Home » Varnishes and paints

Do-it-yourself painting of wheels - step-by-step instructions

Car owners love to decorate their cars; one way to make a car stand out from others is to create original rims. For this purpose, you can resort to coloring them. Wheels attract attention if they look unusual and stylish. Details about the paint products that can be chosen for wheels and the rules for painting wheels will be discussed below.

Why do you need to paint alloy wheels?

Painting the casting has not only a decorative function; the paint also helps to protect the wheels from negative factors. Therefore, when painting car or motorcycle rims, it is necessary to choose a suitable composition that will withstand constant loads so that the layer does not crack or fall off. If the layer falls off, then rust will appear in this place over time, and the external design will no longer be beautiful.

The following are important reasons to paint wheels:

  • Salty material that road services sprinkle on the road during the cold season. When sand, salt and snow are mixed, the conditions for the wheels become negative. Discs are in a special risk zone; sometimes noticeable changes on their surface appear after two winter seasons. At the moment there is no effective remedy for protection against this factor;
  • Country roads are expensive, such coatings also have a bad effect on the integrity of the disc surface. The presence of small particles and stones in the soil base leads to damage to the material, which contributes to the formation of rust and oxidation of the metal base. As a result, scratches appear and the appearance of the painted layer becomes unsightly;
  • Significant temperature changes. Coloring allows you to avoid distortion of the disc size under the influence of temperature changes; this phenomenon is not uncommon in our country. As a result, the paint will fall off.

Alloy wheels also require painting.

These reasons explain the need to paint the disk elements. Specialists will cope with the task without any problems, but their services are not cheap. For this reason, you can learn how to paint alloy wheels yourself. If you adhere to technology, you can carry out the process correctly at home.


Painting the casting has not only a decorative function; the paint also helps to protect the wheels from negative factors.

Read also:  Choosing a color for the facade of a house: tips for choosing, basic principles of choice and secrets of using facade paint (100 photos)

Varieties

There are several main types of paint:

  • nitroenamel "NTs-221". This hammer-effect enamel is the cheapest variety, but its role is limited to creating a decorative look. Used when working with interior decoration. It is worth considering that it is subject to corrosion and is afraid of moisture;
  • “ML-165” paint is produced with the addition of a styrene and alkyd base. The enamel can withstand high temperatures and tolerates even 130°C. Increased adhesion to most materials has made it popular for interior and exterior applications. The manufacturer allows painting for rust;
  • EP-1323 enamel is made from epoxy resin. Used as a dye and primer. Provides thermal protection and prevents corrosion. More often used for processing metal doors, cars, for coating forged products, etc.
  • Hammerite paint. The main disadvantage is the high price. The substance is produced in England. During the painting process, the composition also acts as a primer. When the mixture dries, a film is formed to protect the metal elements of the case from oxidation. Based on silicone and alkyd resins. It is not advisable to paint with a spray gun. The main advantage is a wide range of applications, the product can even be applied to rust.

HAMMERITE gray hammer enamel 0.75 kg

Advantages

There are really many advantages to painting with hammer paint:

  • corrosion resistance;
  • withstands a wide range of temperatures and is not afraid of sudden changes;
  • repels water;
  • can be applied directly to rust;
  • high polymerization rate, the aerosol version of the enamel hardens especially quickly;
  • durability of the coating, the car body will be protected from rust for 8 years;
  • does not contain harmful substances;
  • creates a durable coating;
  • absolute safety for humans, can be applied even indoors;
  • extraordinary effect;
  • prevents body contamination;
  • eliminates minor irregularities on the surface; after treatment, various scratches and paint chips will not be visible;
  • if there are chips on the body, there is no need to remove the entire layer, you can only treat the damaged area;
  • vibration resistance, which is especially important for car enamel;
  • no sharp unpleasant odor;
  • coloring is carried out using various tools.

Hammer enamel for rust Alpina brown

Flaws

There are disadvantages, but they are much smaller:

  • increased consumption and price;
  • cannot be removed with abrasives or solvents;
  • requires skill to apply using a spray gun.

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.

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:

Read also:  How and with what to paint the inside of a wooden house? Water-based varnishes and odorless paints for wood. Impregnating oils and waxes for wood
  • 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.

