Sooner or later, many car owners think about how to paint their rims. It is not surprising, since these elements of the vehicle are constantly subject to massive attack by adverse road factors. Wheel painting is needed to renew them, remove scratches and chips, or change the color. The technology for carrying out the work is not complicated; it will be discussed further.
What is required to paint wheels?
Painting of car rims can be either local or complete. In this case, independent updating can be carried out using various materials, for example, varnish or enamel, plastidip, matte or glossy film. Aquaprint technology is also gaining popularity, with which you can apply any pattern or design to car rims.
Painting wheels with enamel or varnish is a classic way to give parts a decent appearance. More often they are painted in one color, for example, many people like to use varnish or paint with flakes (sparkles). You can also update the rims in two shades using tape or stencils.
The surface is usually coated with varnish as the last layer, applying it to the dried enamel. This will increase the protective functions of the coating. When using varnish, use matte or glossy varieties.
The classic technology of painting car rims consists of several stages:
- cleansing and washing;
- sanding with sandpaper and machine or sandblasting;
- puttying, if necessary, to repair uneven areas;
- primer;
- direct painting with enamel and varnish.
Required Tools
Companies specializing in this field, before painting the disc, remove the old paint coating from its surface using sandblasting machines, and then use powder paint and a special varnish. The whole process in this case is automated and is not suitable for home use.
If the decision has been made and the painting will be done on your own, then you need to stock up on the following tools and materials.
- Fine and medium sandpaper, grit 400-630 and 63-80 microns. It will be stripped of the old paintwork.
- Solvent or white spirit, which will be used as a degreaser for the cleaned surface.
- Destroyer for old paint, as well as a brush or brush for applying it.
- Spray cans of paint (2-3 pieces) and special varnish.
- Primer and spatula.
- Masking tape.
In addition, you will, of course, need cleaning supplies, a respiratory mask and work clothes. This necessary minimum can be picked up in any specialized store or car market.
Traditional dyeing method
To update the discs with paint and varnish, prepare a sander or drill with attachments, primer and acrylic paint in cans of the same brand, sandpaper of various grain sizes, degreaser, sponges for washing, rags and water. If you plan to apply the paint yourself without removing the rubber, then the adjacent areas of the tire should be covered with masking tape.
Preparation
Wash the discs thoroughly with a brush and detergent, then clean the surface using a drill with special attachments or manually using sandpaper. You need to start with a coarser one, gradually reducing the grain size from 200 to 600. And do not forget to periodically wash off the resulting paint debris with water.
Then fill in the existing unevenness of the old discs with putty, let it dry and sand with fine-grained paper to level the surface.
Application of primer and paint
After grinding and leveling the discs, they need to be degreased, for which it is permissible to use 646 solvent. Then, from a distance of 20-30 cm, starting from the center of the part, the primer is carefully and evenly applied. This needs to be done in three layers, giving each layer the opportunity to dry, and it is better to dry the last one with a hairdryer or simply leave it for a longer time, for example, for a day.
Afterwards, paint is sprayed in the same way, but unlike primer, you can limit yourself to two layers. When the enamel is dry, the surface should be coated with varnish in 1-2 layers.
It is better to remember the brand and number of the paint used in case you need local repair of the disks.
This method is simple and inexpensive. Next, we will consider other methods by which discs can be painted. This is processing with plastidip, film and aquaprint technique.
How to choose materials and accessories
Complex painting complexes with compressors, dryers, and spray guns are good when available. At home, you can get a decent result if you paint alloy wheels with a spray can. Modern paints adhere well and provide decorative effects for a long time.
All consumables must be purchased with some reserve for possible experiments with layer thickness.
Not much is required:
- sanding sandpaper (of varying degrees of grit);
- degreasing solvent;
- putty (rough and finishing);
- universal primer;
- lint-free wipes;
- enamel paint.
It is better to purchase the entire set from one supplier and from one product line of the manufacturer. The TopDetal.ru online store offers to buy aerosol paints for car wheels at a low price, as well as related products with delivery throughout Russia.
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.
Is it possible to paint alloy wheels yourself?
Wheels are often tested for strength on the road. The paintwork is especially affected: in summer, chips and microcracks form, in winter, aggressive reagents destroy the protective film.
