Paint for wheels: top 5 products and do-it-yourself application at home

Wheel paint is designed to protect the base of a car wheel from an aggressive environment. Peculiarities of car operation also affect the condition of the discs; for this reason, chips, scratches, and bruises are a common occurrence. Below we talk about the advantages of painting, how exactly to paint the wheels, and what kind of paint and varnish to use for this.

What you need for work

You can tune the wheels on your car yourself if you follow the rules. To work, you will need the selected paint material and the necessary tools.

Tools, materials	Description
Sandpaper	Required for the disc cleaning stage, and will also be needed after priming and polishing
Respirator, gloves, tape	Protective suit for face and hands, as well as tape or film to cover tires
Construction hair dryer	Necessary at the drying stage, can be replaced with a warm gun
Sander	Necessary for the cleaning stage, helps remove traces of rust and corrosion
Spray gun	A spray gun will be needed when using liquid nitro enamel

If you choose the method of powder coating of paint, then for the work you need a baking oven, as well as a special gun with which to apply the powder. Devices for powdering can be made with your own hands from available materials.

Manufacturing discs on an industrial scale

When making new disks the situation is a little different.

The fact is that factories, mainly in foreign countries, mainly use powder coating of discs. You may ask, what about the temperature regime?

With the temperature in this situation, everything turns out to be normal.

When a new disc is made, it has a temperature of just 220 - 240 degrees, and while it is still warm, it is sent to the powder chamber and painted. It's that simple.

Step-by-step algorithm for painting at home

The process of painting discs consists of several stages. Each of them has features. Car painters claim that the most significant process remains the preparation stage. It involves sequential steps of stripping, removing old coating and creating a suitable surface for the finish coat. Preparatory work takes from 2 to 4 days. Painting takes 1 day. Drying lasts up to 4 days.

Preparatory work

The purpose of preparation is to strip the old coating and create a surface on which the selected paint and varnish material will lie in an even layer. To remove traces of corrosion or remove old coating, use a grinding machine. It can be replaced with an electric drill. The purpose of the equipment is to create a chip by which you can pick up the coating and remove it.

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Attention! After removing the coating, minor errors are thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper.

An important step in preparing discs is degreasing the surface. Treatment with a degreaser allows you to get a clean, flat surface on which any primer fits well. The degreaser is applied with a sponge, then the traces of treatment are erased with a dry, clean cloth. Degreasers can be purchased at stores that sell automotive parts. The market offers water-alcohol-based products or compositions made from organic solvents.

The next stage is priming. Priming is carried out only when the discs are scratched, chips or cracks are visible on them. If painting is carried out on a new casting for the purpose of color tuning, then priming can be avoided. The primer layer must be completely dry before further work, then it must be treated to remove roughness using sandpaper.

Actually painting

The painting process algorithm depends on the type of paint chosen. They prefer to process car wheels using aerosol cans. All compositions intended for repair are produced in cylinders of different sizes.

Before you start spraying paint, protect the tires with film and tape, covering the entire surface from different sides. Painting rules:

each subsequent coating is applied after the layer has completely dried, this takes from 20 to 60 minutes;
to cover the rims on both sides, it is recommended to use the technique of hanging tires from a support;
the process is interrupted to dry each layer;
After drying the final layer, polishing varnish is applied.

Drying

A stage that is artificially shortened by influencing the processed part. After applying the next layer, install a heat gun opposite the disc or blow the surface with a construction hairdryer.

Information! Final drying after polishing takes two days.

Types of car paints

Painting wheels is not only a decorative move, but also protection. Modern coatings can reliably protect metal from corrosion. There are several types of such paints, they all differ in composition and purpose.

Powder

Powder paints for painting wheels are popular among car enthusiasts due to their durability and high resistance to various types of influences. Among the serious advantages is the possibility of application to almost any type of titanium and steel discs.

The disadvantage of powder paints is the need for special equipment - the dye in powder form, according to the technology, must melt at a temperature of about 200 degrees. This is why powder technology is not suitable for aluminum - aluminum wheels can become deformed.

