. After all, if it comes to selling, it will bring in extra money.
Cast wheel, powder coated
One of the most noticeable elements of any car is the wheel rims. They are invisible when they look gray and dull, but they immediately distinguish the car from others when they are well-groomed and look original. But during operation, discs experience the greatest wear of any visible element - they suffer from countless holes and potholes, from impacts from gravel and chemical reagents that utility services sprinkle on roads.
As a result, sooner or later the wheels lose their original shine and acquire many scratches, chips, various stains appear on them, and the appearance of the entire car suffers. Painting can solve this problem, and any car enthusiast can do it at home. This will also protect the wheels from future troubles and significantly extend their service life.
Painting options for alloy wheels
Alloy wheels - and they are the ones used most often - can be painted in different ways. The differences mainly lie in the use of different types of paint:
- Powder paint creates a durable and resistant to any impact coating. It is used by many manufacturers, which speaks for itself. The rims of a new car are most likely painted this way.
- Acrylic paint also creates a durable protective film that can withstand all troubles for a long time. It is easy to apply and is the most common method of painting at home.
- Nitroenamel is easy to apply, but does not last as long as acrylic. Suitable for quickly correcting cosmetic imperfections.
- Liquid rubber is a rubber-based paint that, when applied, forms a thin rubber film that reliably protects the painted part. It is sold in ready-made cans and cannot be mixed to obtain a different color. Limited shades are the main drawback.
Alloy wheels, spray painted
Since every car enthusiast wants to know how to paint his alloy wheels at the lowest cost, we will briefly discuss the features of each method.
The use of powder paint requires special equipment, which is expensive, so it can not be considered for home use.
Liquid rubber is still rarely used, mainly due to the difficulties of choosing colors, since the range on the market is still quite limited.
Acrylic paint and nitro enamel are sold in cans. It can be applied directly from the can or using a spray gun. You can mix different colors and get the desired shade. There are no difficulties in painting, but the acrylic coating is much stronger and more durable than nitro enamel. Therefore, car enthusiasts usually use it. We will consider this method.
Equipment and materials necessary for painting
Painting wheels is a responsible and step-by-step job, so you need to prepare in advance everything that may be required. You need not only paint, but also many different things:
- Metal brush for cleaning disks from old paint, dirt, rust, and other contaminants.
- Sandpaper of different grits is needed for cleaning disks and eliminating scratches, chips, leveling the surface and final cleaning.
- Rags.
- Protective equipment – gloves, goggles, respirator.
- Solvent or acetone.
- Putty.
- Putty knife.
- Polyethylene, paper, masking tape - to cover areas that do not need to be painted.
- Acrylic paint in cans – specialized for rims.
- Varnish.
It is great if it is possible to use special devices for grinding - a grinding machine or drill with a special attachment, or a sandblasting machine. For painting, you can use a spray gun or a compressor - they simplify the work and allow you to quickly get a high-quality result, although simply using paint cylinders is also quite acceptable.
Before you begin, the disk must be prepared and cleaned
For quick drying, it is advisable to have a heat gun or hair dryer. An ordinary household hair dryer will do, if nothing more powerful is available.
It is recommended to purchase paint and putty from the same manufacturer - then no “surprises” of incompatibility will arise and the work will be easier.
The room must have good ventilation, because paint is a rather toxic substance and even when using a respirator, good ventilation is necessary. There must be good lighting. It is very undesirable to work outside due to the presence of dust.
Procedure for painting discs with acrylic paint
Painting wheels is a step-by-step process, which is divided into two large parts: preparing the wheels and painting itself. You need to approach them with all responsibility, because any defect will affect the quality of the coating.
Of course, before work you need to remove the wheels from the car. Please note that it takes several days for the varnish to gain optimal strength. Therefore, work should be carried out when no urgent trips are planned.
Painting alloy wheels is quite possible with your own hands; it is not difficult. No assistant required.
Allow the primer to dry before applying paint.
Preparing alloy wheels for painting
Before painting, the disc needs careful preparation. It needs to be washed well; if necessary, you can use household chemicals. It is very advisable to remove the rubber, although in extreme cases you can paint it with it, but then it will have to be carefully insulated with paper and tape. If you strictly follow the sequence of actions and take your time, then alloy wheels painted at home will look no worse than new ones.
- It is advisable to hang the disk in such a way that there is maximum convenient access to any of its surfaces.
- Use a metal brush, sandpaper or sandblaster to remove old paint. Then you need to carefully sand chips, scratches and other defects.
- If necessary, cracks should be sealed using argon welding, and the seams should be cleaned and sanded.
- The uneven areas need to be filled with putty, and when the putty is completely dry, the uneven areas must be sanded down.
- Wash the disc under running water.
The surface of the disk is processed, leveled, and then comes the primer before painting.
- Use a rag soaked in solvent to degrease the entire surface.
- Apply the primer in 2-3 layers from a spray can or using a spray gun, making sure that there are no missed spots or drips.
- For faster drying, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun.
- After the first layer has completely dried, the primer is applied again - this will be the final layer.
- After drying, use fine-grained sandpaper to remove any resulting irregularities.
- Repeat degreasing with solvent.
Now you can start the actual painting.
This is what spray painting alloy wheels looks like
Applying paint and varnish to alloy wheels
This process is simple, but we will give some useful tips, since painting alloy wheels correctly is very important - any mistake will be visible and the appearance of the entire car will suffer.
The paint is applied in 1-2 layers, allowing each layer to dry completely. You can use a spray gun or a can of paint. When painting, they need to be kept at a distance of about 40 cm from the disk, repeating its relief so that the distance does not change and the paint is applied evenly.
You need to start from the inner surface, since the paint will still leak onto the outer surface and form streaks on it. These drips must then be wiped off with a rag containing solvent and the outer surface painted.
After the last layer of paint has completely dried, varnish is applied, also in 2 layers, with each one thoroughly dried. When the varnish is completely dry, you need to wait another day before putting on the rubber.
Please note that the varnish coating acquires optimal hardness only after a few days, so during this period it is better to refrain from traveling, or at least avoid off-road driving, where there is a risk of scratching the fresh coating.
As you can see, the process of painting alloy wheels is not that complicated and is quite possible at home. Despite its simplicity, when the technology is implemented, the coating turns out to be of quite high quality and beautiful.