About painting car rims and painting equipment

The car must not only perform the main function of transportation, but also harmoniously combine elements of the exterior. To create a beautiful appearance of a car and emphasize its unique design, you need to know what you can use to paint your car’s rims and how to match colors to its body elements.

Disk types

Many people know that disks are divided into three types:

1. Stamped.
2. Cast.
3. Forged.

Their differences are not only in appearance. Here is a brief comparative description of each type.

Stamped:

• Material – Steel, painted with enamel.
• Manufacturing technology – Hot pressing.
• Weight – Large.
• Maintainability – Good, since upon impact the discs are deformed but do not burst. You can use the method of heating the metal.
• Durability – Strong and flexible.
• Design – None.
• Cost – Lowest of all types.

Cast:

• Material – Metal alloy, mainly based on aluminum.
• Manufacturing technology – Gravity casting (conventional or under pressure) followed by hardening at a temperature of 540 °C;
• Selected models – “Liquid Forging”.

Forged wheels:

• Material – Aluminum and magnesium alloys.
• Manufacturing technology – Multi-stage process: hot stamping;
• cooling;
• re-stamping;
• obtaining a fine-grained metal structure (alternating heating with cooling);
• artificial aging;
• mechanical restoration.

There are also prefabricated wheels, but this is an exclusive option that is made to order. They are distinguished by even lower weight and high repairability. The strength of such discs is great, but the price is even higher than forged ones.

Painting technology

Before painting yourself, you need to clarify how much base material (paint) is needed. You should buy enamel with a reserve so that there are no problems with matching the tone, otherwise the discs will be different in color.

Necessary materials and equipment

In order for the job to be done efficiently, you should not skimp on paint. It is also important to check the expiration date of enamel and other materials. The technician will need automotive primer and varnish, acetone or another solvent, and car putty (if there are defects).

Tools and consumables you need:

• fine grain sandpaper;
• gloves;
• respirator;
• Sander;
• construction hairdryer

what color wheels will go with a blue car?

If for you a car is not just a means of transportation, but an important component of your image or, in general, a passion in life, then you will probably want everything in it to be perfect, so that every detail is in harmony with the other elements and makes your four-wheeled friend stand out from the flow of cars. This applies to all appearance elements, including the wheels. We will talk about them in detail. A professional one will give them exactly the look that the car owner wants. But how to decide on the color of the wheels?

Which wheels are suitable for your car? It is important to think about combining the wheels with the color of the car body, otherwise the car may look awkward. So, if your four-wheeled friend is made in white, then the same or silver components will suit it. You can also try to play with contrast and choose a matte, plain black disc; individual elements of the product may have grooves. A good solution for a silver car would be wheels of the same color with milling grooves.

For dark red and dark blue cars, products with a decorative stripe along the rim, the color of which will match the paint of the car, are suitable. If you are looking for a universal option, then you should pay attention to silver wheels, which will fit almost every car. Owners of black cars are the luckiest ones; wheels of almost any color will look good on them, but it’s better not to install white products. High-quality paint for painting wheels will not only help you obtain the desired color for the product, but will also ensure their excellent appearance throughout their entire service life.

Popular products

Body

Body paints are a one-component alkyd composition produced in aerosols. The product has increased strength and wear resistance, and has good adhesion.

Body paint has an affordable price and low consumption (the optimal number of layers applied is two or three). Ideal as a paint for stamped wheels, as well as cast versions. Should be applied with a spray gun. How much material is needed to paint one wheel is usually indicated on the can, but the consumption is small.

Motip

Unlike Body, Motip disc enamels are acrylic-based compositions designed to give an attractive appearance. Products from Motip have all the advantages of acrylic paints; the compositions protect the surface from various influences and are characterized by high adhesion.

The palette includes black, white, and golden colors. The texture can be matte or glossy. All products are supplied exclusively in cans.

How to paint: spray the enamel onto a cleaned and degreased surface, holding the can at a distance of 30-40 cm. The material is ideal as paint for alloy wheels.