Consumables and tools

To carry out the painting process efficiently, you need to prepare the necessary equipment and materials in advance. Then the process will not be disrupted and it will be easier to distribute the paint evenly. The list includes:

  • Base degreaser;
  • Sander;
  • Soft cloth and detergent;
  • Sandpaper, size 200-600;
  • Putty solution, paints and varnish;
  • Paper, masking tape;
  • The master must wear protective equipment - clothing and a respirator.


To carry out the painting process efficiently, you need to prepare the necessary equipment and materials in advance.

What do you need for work?

Each motorist has his own requirements for the exterior of a car. Some will be satisfied with simply touching up the details with acrylic from a spray can, while others prefer the perfect treatment. Therefore, when preparing everything necessary for painting, you need to start from this factor.


What you need to paint wheels

Equipment

Different types of equipment can be used for painting, including:

  • construction hair dryer (helps speed up the drying process of the applied paint);
  • electric drill. Used to clean metal surfaces from corrosion. Along with the drill, you need to prepare special attachments;
  • spray gun. Required for those motorists who want to get a perfect painted surface;
  • wire pendant. It will be used for painting and drying of discs. You can easily make such a pendant yourself.


Equipment for painting wheels
It is pointless to use a spray gun with a compressor for painting without having any experience working with it. With the right approach, you can get a good result using an aerosol can. The main thing is to choose quality paint.


Equipment for painting wheels with powder paint

Tools and materials

To paint your car's rims yourself, you need to take care of the following in advance:

  • respirator;
  • latex gloves;
  • clean rag;
  • solvent;
  • fine-grained sandpaper;
  • varnish;
  • degreaser;
  • primer for metal;
  • dye.


Tools and materials for painting wheels

Note! When choosing paint and primer for stamping or casting, it is advisable to give preference to products from one manufacturer. This way the paintwork materials will be more compatible.

Pros and cons of painting castings and spray stamping

The use of aerosol paint is becoming more popular when repairing cars. The reason is that there is no need to purchase a spray bottle, which you also need to know how to use correctly. In addition to setting up the tool, you need to maintain the required distance to the surface and apply the product evenly at the desired angle. You also need to dilute the paint to the required consistency for the spray gun.

The can is immediately ready for use; it only needs to be shaken well first. However, only expensive compounds can give high-quality results. Cheap types usually don't do the job up to par.

In addition to the quality of the paint, the release of the composition from the aerosol also plays a role, so that the paint is distributed evenly and without smudges. A reusable coating is made; the layers must dry well before applying a second one. The spray pressure is low, which is not the case when working with a spray gun. Also, the pressure level during operation will change.

Read also:  How you can get green color and its top 8 shades when mixing paints

Covering all wheels may require more spray. As a result, savings may become insignificant.


The can is immediately ready for use; it only needs to be shaken well first.

Final preparation

The next stage of preparing the rims for painting is degreasing and covering with masking tape. If the tires have not been removed from the wheels, then they must be protected from contact with primer and paint. To do this, it is most convenient to use masking tape, newspaper or plastic film. The entire tire is covered with the specified materials and fixed in a suspended state.

Degreasing plays an important role in preparing wheels for painting. If this step is skipped, the applied primer will not fully perform its function. It will not provide the required adhesion and the applied paint will not hold as firmly as it should.

For degreasing, you can use various solvents, alcohol or gasoline. The ideal option would be to use the same composition that will be used to dilute the primer and paint. This is guaranteed to protect against a negative reaction of painting materials to a non-native solvent.

Types of paints and technologies for tuning/restoring wheels

Before painting the wheels, a suitable composition is selected. There are several types of paint and varnish products that can cope with the task of protecting and giving a beautiful appearance to the discs.


Before painting the wheels, a suitable composition is selected.

Acrylic paint

Acrylic-based products can be used with different substrates; they can also paint over aluminum with high quality. There are options in cans and cylinders. The variety of colors makes acrylic paint popular. There are other advantages of the product:

  • Possibility to combine shades;
  • Surface protection;
  • The durability of the discs themselves increases;
  • Fast drying time, approximately 20 minutes;
  • Reasonable price.


Acrylic-based products can be used with different substrates; they can also paint over aluminum with high quality.

Rubber paint

This type is suitable for different substrates and can give a matte or glossy finish. It is distinguished by its quick-drying properties, high level of strength and it is easy to remove the layer. The disadvantages are high consumption and low level of resistance to mechanical shocks compared to the acrylic type.


