Tuning and auto gadgets / From Autoclub
- Options for painting stamped discs with your own hands
- Preparation of equipment and materials
- Car wheel rim painting technology
The process of preparing to paint stampings in color
- Priming and painting
- Video about applying paint to stamped car wheels
The main problem with steel car wheels made by stamping is their not very attractive appearance, especially after a year or two of use on winter roads sprinkled with salt. It provokes the rapid appearance of rust, which occurs in places where the paintwork is damaged. Because of this, buying new rims is not the best option, because you can get by with “little expense” - painting the stamped wheels yourself. In this way you will return the wheels to a presentable appearance.
What you need to know before painting car rims
A scratch or corrosion of a car disk is actually a small fraction of faults; it can even be expressed as minor defects that may arise after some use of the car.
Moreover, both an experienced owner and a beginner can encounter this problem. But both need to know all the nuances of painting to give your favorite vehicle an attractive look.
And, if you paint the wheels yourself, you can not only save your family budget. But also acquire some skills for painting discs in the future.
Before this work, it is worth deciding what kind of discs the car is equipped with. And only after that start taking action.
Types of disks and their features
Vehicle products are manufactured in the following types:
- Stamped steel wheels;
- Cast forged wheels.
All cars are manufactured with the first type of wheels, regardless of the brand. In the future, they can be replaced with a higher quality product. Stamped steel wheels are made from cheap and low-quality alloys.
- Initially, their appearance does not raise suspicions. But literally after a short period of time the disks take on an unpresentable appearance.
- Highlighting any scratch on the product, even the smallest one. As for the wheel covers, they also lose their attractive appearance and break quickly.
- Alloy wheels are made from quality materials. Made with cast craftsmanship. Usually having a silver or silver-black tint.
They are less susceptible to corrosion, which gives them the right to greater use. And without causing unnecessary trouble to the car owner. Accordingly, only stamped steel products need to be painted.
Which paint to choose
Choosing what to paint your rims with is an important stage of work. Automotive painting is initially required to protect the material. A magnesium-aluminum alloy is often used, which is subject to oxidation from environmental influences. Another reason to get an improvement in the appearance of the product.
In the construction market, the following types of paint and varnish materials are usually chosen for painting discs:
- Based on acrylic, this type is available in a variety of shades. There are different forms of release: in cans, jars. The first type can be used without purchasing additional accessories. For the second you will need to use a spray bottle;
- Powder type. You can use other types, but this one is the most optimal. However, it is difficult to use them under normal conditions. For proper drying, you need a drying chamber, where the slightest particles will not fall on the surface, and polymerization will take place effectively, and the necessary temperature indicators will be created. In an ordinary garage, creating the necessary working conditions is problematic;
- Liquid rubber is an unusual material that gives a beautiful result, but car owners are often confused by its high cost.
Aerosol products for automotive repair have become popular due to their ease of use. They cover the surface of the body, small parts, disks and other elements.
Aerosol products for automotive repair have become popular due to their ease of use.
Painting products
The market offers many solutions for painting wheels. The most popular of them:
- Powder composition;
- Acrylic paint;
- Aerosol;
- Liquid rubber.
Peculiarity
Each of the above compositions differs in its individual characteristics. If we consider acrylic, aerosol cans and liquid rubber. These products are the most popular among analogues.
For example, acrylic paint comes in a huge range of colors. Covers scratches on car rims well. At the same time, you need very little of it. The only drawback of this composition is that after the slightest rough impact on the disc, the defect will again be visible. And you will have to do the same work again.
- Powder paint has a longer service life compared to the previous version. When the disc is painted, it acquires a more well-groomed appearance and shine.
- This composition protects the surface of the disc well from external influences. The only thing that needs to be noted is that the powder is used mainly in professional repair shops.
- But it can also be used for home use if you carefully study the instructions for use. And purchase the appropriate unit for the work.
With due effort, the result will not take long to arrive; the owner will receive a disc similar to the new product. But you will have to paint the entire surface of the product. Therefore, for minor defects, it is better to give preference to an acrylic composition.
Liquid rubber is a fairly new product for painting car rims. But, it managed to earn sufficient popularity not only among professionals, but also among amateur motorists.
After applying this composition, the product acquires a matte surface. Which ideally resists small chips from stones, as well as abrasions and scratches.
Coloring methods
There are many technologies that can be used to paint wheel rims. Which one is better? The choice will depend on the equipment of the workplace, the price category of paints, and the presence or absence of experience. Not all methods are suitable for home use; some are only available to professionals.
Previously, car enthusiasts painted stamped wheels with conventional paint - nitro enamel, oil enamel, pentaphthalic enamel. Now they have been replaced by more modern, durable paints and varnishes specifically for cars. The most popular are acrylic ones in cans or jars. Also, rim tuning can be done by the following means and methods:
- application of polymer (powder) coating;
- laying liquid rubber;
- chrome plating
The latter method allows you to create a chrome-plated disk that does not differ in appearance from the original one, but the cost of such work is high, and the technique is complex and requires a lot of experience of the craftsman. There is a cheaper alternative - applying regular acrylic paint “chrome-look” with special additives. It is sprayed galvanically or from cylinders.
How to paint car rims
From the examples above, you can understand that there are many products for painting wheels. Which can be used without going to a car repair shop. Replacing these establishments with your own garage or space in your summer cottage.
Alternative Corrosion Control Methods
There are other ways to remove rust from car wheels. So, you can use a homemade device, as shown in the video:
This method will be effective only for small lesions and will be an excellent temporary replacement for full-fledged painting of the discs.