As an analogue, you can use Kudo products - these are paints in spray cans based on good quality liquid rubber.

What paint to use depends on the purpose - if you need to give the surface gloss and shine, and not just protect it from corrosion, then it is better to use acrylic and rubber coatings. Painting the wheels with glowing paint will make the car doubly original.

How to paint wheels yourself (2 videos)

Paints of different brands (25 photos)

Before deciding on the color of your car rims, you need to consider several factors:

• The general shade of the car - if the tone is muted, then it is better to make the external components a kind of bright spot. On the contrary, on bright cars it is better not to overdo it with color and choose simple shades.
• The purpose of using the car is for work and business meetings, then the choice should be made on the attributes of classic shades. For people of respectable status, golden models are suitable, for family purposes - muted ones.

International and Russian designations for wheel colors

The colors of the rims can be easily identified by the abbreviation that is indicated on them. They are usually designated by a standard letter code accepted throughout the world. In the total mass of colors one can distinguish: basic, saturated, complex and polished (in fragments or completely).

1. Worldwide accepted designation for wheel color:

• AGF - aluminate gold full polish - fully polished, color: gold + aluminum chips.
• AGL - aluminate gold lip polish - partially polished disc (rim only), color: gold + aluminum chips.
• BKF - black full polish - fully polished, color: black.
• BG - black green - black with green.
• BGL - black green lip polish - partially polished (rim), color: black + green.
• BLF - blue full polish - partially polished (rim), color: blue.
• BLP/BKL - black lip polished - partially polished (rim), color: black.
• BKL - black lip polish - partially polished (rim), color: black.
• BM/BFP - black with face polished - partially polished (front side), color: black.
• BR - brown - brown.
• BRL - brown lip polish - partially polished (rim), color: brown.
• BZF - bronze full polish - fully polished, color: bronze.

• CH - chrome - with chrome coating.
• DG/P - dimond gray polish - diamond polished rim, color: grey.
• DB/P - dimond black polish - diamond polished rim, color: black.
• FCGL - flash champagne gold lip polish - partially polished (rim), color: “champagne splashes”.
• GM - gun metal - black, matte.
• GMF - gun metal full polish - fully polished, black, matte.
• GM FP - gun Metall FP - partially polished (rim, spokes), silver.
• GMCL - gun metal left lip polish - partially polished (central hub and rim), matte black.
• GMCF - gun metal left full polish - partially polished (central hub and front side), deep dark gray color.
• GML - gun metal lip polish - partially polished (rim), matte black.

• GRC - gray machined face - partially polished (central hub, rim), gray.
• Gray FP - gray face polished - completely polished on the outside, gray in color.
• HB FP - hyper black with face polished - completely polished on the outside, deep black.
• HP - hyper silver - deep silver.
• HPL - hyper silver lip polish - partially polished (rim), deep silver color
• HPCL - hyper silver left lip polish - partially polished (central hub, rim), deep silver.
• HPB - hyper black - deep black.
• HPBF - hyper black full polish - fully polished, deep black.
• HPBCL - hyper black left lip polish - partially polished (central hub and rim), deep black.
• HPBL - hyper black lip polish - partially polished (rim), deep black.
• H/P Blue - hyper color series - deep blue color.
• H/P GOLD - hyper color series - deep gold.

• H/P Gray - hyper color series - dark gray color.
• HPBF - hyper black full polish - fully polished, deep black tone.
• HPT - hyper titanium - deep titanium color.
• HSCMLP - hyper silver left machine lip polish - partially polished (rim), deep silver color.
• H/S - hyper silver - silver.
• HS/DP - hyper silver diamond polish - deep silver color, partial diamond polishing (rim).
• HS FP - hyper silver with face polished - deep silver, fully polished (outer side).
• LBR - light brown - light shade of brown.
• LG - light gold - the color of gold.
• LGF - light gold full polish - fully polished, “gold”.
• LGL - light gold lip polish - partially polished (rim), “gold”.
• LML - light metal lip polish - light metallic, partially polished (rim).
• MB - mist black - smoky black.
• MB FP - mat black face polished - partially polished (front side), matte black.
• MBR - mist brown - smoky brown.
• MGM - mist gun metal - smoky black, non-glossy.
• MLG - mist light gold - smoky “gold”.
• MLM - mist light metal - smoky metallic.