It is distinguished by its quick-drying properties, high level of strength and it is easy to remove the layer.

Powder paint

Powder paint is characterized by the complexity of polymerization; it is necessary to create the desired temperature regime, usually drying is carried out in a special chamber. In everyday life, this option is difficult to implement. But the protective functions of the product are high. The layer withstands most negative environmental factors.


Powder paint is characterized by the difficulty of polymerization; it is necessary to create the desired temperature regime.

Glowing paint

Luminous compositions work due to the presence of a phosphor, which accumulates light during the day; the duration of the glow depends on the size of the fractions. The smaller size ensures the glow lasts longer.

There are ready-made paints, or you can add a phosphor to the varnish, the amount is 1 to 5. To get the desired shade, you can resort to dyes.

In addition to the type of paint, it is important to choose what color to paint the wheels. The black version is universal and looks stylish. But for unusualness, you can use bright shades, or resort to multi-color dyeing. Chrome parts are popular.


Glowing compounds work due to the presence of a phosphor, which accumulates light during the day.

Popular tire models

How to paint wheels correctly

We paint wheels ourselves when we need to save on repairs. The coloring process and its complexity will depend on the type of composition chosen. Therefore, you should learn the intricacies of working with popular paints for self-use.


The coloring process and its complexity will depend on the type of composition chosen.

Painting with liquid rubber

Liquid rubber is easy to work with; it’s easy to get an even layer with it; it levels itself out. The painting process is as follows:

  1. The disks need to be cleaned thoroughly.
  2. High-quality drying is carried out.
  3. The surface is degreased.
  4. Drying again.
  5. Layers are applied step by step, usually 4-5 layers are done.
  6. Each layer must dry, the time is indicated on the packaging.


Liquid rubber is easy to work with; it’s easy to get an even layer with it; it levels itself out.

Painting with acrylic paints

Using acrylic-based paint gives a durable result that stands out for its brightness and beauty. It is necessary to carefully prepare the base; the whole process is carried out in stages:

  1. The old layer of paint is removed.
  2. The imperfections are sanded and puttied.
  3. A degreaser is applied and dried.
  4. Apply two layers of primer.
  5. The base is degreased again.
  6. After drying, the surface is painted in 1-2 layers.
  7. The dried surface is varnished.


Using acrylic-based paint gives a durable result that stands out for its brightness and beauty.

Preparatory stage

Preparation is necessary to get rid of old paint and remove any defects that have appeared on the discs. Sanding and applying putty are carried out to level the base. The drying time of the putty solution depends on the temperature. The packaging indicates the period at +20-25 degrees.


Sanding and applying putty are carried out to level the base.

Application of primer

Soil is necessary to ensure reliable adhesion of materials. First, the base is matted, then epoxy primer is applied. The surface is matted again, and the dried discs are covered with acrylic primer.

When the layers are dry, sand the base. First with coarse-grain sandpaper, then with medium-grain sandpaper.


Soil is necessary to ensure reliable adhesion of materials.

Painting

The surface is painted as standard. It is important to set up the spray gun correctly and shake the can well. The first jet of aerosol is applied to the side. It is advisable to practice applying the product to the surface in advance. The number of layers is 2-3. The drying time for each product is checked on the packaging of the product.


It is important to set up the spray gun correctly and shake the can well.

Primer

The degreased and cleaned surface must be primed. To do this, you need to start applying the primer first to the inner surface of the product, and then move on to the outer part.

Advice! While spraying, shake the primer canister periodically.

To ensure that the repair (painting) of discs is carried out efficiently, try not to rush. The primer must be applied evenly, while holding the container with liquid at a distance of 25-30 cm from the surface. After you have applied the primer, let the disc dry and repeat the procedure (2-3 coats will be enough). In order not to wait long after each application of primer, you can use a regular hair dryer. In any case, it is better to start painting the wheels only the next day.

About security measures

The manufacturer prescribes safe working conditions in the instructions. The master must protect himself with gloves and a respirator. You can also wear safety glasses. Stay close to people and animals should not be allowed.

Read also:  How I almost threw 150k down the drain or the story of installing fresh air ventilation in an apartment


The master must protect himself with gloves and a respirator.

You can paint the wheels yourself, but it is important to choose high-quality paint. If you prepare the base carefully, the painted layer will be reliable and beautiful.