If the product is deformed and cannot be repaired, it is better to buy alloy wheels in an online store. Otherwise, you can try to restore the original appearance. In car services, the price tags are quite high. Why not try to become a painter yourself?
The idea of doing paint work on a car yourself scares many people away. And in vain! There is nothing prohibitive about this - no special knowledge or skills are needed, just be careful and attentive.
To be sure, you can first practice on an unnecessary piece of metal, evaluate the result and work on mistakes.
Aquaprint: fashionable innovation
Painting car rims using so-called water printing, or aquaprint technology, is gaining momentum in popularity. Largely due to the speed of application of any pattern and the high quality of the coating, as evidenced by the reviews of many car owners and tuning enthusiasts. Aquaprint is used not only for painting car rims, but also for changing the appearance of absolutely any body parts, interior elements and other items, for example, motorcycle helmets.
If you have an idea to apply a textured or camouflage pattern, imitation of skin or animal color to the discs, then aquaprint is what you need.
The technology for applying such a coating is as follows:
- water of a certain temperature and hardness is poured into the container;
- a special film with an image is spread on its surface;
- the pattern is sprayed with activator;
- the part is smoothly and accurately immersed in water.
Preparatory work
First of all, you will have to completely remove the peeling paint layer. To do this, first, you should wash off the old paint by applying a paint remover with a brush. Next, you need to wait about a quarter of an hour, after which the paint will begin to swell and come off, which will allow us to remove it with a spatula. This remover does not work as effectively on the soil layer, so you should get rid of it with sandpaper.
On the cleaned surface, you can leave some of the old soil in hard-to-reach places. However, you must make sure that it is held securely on the disk. If you are painting the rim of an unmounted wheel, the contour of the rim over the rubber should be sealed with masking tape. This will save you from subsequent washing of the tire, which, one way or another, will get paint components. The last stage of preparation is degreasing the surface of the disc with a solvent or White Spirit.
Film: inexpensive and beautiful
Painting car rims with film is, like waterprint, a relatively new way to change their appearance and protect them from surface damage. The main material used for this is vinyl, which has a wide variety of colors and can also imitate carbon fiber. Matte film for rims is no less popular.
A 100% guarantee of high-quality film coating of rims can only be provided by the work of specialists who professionally deal with vinyl and, in addition to wrapping, can choose the design and color for a car using a computer program. If you decide to update the wheels yourself, then take the time to study master classes on this topic and try to choose good material and tools.
Selection of materials
As for the choice of paint, varnish and primer, things are as follows. Automotive enamel will be the best option for painting wheels. It is advisable to choose a heat-resistant one, which also sprays like an aerosol. It is sold in cans. You can also use heat-resistant enamel in jars, but to apply it evenly you will need a spray gun, which is an extra expense. Many people believe that only basic colors (silver, black and white) are produced for these purposes and are mistaken. There are no restrictions, and the widest palette of paints is available on the market. Choose the tone and shade that your soul desires. Primer and varnish should be purchased along with paint. Most manufacturers offer some kind of kit, where all three components come in one line. Thus, they all fit harmoniously, and you will save time on searching and selecting components. It is desirable that the soil is also heat-resistant. The varnish will perform a protective function for the new coating, and also give the disc shine. The disc can be painted completely (front and back surfaces, as well as the rim) or only on the outside. In the latter case, restoration will cost approximately:
- 2 cans of paint.
- 1 can of primer.
- 1 can of varnish.
If you paint the entire disc, then the consumption of materials, and therefore costs, will increase by 3-4 times. Now decide for yourself whether it’s worth it or not.
Painting and varnishing
Before using varnish and paint, carefully read the instructions for use of these materials, as drying time for liquids may vary depending on the manufacturer.
Dried and primed diks must be placed on polyethylene so that during painting, dust and dirt do not stick to them. The technology for applying paint is the same as for primer - we start from the inside of the product and then move to the outside. Apply 2-3 layers of paint, leaving the surface to dry for 15 minutes after each procedure. After that, wait 20-25 minutes and use the varnish. After the first application of varnish, it is necessary to check the surface of the discs for unevenness. If you find them, then go over them with fine sandpaper. Next, all that remains is to apply the final layer of varnish and wait until the product is completely dry (6-7 days). This completes the restoration of the discs.