• MS - mist silver - smoky “silver”.
• NM/BM - mat black machine face - partially polished (outer side), matte black.
• PWL - pearl white lip polish - partially polished (rim), pearl white.
• RF - red full polish - fully polished, red.
• S - silver - “silver”.
• SAP - silver acril powder - “silver”, acrylic spraying.
• SAPF - silver acril full polished - “silver”, acrylic spraying, fully polished.
• SF - silver full polish - fully polished “silver”.
• SL - silver lip polish - partially polished (rim), “silver”.
• SLP - silver lip polished - partially polished (rim), “silver”.
• SM/SFP - silver face machined - partially polished (outer side), “silver”.
• SP - sand polished - sand color.
• SSP - silver + shine+ polish - “silver”, lacquer gloss, partially polished (outer side).
• W - white - white.
• White - color series - white.
• White FP - white face polished - partially polished (outer side), white.
• WL - white lip polish - partially polished (rim), white.

2. iFree rims: unlike rims from other manufacturers, the color of this company's rims has a designation in Russian. But without a reminder, it’s still quite difficult to understand them.

• Ice - light “diamond silver”.

• Neoclassical - classic “silver”.
• Liberia - black gloss.
• Alaska - white gloss.
• Hai wei - deep “silver”.
• Tarmak - matte gray.

3. The colors of SCAD wheels also have their own designations:

• Platinum is silver with a spark, coarse-grained structure.
• “Selena” – uniformly shiny metallic, finely dispersed surface structure.
• “Selena-super” (“brimetal”) is a single-color chrome-plated color with a black backing effect. The color of the brimetal wheel rims completely matches the selenium super, but false bolts are used as an addition.
• “Selena-combi” - the color of the rims gradually changes from the edge to the center of the rim from silver to black.
• “Diamond” is a combo color. The outer side is diamond polished aluminum, the remaining surfaces are gloss black.
• “Diamond-super” is a combo color. The outer side is diamond polished aluminum, the remaining surfaces are dark chrome.
• “Anthracite-diamond” is a combo color. The sides and edge are diamond polished aluminum, the rest of the parts are gloss black.
• “White Diamond” is a combo color. The outer side is diamond polished aluminum, everything else is white gloss.

• Matte black - as the name implies, uniformly black without gloss.
• “Galvano” - mirror-effect surface, chrome on a black base.
• White - plain white gloss.
• Anthracite - plain black gloss.
• “Matte Diamond” is a combo color. The outer surface is plain black without gloss, diamond-cut surfaces are white without gloss.
• “Racing” - plain silver metallic.

Recommendations

Comments 47

Ahaha)) and I also poked my head in)) We discussed this 4 months ago.

topic was discussed 2 years ago

Don't worry about anything, in a week the paint will start to peel off for many reasons, and you will just have to wash them off))

I have 18 slippers. boo. their paint has peeled off. So I want to paint them

I had these on my balloon

my opinion is only bright white under varnish

Sorry, I was drunk and didn't pay attention to the date.

did you read what time it is BZ? These discs have been missing for like 2 years

Only silver or black will suit this car. White is extremely soiled and will quickly look sloppy. Other colors don't suit at all.

Try bright green or light green and then a colorless, luminous varnish!

If black or white, then paint the calipers in the body color. It will look nice. Or in body color. Then you don't have to paint the calipers. And the car will look more uniform. You can also paint the rim of the disc black or white. It will look good too.

In Pink Fluorescent and before this cover with a white matte primer...

Given the color of the car, it's pink!

but in vain, I would polish the shelf and blow out the star in black or white

Why paint wheels?

Good enamel for rims
When driving, rims constantly suffer. They are more susceptible to wear, scratches, and other damage, both chemical and mechanical, than other elements. Of course, such damage does not affect performance, but significantly worsens the appearance of the entire car.

