Instructions for painting stamped car wheels with your own hands

Typically, stamped steel wheels are painted with acrylic paint. It can be either matte or glossy. Sometimes drivers use nitro paint, liquid rubber, alkyd-melamine suspensions, and powder compounds. All of the listed paints are sold in the store in the form, some (except for powder) - in aerosol cans.

To paint car rims, you must first select the right primer. For example, acrylic paint will adhere well if you use a universal type acrylic primer.

In many countries, the use of nitrogen-based material is prohibited. This is why it is better to use acrylic paint. When choosing a primer, you should strive to ensure that its shade is similar to the color of the coloring composition.

To paint wheel rims at home, you should not use powder paint. To work with it, you must have special equipment, as well as certain experience.

How to paint stamped car wheels with your own hands

Steel wheels of passenger cars are quite durable parts. A steel disk made by stamping cannot become unusable over time. The only thing is that with prolonged use the paint gradually scratches. To prevent rust from forming, the discs are replaced or repainted. We talk about how to paint stamped wheels in the next chapter. Enjoy reading.

Enamel coating

This option is the most accessible. Its main advantage is the rapid renewal of the outer surface of the disk and the restoration of its attractive appearance.

The industry produces enamels of various types. It can be applied directly to old paint, without prior preparation. A huge range of different shades allows you to find the most suitable color. The following shades are very popular among motorists:

The advantage of the compositions in aerosol cans is their excellent anti-corrosion properties. This is especially true when taking into account that the weakest protection of the stamped disk from all kinds of mechanical damage can be called the most vulnerable point.

All stages of preparation

It is clear that it is best to clean the disc “to the metal” before painting. In this case, only sandpaper (ISO P400-P1500) and, perhaps, a drill with a metal brush are used.

This is how you remove a layer of old paint

The problem is that such cleaning will take more than one day. But the result will please you with its appearance:

Fully cleaned steel disc

In order not to waste time, the surface is only cleaned of rust, then sanded and degreased. The “old paint” remains. This option is also considered acceptable. Let us list the stages of preparation “step by step”:

1. Thoroughly rinse the disc with water. To simplify the task, use a brush;
2. Mechanical rust removal;
3. If necessary, you can use a rust converter: apply the product, leave it for 2 hours, then grind the surface and clean it. You cannot use water!
4. Degreasing (white spirit or solvent 646 is suitable);
5. Applying putty if the wheel has obvious defects.
6. Apply two layers of primer with an interval of 20 minutes.

The last step is to use a universal acrylic primer. These products are sold in aerosol packaging.

Note that phosphoric acid can act as a rust converter. And if the finishing layer is applied, it takes a day to dry the soil.

It is important to know: once a mark has been made on the metal with sandpaper, water should not touch the surface in principle. Use organic solvents for cleaning.

The priming itself is a dress rehearsal for the painting process. To simplify these “processes”, the disk can be installed on an inverted bucket. The rim is then painted by turning the disc with the desired side facing you. As you can see, everything is simple.

You may have to work with sandpaper after applying the primer. Sanding with P1500 sandpaper is carried out before painting, which is mandatory.

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.

Painting process

So we got to the most important thing. Let's look at how to properly paint stamped wheels so that you don't have to redo everything from scratch later. In principle, there is nothing complicated in this process:

Applying paint to the rim

Of course, not everyone has a spray gun, nor does everyone have special equipment. Therefore, an upside down bucket, unnecessary tires, etc. will help again. The main thing is to be smart, as the author of this photo did:

Homemade equipment for disks

Also, it is advisable to follow these tips:

• When using an aerosol, the can must be shaken periodically;
• The temperature of the aerosol package should not be too low: 30-35 degrees is the norm;
• Keep the aerosol at a distance of 20 cm from the surface (no less);
• When painting, you should not stay in one place for a long time, otherwise streaks will form.

The paint is applied in two or three layers, maintaining an interval of 10 minutes. An hour after painting, the surface is treated with varnish. You can use the finished product within a day. But it’s better to wait 60-80 hours – during this time the varnish gains maximum strength.

Preparatory work

At the very beginning, you should check the general condition of the stamped product. Because it will be a shame if a beautiful painted disc does not correspond to the geometric parameters. Accordingly, you should first go to a service station and undergo balancing. Identified defects or small holes are immediately eliminated and welded. However, it is better not to bring stamping to this state, since a deformed product is quite difficult to restore and give it a beautiful appearance.

After this, you need to choose whether to remove the wheel and tire for painting work. Some enthusiasts perform this process, but it wastes extra time. Experienced experts recommend using regular masking tape and paper to cover the wheel from paint. Basically, the tire needs to be removed when there are pockets of rust on the metal. Directly for painting, the rubber is covered with polyethylene, which is glued with masking tape.