The painting technology involves cleaning the stamp from the old coating using sandblasting. Then the surface is thoroughly degreased, covered with primer and dye is applied in a special painting booth.

It will take at least a day for the paint to dry completely. It is possible to do such work in a garage with your own hands, but it is not profitable.

Acrylic

Acrylic paint works well for painting wheels. This option is the best choice. Using acrylic is very convenient, and you can apply it yourself - the dye is sold in an aerosol, but you can also work with a spray gun. You can paint discs with aerosol acrylic paint quickly and efficiently, and at the same time inexpensively.

Among the main advantages are complete protection of the surface from the effects of precipitation. Road reagents also cannot harm the painted surface in any way. But it must be borne in mind that acrylic has average durability.

Spray paint for wheels is chosen in most cases because of its affordable price and ease of use - the spray allows you to get high-quality results in the fastest possible time.

Before applying spray paint, be sure to treat the disc with abrasive materials. Next, the contents of the container are thoroughly mixed (the container must be shaken for three minutes) - this way, color uniformity is achieved. Then, without fail, do a test spraying on any other area; if the paint is sprayed well and evenly, you can apply it to the discs.

Compared to powder dyes, the advantage here is the ability to dry quickly - the painted surface dries in just 10 minutes. The choice of colors is also extensive; aerosol paint is available in any shade, but silver paint (chrome-like) is popular.

If you add a little phosphor to acrylic, you can get luminous paint - the wheels will glow in the dark, which will attract prying eyes. The brightness of the glow depends on how much the phosphor is “saturated” with light.

Rubber

Rubber paints are in great demand among those who like to highlight their car and tune it in every possible way. The reason for the great popularity of such coatings is their versatility. They can be used not only on metal, but also on plastic and glass. The coating can be either matte or glossy, this gives buyers the opportunity to choose what they want.

There is also rubber luminescent paint on sale that glows. The composition contains a special pigment - a phosphor, which accumulates light during the day and begins to emit it at night. This creates an interesting glowing effect.

Applying dye to cast wheels is very convenient. Spray rim aerosol paint in two or three thin layers. The surface will be smooth and even. The process may take an hour or more. In this case, priming the discs as a preparatory step can be skipped.

In the video: painting wheels with Plasti Dip liquid rubber.

Features of painting stamped discs with your own hands

Stamped wheels differ from cast wheels in their unpresentable appearance. Stamped parts are repainted independently to highlight the car and make the coating more attractive in appearance. Stamped discs are susceptible to rust, so it is recommended to coat them with compounds with high anti-corrosion properties.

Experienced motorists recommend chrome plating on stamped wheels. This is a way to give disks a presentable appearance using various types of aerosol paints. To do this, apply an aerosol with a “chrome effect” to a layer of black primer. The creation of the final coating is completed by varnishing.

Security measures

As a result of painting work, it is necessary to adhere to some safety measures:

protect the skin of the body from the harmful effects of chemical composition;
carry out painting work in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area;
work away from sources of ignition to prevent fire.

How to properly paint alloy wheels for a car using a spray can

Alloy wheels are spray painted in any chosen color. The effect of painting depends on how well the surface was prepared. Old castings that are covered with rust stains are recommended to be painted metallic. This is a modern tuning option suitable for any car.

Apply several layers from the can onto the primed surface of the disc, then leave until completely dry. A special feature of painting from cylinders is the precise adherence to the distance. The balloon is moved away from the part by 30-40 centimeters at an angle of 45 degrees.

The casting is painted in two colors. This method requires patience. Each layer of paint is dried, then construction tape is glued to the treated area, and another selected color is applied from a can or with a brush.

Dyeing process

Priming is carried out in 2-3 layers, and each one needs to be given time to dry (the interval will be 15 minutes). The next layer cannot be applied to a damp base. For painting you need a prepared base. If a spray gun is used, the nozzle is kept 40 cm from the disk. You can paint the rims with a brush; a small roller is also suitable for the job. You can avoid paint smudges if the applied layers are thin. When painting for the first time, it is worth practicing on a piece of metal. Depending on the volume of paint purchased, apply from two to four layers, each of them must dry. To improve the protective properties of the coloring composition, the treated surface is varnished. The final stage should begin half an hour after the last layer has dried. The inside of the disc is coated with varnish in one or two layers. The outside is treated twice.