It is recommended to paint wheels in the following cases:

• If you bought it used;
• If they were used for a long time, they lost their appearance;
• If you were in an accident or drove off-road;
• If restoration was carried out;
• If you want to update their appearance.

If you use good enamel for discs, you will significantly increase their service life. The resulting film will protect the metal from scratches and other damage. In addition, it repels dirt.

Important! Wheels can be painted in classic colors (black, silver) or in bright and interesting shades. This will help you highlight your car in the crowd, make it bright and memorable.

Existing dyeing methods

Gone are the days when car enthusiasts who wanted to do the painting themselves could only use nitro enamel, and, as a last resort, used oil and pentaphthalic paints. Now new chemical compositions have appeared, thanks to which it is possible to paint rims in several ways:

• using acrylic paints sold in aerosol cans;
• application of polymer coatings;
• the old method is painting with automotive nitro enamel;
• laying a layer of so-called liquid rubber;
• chrome plating

This is what a newly painted wheel on a car looks like

Not all of the options listed are suitable for implementation at home. Take a polymer (powder) coating that is very resistant to environmental influences and mechanical damage. It is applied using a certain technology, consisting of the following stages:

1. Surface preparation, including degreasing.
2. Priming with a special composition.
3. Application of powder enamel.
4. Curing the paintwork in an oven.

Reference. On sale you can find polymer paints that harden without heat treatment. But their strength and durability are not so high and in terms of performance properties they are equal to acrylic coatings.

Since not every home has an oven for heat treatment of painted products, this method is not suitable for the average car owner. Unless you go to a specialized auto repair shop, where they will apply the polymer with high quality and charge a decent price.

How to choose wheels for a car

Replacing car rims is not as easy a task as it seems. Wheels for a particular machine have up to nine characteristics that must be taken into account. This is due to the design features of the brand and aesthetic considerations. Many car owners prefer to trust automatic selection programs or car service technicians. In the latter case, you will have a guarantee that all your preferences will be taken into account and implemented. This is how the Tuningberg wheel restoration center works. Let's take a closer look at the question of how to choose wheels for a car correctly, while maintaining safety and optimal design.

What equipment is used for polymer painting of steel and aluminum wheels?

Equipment
Powder paint is applied using a special gun that has an electrostatic effect. Accordingly, the structure in the spray booth can withstand the maximum temperature. Using this method, painting discs is carried out in an open area, away from small children.

You might be interested in this About rims on Hyundai cars

Many people are also concerned about what is needed to paint wheels with their own hands. Initially, you will have to select equipment. You can use a regular electric drill with attachments. These same attachments will also be useful in the future for painting the body or polishing car windows. If the car owner uses acrylic paint, he will definitely need a gun and a compressor.

Creating an individual car image

All caring car owners who decide to update the appearance of their wheels most often ask the same question, which concerns color solutions for painting their wheels. You can find the answer to the question “what color to paint the wheels in” in the catalog of finished works. Among the huge variety of shades, everyone will choose the perfect color for their style. Whatever color your car is (black, white, red, blue), you can easily find exactly the type of wheel paint that perfectly matches its appearance.

You will really have quite a wide choice to realize your creative ideas. For example, you can professionally powder-coat the wheels in 2 or 3 colors, make a edging, or order exclusive bright paints for painting.

Fastener form

This position is especially worrying for car owners who have decided to replace stamped wheels with cast ones. On stamped discs, the bolts and nuts fit tightly to the surface because they have a slightly conical shape. The configuration of the cast disk is more convex, it is thicker than the stamped one. In this case, you need to use a different fastener: with a hemispherical or flat working part. For each disk this issue is resolved individually. Sometimes bolts with a floating cone are required to partially compensate for misalignment of surfaces.

How to choose wheels to match the color of your car

Today, a car is no longer just a means of transportation. This is a sign of the status and taste of its owner, so color and design are no less important than the technical characteristics of the engine or chassis. When replacing discs, most car owners focus on their aesthetic appeal and originality. So that after such a procedure your car really looks impressive and “expensive”, let’s consider several principles of color scheme.