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:

1. The higher the air temperature, the faster drying occurs;
2. The color of the primer should approximately match the color of the paint;
3. 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.

Hub like a lathe

There is a method that allows you to quickly paint the rim:

1. Let's say there is rust on the surface of the rim. To find out about this, you will have to disassemble the disk (Fig. 1);
2. Next, the disk is mounted on the hub, the engine is started and the gear is engaged (Fig. 2);
3. If you are using a left-hand hub, turn the steering wheel to the left, and vice versa;
4. Using cloth-based sandpaper, sanding is carried out (Fig. 3). It is better to fix the sandpaper on a block;
5. Just as “preparation” was done in step 4, painting can be done (Fig. 4).

Source of the article: https://lifanovod.ru/kak-pokrasit-shtampovannye-diski-avtomobilya-svoimi-rukami/

Types of paints and technologies for tuning/restoring wheels

As it turns out, for every professional company there are five offices that fulfill orders thoughtlessly, which you may not even suspect. Well, it’s pointless to talk about the benefits of the material for home use: it’s necessary, period.

So, let's begin. There are four techniques for painting rims and, accordingly, four types of paints:

• Powder coating. After applying the powder to a metal surface, the part is sent to a special oven, where at high temperatures the powder melts and hardens, forming a paintwork. This technique is loved primarily for the high resistance of the resulting layer to scratches and aggressive reagents. Among the shortcomings is shagreen, barely noticeable from a close distance, but still there.
• Liquid rubber (Plasti Dip). From the name you can guess that the technology is based on the use of rubber-based paints. The equipment is positioned more as a protective or tuning device, with the possibility of unhindered rollback back to the factory state. Relevant for new cars/wheels.

• Acrylic enamel. Factory paintwork is formed using acrylic paints and acrylic varnishes. This technique is characterized by simplicity, resistance to scratches and damage, excellent glossy or matte finish and fast drying. You can spray it either from a spray can or with a spray gun.
• Alkyd paint. A budget option for painting wheels from a spray can. Not durable, not scratch resistant, not recommended for use.

How are steel products painted?

Gone are the days when painting stamped wheels with your own hands turned into a real ordeal, because it was almost impossible to get nitro enamel. Modern motorists have a completely different situation - they have access to not only traditional paints, but also alternative technological options:

• Powder paints create a reliable type of paint coating, but the technology for applying it is not as simple as it seems at first glance. To polymerize the surface of the paintwork, you need a heat chamber capable of raising the temperature to 200°C.
• Liquid rubber – is growing in popularity; the material is a rubber-containing mastic with a certain dye. The convenience of the coating is that it can be removed at any time.
• Acrylic enamels are the simplest option that car enthusiasts resort to when painting a car using a spray can in several layers. Well-laid enamel can last two to three years without loss.
• Alkyd-melamine paints have a wide range of colors; painting stock stamped wheels with your own hands is done mostly using a spray gun. The paint layer dries quickly, and the surface has high weather resistance and light resistance.

How to paint wheels correctly

Each of these technologies, like any other, is unique in its own way. Differences are felt even at the stage of preparing the surface for painting. So, for acrylic, alkyd and powder painting, the surface must be sandblasted or intensively sanded, and for liquid rubber, it is enough to remove wax, dirt, dust, grease stains and dry thoroughly.

• Powder coating is best done in special workshops.
• Liquid rubber and acrylic paint can be applied from a spray can at home.
• We still do not recommend applying alkyd enamel.

As a result, we have two directions for painting wheels in a garage: liquid rubber and acrylic paints. At the same time, keep in mind that Plasti Dip is recommended for new wheels, acrylic - for used ones.

Popular products

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 enamels for Motip discs, these 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.

As an epilogue: how to get a quality wheel painting service in a paint shop

Contacting the first office you come across is fraught with danger. Painting may not proceed correctly, and the disc may even be damaged due to overheating in the drying chamber. Therefore, dialogue comes first. Let's look at the little things that you should focus on when looking for a powder painting service, which is now especially popular:

• Painting time is at least two days.
• The number of sets to be painted at the same time is no more than two.
• Geometry correction - cold method.

Of course, during the meeting, topics about colors and technology should be raised. If it is convenient to look at a palette from a catalog, then it is better to get acquainted with the painting process directly in action - during a tour of the paint shop.

Keep the conversation constructive. The wording “do it as it was” or “I want this color” is completely inappropriate. During productive cooperation, it is customary to stipulate the following things:

• Job guarantees.
• Number of inclusions on the paintwork: on average, there are up to four “grains of sand” per disc, barely noticeable at close range. Demanding customers do not allow the presence of “grains of sand” on the front part of the wheel.
• No damage to bolt wells.
• Proper balancing.
• Cost of car storage service without disks per day, if provided.

Source of the article: https://autostadt.su/kak-krasit-kolesnye-diski/