Step-by-step cleaning instructions

If you are doing a general wash, water pressure can be used to clean the lower part of the car from dirt and deposits. But at the same time, the remains of brake dust, tar and tar from the road will not be washed away even under very strong water pressure.

The first stage is cleaning the dirt, it is better to do this with water pressure using a special nozzle or simply by clamping the end of the hose.

A special cleaning agent must be applied to the disc, cleaned of dirt and large debris. Pay special attention to hard-to-reach places. Leave the solution for at least 3 minutes to make it easier to remove remaining dirt.

Using a car cleaning brush, brush the surface without scratching it. Try to cover all elements, including hard-to-reach ones. You can use an old toothbrush to get into all the corners.

Rinse the disc, check that there is no dried product and wipe the surface with a cloth. Using sealants you can add shine and create an additional protective layer.

The main reasons for rapid plate wear

State license plates are always in the field of view of traffic police inspectors. They identify the vehicle.

The unique alphanumeric combination contains basic information:

  • in the lower right corner the country where the car is registered is indicated in Latin letters and the national flag is depicted;
  • above is the region code;
  • On the left side there are 3 digits of the number and 3 letters of the sign series.

License plates are manufactured in accordance with GOST R 50577-93 and are installed in strictly defined areas of the body. At the same time, military equipment, vehicles of diplomatic missions, vehicles of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, route vehicles, towed devices have their own format of plates.

The standard determines the size of the cans, height, width of characters, and degree of readability.

Marker for car number

Readability is defined as follows:

  • At night, all signs on the rear plate must be visible from a distance of 20 m. Otherwise, if the license plates on your car are erased, the traffic police officer will issue a warning, and in the worst case, you will lose 500 rubles according to the police report. The basis for the fine is part 1 of Art. 12.2 “Code of Administrative Offences”.
  • If during the day, from the same distance, the inspector does not recognize at least one character on the front and rear plates, the number is also classified as unreadable.

Reasons why paint peels off:

  • Natural aging and wear and tear due to high mileage of the car. The more kilometers the car drives, the more the symbols are erased, the more difficult it is to recognize the number from a distance.
  • Place of operation. In “refined” urban conditions, body elements wear out less, in contrast to the mode when the vehicle runs on off-road or unpaved surfaces.
  • Mechanical shocks. In collisions with obstacles or accidents, the sign peels off and bends.
  • Aggressive external environment. Precipitation, dirt, sand, and anti-ice agents accelerate the peeling of the inscription. After two or three years, the owner is faced with the question: what to do in order not to break the law when the license plates on the car have been erased.
  • Unscrupulous production of signs. This is what drivers who receive duplicate license plates face. Private companies that have permission to produce signs use low-quality materials: sometimes even the first rain can erase the symbols.

The rooms, covered with snow and ice, are vigorously rubbed with a rag, a scraper, and poured with hot water. As a result, they end up with the same problem: what to do to restore the car’s license plates if the inscriptions have been erased. Meanwhile, there is a solution, and more than one.

Rating
( 1 rating, average 4 out of 5 )
Did you like the article? Share with friends:
You may also be interested
Painting furniture at home
Painting wooden furniture with your own hands - step-by-step instructions
Chalk paint: what is it and how is painting furniture and walls done? Step-by-step instructions on how to make it yourself
Painted stamping
Do-it-yourself rim painting: we paint car rims ourselves. Step-by-step guide for beginners (75 photos)
Do-it-yourself rim painting: we paint car rims ourselves. Step-by-step guide for beginners (75 photos)
Do-it-yourself vinyl siding installation, step-by-step instructions
Cone-shaped cap
How to make a canopy for a chimney pipe with your own hands - step-by-step instructions
Do-it-yourself toilet renovation. Renovation ideas. Step-by-step instruction
Metal siding production
Installation of metal siding - step-by-step instructions for do-it-yourself installation
How to paint plastic windows with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
How to properly glue wide meter-long vinyl wallpaper with your own hands
How to properly glue wide meter-long vinyl wallpaper with your own hands: step-by-step instructions, video
Partitions in the apartment
How to make a partition in a room with your own hands: step-by-step instructions
Siding installer
Siding installation: step-by-step instructions for covering a house with your own hands
For any suggestions regarding the site: [email protected]
Для любых предложений по сайту: [email protected]