Painting a disc with a spray gun

Painting wheels using a spray can

A simple method of painting light alloy, cast, and stamped wheels involves the use of aerosol paint. This product does not require dilution with thinners, and there is no need to add hardeners to it. Convenient cans just need to be shaken before use. If you have no experience, you need to practice spraying on another (unnecessary) surface. Then the paint will apply evenly, without drips or drips. The consumption of coatings depends on the shape of the sprayer. The round nozzle allows you to save paint material, the vertical torch increases the volume of paint required. Elements of a car wheel that do not need painting are covered with masking tape. You can use film or other available material that will not interfere with painting and will reliably protect the surface. During operation, the container must be shaken periodically (every 10-15 minutes in case of large volumes). The temperature in the room where painting is carried out should be 20 degrees. If it is lower, the drying process of the layers may be delayed. The preliminary stage when using other types of coatings is similar. Traces of rust need to be removed, for which you need a converter (for example, “Tsinkar”). The product is applied with a brush and left for two hours. The resulting zinc layer will protect against corrosion. You need to paint carefully, since there are a lot of hard-to-reach places on the disc. The varnish also comes in cans and can be sprayed on at the final stage. Using aerosols speeds up work. To achieve greater effect, the disc can be treated with polish.

Spray painting a disc

Types of auto varnishes

When choosing a coating, a car owner always wonders which car paint is best to choose. You need to know that car varnishes are divided according to the type of chemical composition and structural structure.

Types are divided by chemical composition:

water based. They are non-toxic, have no unpleasant odor, dry in a short period of time, and are not fire hazardous. They also have disadvantages - they are not durable, cannot be used at low temperatures;
acrylic varnishes. The composition includes glitter made of bronze, aluminum and dye. Acrylic-polyurethane type - contains polyurethane resin. Creates an opaque layer. Apply it in three layers every ten minutes. Complete drying occurs after 2 hours;
glypthal. Made from synthetic resins. Capable of spreading over the surface, filling every crack and crevice. They take a long time to dry and are demanding in maintaining the required temperatures and conditions that cannot be created in a regular garage.

Car varnishes are divided according to the type of chemical composition and structural structure

They are also divided according to their structural structure:

HS two-component car varnish differs in the composition of volatile and non-volatile substances in the solid mixture. This is a car varnish with a hardener. It accounts for 40% of 100 percent, 50% is varnish, and the last 10% is solvent;
two-component MS varnish. It contains more solvent than the previous one - up to half the composition. Dries quickly and is easy to apply. Application is carried out in two layers;
1 K. in this variety the amount of solvent is 50 percent. This is the most fluid varnish of all the above. Car varnish is produced in cans. It is used only when the car body needs to be given a decent look in a short time.

Popular car polish brands are:

BRULEX 2K-HS is a German high-quality car varnish. Requires heating of the parts to be applied up to 60 degrees. Not sold in aerosol cans.
BOSNY VG is a universal auto varnish. Gives old surfaces a renewed look.
PPG D800 – acrylic-polyurethane mixture. Using it with various additives, you can get a matte surface or a suede look.
Mobihel Anti-Scratch – two-component car varnish, acrylic. Features high transparency and scratch resistance;
Motip Clear Varnish – acrylic. UV resistant.

Matte car varnish is now popular. Consists of a special matting composition. Apply several times to the paint. After drying it becomes matte. It is considered more durable than regular, and does not require maintenance: just wipe with a cloth.

Varnishes are also divided according to their structural structure

Varnish coating

Varnished disc

The application of varnish completes the painting of the car's rims. We can say that this is the simplest stage. This coating must be applied twice. It is necessary to cover the disc with a second layer only after the first one has dried.

Varnishing is mandatory if the car owner wants the wheels to maintain the coating without damage for as long as possible. Once this step is completed, the discs must be allowed to dry for several days.