However, no one can cope with protecting metal from corrosion better than professionals. The car service not only has all the necessary equipment and materials, but also experienced specialists who can provide high-quality and long-term rust protection for all types of discs.
How to spray paint
To paint with this composition you need to stock up on the following items:
- Rag for removing defects;
- Car soap;
- Masking tape;
- Sandpaper number 120 or 800;
- Solvent;
- Primer a couple of cans;
- Aerosol paint of the desired shade.
How does painting work?
The first step is to remove the wheels. This is necessary so as not to stain the car body. The discs are kept clean using car shampoo, sponges or rags.
Everything is optional. Sand irregularities on the surface of the disc. Remove the remains of this work. Degrease the surface of the product. Don't forget to seal the rubber base with tape. Before using the can, shake it well. And apply the composition from a distance of at least 25 cm.
After this, the work is evaluated, if there are any irregularities, they are sanded. And they carry out the painting operation again.
About security measures
Painting work using sprayers (cans or spray guns) poses a health hazard, no matter what kind of paint you use. Tiny droplets of chemical compounds form an aerosol (a suspension of liquid in the air) that enters the respiratory tract and eyes. Harmful substances, especially carcinogens, take a long time to be eliminated from the body. When using nitro paints, harmful acetone vapors are added to this set.
To paint wheels without harm to health, follow basic safety rules:
- carry out work in a well-ventilated area (for example, a garage with an open gate);
- do not paint in your own apartment, where small children live with you;
- wear a respirator or protective gauze bandage and goggles;
- Put rubber gloves on your hands.
Advice. The respiratory tract must be protected, starting with the process of stripping the metal of rust, since fine abrasive dust also rises in the air. Another option is to periodically moisten the sandpaper, which will prevent dust from appearing and will make rubbing easier.
The most difficult and time-consuming part of the wheel painting process is the preparation. Washing, sanding and degreasing will take up the lion's share of your time allotted for this event. In general, you should expect that the procedure will take 1 day plus another day for the paint to dry. But professional painting in a car repair shop is also not done quickly, and it will not be cheap. Hence the conclusion: painting steel wheels yourself makes sense, provided that you have free time.
How to paint with acrylic
This work is not particularly difficult. Therefore, acrylic is considered the most popular among all the means used for painting disk products.
What you need for work:
- Spray gun;
- Primer;
- Grinding product;
- Device "Ruff";
- Hairdryer;
- Solvent;
- Gloves to protect hands.
Completing of the work
Before painting, perform the same steps as when using an aerosol. The only thing is that the deep openings of the disks can be closed with putty.
Then the surface is primed. But before this, the disc is thoroughly dried to avoid defects during future painting. Apply a degreasing solution. And they start working with the spray gun.
Applying the composition from a distance of 25 cm. Craftsmen advise doing the work in three passes, applying a thin layer of paint each time. And keeping the time between actions for 30 minutes.
Selection of materials, tips
Typically, acrylic paint, glossy or matte, is used to paint metal. The primer for this paint is also acrylic (universal). There are also nitro paints. All of the above materials are packaged in an aerosol. But, as is easy to understand, not every primer is suitable for nitro enamels. Be aware that nitrogen based primers and paints are prohibited for use in most countries.
Here are some tips that are known even to beginners:
- The higher the air temperature, the faster drying occurs;
- The color of the primer should approximately match the color of the paint;
- The aerosol must be shaken before use. The packaging temperature, moreover, should not be lower than 25 degrees. This advice applies to any aerosol: with paint, primer or varnish.
It was said how to paint stamped wheels if you know that the work will be done with your own hands. And therefore, such an option as using powder paints was not considered. Good luck.
According to reviews, 4 discs require: 2 cans of dye (450 ml), one can of primer (450 ml), one can of varnish.
How to paint with liquid rubber
This is the highest quality product for painting car products. Even the high price of liquid rubber is compensated over time by the long service life of the discs.
What is needed to complete the actions:
- Acetone;
- Work clothes and footwear;
- Cylinder of raw rubber.
Performing Actions
To paint with rubber, you do not need to remove the old layer from the disc. It will be enough to make it clean by using plain water. And degrease with a special solution. If you carry out work without removing the wheels, then protect all places from rubber.
The composition is applied at intervals of 10 minutes. In this case, there can be up to 7 layers. To add shine to the disc, the spray can is kept at the maximum distance from the product. And if there is a need for a matte coating, then the can is kept away from the disc.
Important! Before starting work, it is recommended to conduct a test on an inconspicuous surface of the disk to understand what the result will look like.
Plastidip: why is it needed?
Painting discs with a relatively new material, plastidip, can be used to provide temporary protection for parts. For example, on a long trip to the sea or on a business trip. Also, using PlastiDip treatment, it is possible to change the color of the discs without removing the original paintwork.
This is due to the fact that the rubber-like layer of plastidip can be easily removed from the surface and is available in a wide range of shades - from matte black to bright and even poisonous. In addition, the material is durable and reliably protects the discs from chips and other similar damage.
Before painting with plastidip, the surface does not need to be sanded, puttied or primed - just wash it thoroughly and cover the adjacent rubber with tape.
Apply the product in three layers with a drying interval of 15 minutes.
Photos of wheels before and after painting
Process description
Painting discs is practically no different from painting other metal products. The process itself can be divided into several stages:
- removing dirt from disks;
- degreasing the surface;
- applying a layer of primer;
- leveling the surface of the product with sandpaper;
- painting with acrylic or other types of paint;
- drying painted discs.
Painting discs with your own hands
If desired, the discs can be coated with a layer of varnish after painting. This will improve the appearance of the product and protect it from damage. In any case, when choosing coatings, you need to be guided by the recommendations of the sellers.
Advantages of powder coating wheels