Wheel and body color, combination rules

• Wheels that are too dark in color are not suitable for a white car. In this case, it is best to use silver shades. The exception is the “white-black” contrast. It always wins in appearance, and if the wheels are made matte and varnished, then your car will immediately become several points more expensive. Remember that before painting you should prepare the metal surface. More information about this is written on the sandblasting page.
• A silver car should have wheels of the same color. The steel color is neutral, but does not “get lost” against the background of the body. The overall appearance of the car becomes light and elegant.
• Black wheels will fit on a red car. This noble color has one important drawback - it emphasizes all the smallest surface defects. The “TuningBerg” service will provide you with the necessary types of processing before painting, so that the black color emphasizes only a perfectly flat surface.
• Owners of black cars ask the most questions. Some people prefer the opposite contrast by installing white wheels on a black car. Others criticize them, arguing that such a combination is absurd. In this case, black wheels with silver spokes look very stylish. We will help you imagine what your car will look like with new wheels using computer modeling programs.
• You should never match the color of the wheels to the color of the body. It looks “cheap” and unprofessional. The exception is the combination of a black body and black wheels, which we described above.

How color creates volume

Designers have long known that the volumetric perception of an object depends on color. This must also be taken into account when painting wheels. Dark colors visually reduce size, which is why chunky SUVs with big wheels usually have light or silver rims. Sports cars with low profile wheels benefit from black rims that highlight the spokes.

Number of spokes

Spokes on discs can also visually increase size. Therefore, it is better to equip small wheels with disks with a large number of spokes, while large wheels have standard 5-6 spokes and look harmonious.

Color of stamped discs

Factory models rarely differ in aesthetics and originality, so car owners themselves try to distinguish the car from the general gray mass. Stamped wheels are usually powder coated to match the body color. If you apply a contrasting layer on top, emphasizing the rim and spokes, it can look good. Just remember that some colors do not go together at all - purple and orange “do not fit” with black or white.

Alloy wheel color

Even an owner who is far from design may have problems with painting alloy wheels. After restoration, it is necessary to give the wheels a complete look, so the choice of color must be made. Here are a few ready-made solutions that have been tested by experience.

There are general rules for color combinations that, like the laws of physics, exist regardless of our tastes and preferences. You don't need to be an artist or designer to understand them. Here are the basic principles:

• Contrast: Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are combined.
• Analogy. Feel free to choose neighboring shades. They will look harmonious and stylish.
• Monochrome. The body and wheels are painted the same color, but different shades are used.

To ensure that the disc color chosen on paper does not disappoint the owner in reality, you need to take care of the application surface. Bumps and potholes simply covered with paint will create a mottled look that is sloppy and unsightly. Several methods are used to pre-treat discs before painting: polishing, sandblasting, diamond grinding. In each specific case they have their own advantages. What your wheels require, ask the Tuningberg service managers. They will conduct a free diagnosis and draw up an individual pre-painting plan.

Painting options

Modern painting technologies have long surpassed ordinary enamels. To make the color of the disc look more impressive and the paint to last longer, the following application options have been developed:

• Powder coating.
• Liquid rubber.
• Chrome plating.
• Acrylic.

Powder coating is the “gold standard” for car wheels. Our service has all the necessary equipment to carry out such work efficiently. To clearly show the advantages of powder paints, we provide a comparative table.

Acrylic paints:

• Cost – The most budget option.
• Surface requirement – ​​Small scratches and chips can be smoothed out.
• Durability – Unresistant to chemical reagents, but susceptible to mechanical destruction (friction, shock).

Liquid rubber:

• Cost – More expensive than acrylic paints.
• Surface Requirement – ​​Fits well on any surface.
• Durability – Not strong enough under mechanical stress, scratches quickly form.
• Other characteristics – Hardens quickly and is easily removed from the surface.

Powder paints:

• Cost – Mid price segment.
• Surface requirement: Smooth.
• Durability – Protects against corrosion and chips for a long time.
• Other characteristics - Parts must be heated to 250 °C before application.

Chromium:

• Cost – Mid price segment.
• Requirement for the surface - It must be perfectly flat, only then chrome wheels will look impressive.
• Durability – Poor protection against corrosion and high temperature influences.
• Other characteristics – The chrome plating process is highly toxic.

Powder coating provides optimal coverage of the discs. It is superior to other types in durability and protection of metal from corrosion and adverse environmental influences. Being in the middle price segment (only acrylic is cheaper), polymer paints can extend the life of parts. For more information about powder coating rims, please visit the Powder Coating Wheels page.

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.

Set for safe painting of wheels

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.

Reading time: 9 minutes

Car owners pay special attention to the condition of the car. Therefore, to improve the appearance of wheel products, car enthusiasts buy dyes, clean the structures from dirt, and polish them using a special machine. Even if the body is clean and new, scratched, chipped or dented wheel designs always look ugly. Therefore, to give the perfect appearance, you need to paint the wheels in a suitable color. Smooth coatings will shine and reflect light.

Graphite wheels

Each car owner tries to show individuality to one degree or another, because a ready-made solution is purchased along with the vehicle. Today there are many methods by which upgrading a car is not difficult. Elegant graphite colored discs are one such modern method.

Graphite bases are essentially black with a matte effect. Due to the absence of shiny components and the velvety effect, their surface acquires classic restraint.

Other types

Fashion has had an impressive influence on car wheels, and in stores you can find a wide range of different types and models. Long gone are the days when this part was considered just a standard spare part for a car. Today it is an important component of tuning any vehicle.

That is why modern manufacturers are ready to please car owners with a huge variety of these elements - forged, chrome-plated, branded, made of durable steel, with a matte finish, polished, and the like. Such diversity can make even an experienced specialist’s head spin.

Today, when cars can move at breakneck speeds, there is a strict requirement for the wheel base - strength. Taking this into account, in industrial conditions these elements are made stamped, cast and forged. If you wish, you can simply paint the metal base or purchase special inserts and overlays. Recently, there have been plenty of such attributes on sale; the main thing is to choose the appropriate color palette to match the tone of the car.

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 does it offer?

To choose wheels for your car quickly and accurately, you should contact our tuning studio. You will save a lot of time, receive guarantees and competent advice on further operation. Our advantages:

• Using only professional equipment that allows you to comply with all the details of the technological process.
• Wide palette of colors (up to 1000 options), auto designer services.
• Strict adherence to deadlines.
• Professional preparation for coloring. The use of fine sandblasting ensures careful handling of the metal structure. We use masking, which allows us to preserve the necessary inscriptions and logos.
• A complex approach. If defects are identified before painting, we offer prompt elimination, which has little effect on the deadlines.
• Flexible pricing policy, allowing you to get significant discounts subject to constant cooperation.

Wheels painted by Tuningberg are perfectly matched to the color of the car, are no different from the factory version and have a 3-year warranty on the coating .

Number of paint containers

Spray paint

How many cans of paint are needed to paint wheels?

On a note.

As practice shows, you can use just one container to paint four circles. For the primer you will need to prepare 3-4 cylinders.

It is very important to take into account the advice of professionals:

• Restoring the original color of the structure is carried out using a special dye. It is not recommended to purchase substitutes or similar liquids.
• You should not listen to advice that, for example, you can paint the wheels without removing them from the car. If these structures are not removed, then there is a possibility that paint will get on a certain part of the calipers.
• Rubber may remain on the product itself.
• The final process - after applying the coloring agent to the structure, you can spread a little varnish.
• It is advisable to purchase primer, paint and varnish of the same brand. This way you can avoid compatibility problems. For those who have doubts about the color, you can conduct a test painting of the rims. To do this, you should select a small piece of metal and start working, following all the technologies.
• Cleaning of cast structures is carried out with sandpaper. In this option, it is not recommended to use a drill with a brush. Otherwise, the aluminum metal may be damaged.