Types of paint for automobile rims and methods of its application

The brilliance and novelty of the rims give a special gloss to the whole car. This effect can be achieved not only when buying new discs, but also when repairing old ones. There is a special paint for car wheels, or rather, a whole series of paints, varnishes and enamels of various colors. Such paints and varnishes paint this important part of the machine.

Content:

• The need for painting discs
• Staining methods
• Types of car paints for disks
• Rubber paints
• Powder paints
• Acrylic paints
• Painting technology
• Necessary materials and equipment
• Preparation for work
• Staining process
• Use of paint in spray cans
• Security measures
• Tips & Tricks

The need for painting discs

Car rims (rims) often suffer when driving - they are the ones that undergo the greatest wear, scratching, and other types of mechanical and chemical damage. Various defects do not affect functionality, but greatly spoil the aesthetics of the car. The need for painting the surface of the disc may occur in such cases:

• too long service time, the presence of multiple chips;
• purchase of used discs;
• restoration after a serious defect;
• disc corrosion erosion with chemicals;
• multiple washes on pressure washers;
• upcoming off-road trips;
• getting into an accident;
• desire to highlight, decorate the car, give the wheels a more expensive look.

Also, applying a coloring agent to the rims is a good way to extend their working life, since the film will serve as a protection, protect it from chips, scratches. Under the paint layer, alloy wheels are not susceptible to corrosion, and plastic parts become much more attractive, repel dirt. In parallel with the coloring of the casting, brake calipers are tuned - usually in the main color chosen.

The choice of shade is carried out by the owner individually. Now it is possible to choose a dye from a huge range of colors. There are even luminous, luminescent paints. "Classics" among drivers are tinted under chrome, graphite, as well as silver and black paint. Colors can be matte and glossy, modest and bright - the range is great.

Staining methods

There are many technologies with which you can paint wheels on wheels. Which one is better? The choice will depend on the equipment of the workplace, the price category of paints, the presence or absence of experience. Not all methods are suitable for home use, some are available only to professionals.

Previously, motorists did painting stamped disks with ordinary paint - nitro enamel, oil, pentaphthalic enamel. Now they have been replaced by more modern, resistant paints and varnishes specifically for automobiles. The most popular are acrylic in cans or cans. Also, rims can be tuned using the following methods and means:

• applying a polymer (powder) coating;
• laying liquid rubber;
• chrome plating.

The latter method allows you to create a chromed disc that does not look different from the original, but the cost of such work is high, and the technique is complicated and requires a lot of experience from the master.There is a cheaper alternative - applying ordinary acrylic paint “under the chrome” with admixtures of special additives. It is sprayed galvanically or from cylinders.

Types of car paints for disks

Large manufacturers of car paints usually produce a full range of paints - rubber, acrylic, powder. The most popular brand remains Kudo (Kudo), the products are of high quality, durability. Paints eliminate small scratches, chipped discs and other auto parts, as they contain chemicals that increase wear resistance.

Another well-known brand is Motip (Motype), it has long been recognized as the best professionals in car repair and tuning. A number of paints are used for wheels and body, others are intended only for rims. Most of the paints of this brand are sold in spray cans, and it is characterized by low consumption.

Rubber paints

Liquid rubber, or rubber paint, has become popular due to its versatility. It is well suited for all types of discs - cast, steel stamping, forged, titanium, for plastic elements. Liquid caps cover even caps on wheels to give them a more beautiful appearance. This type of paint is glossy and matte.

The advantage of rubber coatings is its ability to harden quickly, forming a durable layer like rubber. A unique property is the ability to remove this layer at any time without damaging the surface and using special tools. The disadvantages are the high cost of paint due to the high consumption, as well as a greater susceptibility to scratches compared to acrylic enamel.

Powder paints

Powder paint has the highest protective properties. This paint and varnish copes with corrosion, the action of salts, alkalis, acids, reagents. The paint is not afraid of water, resistant to mechanical damage, does not fade, heat-resistant. It can be applied to titanium, steel, various alloys, except aluminum (they can be deformed).

The disadvantages of powdered formulations include the complexity of the application technology - they cannot be used at home. The method involves melting the product in a special chamber at a temperature of +200 degrees, followed by applying it to a sheet or disk, another product. In another way, the powder will not be fixed on the metal, and the necessary equipment is quite expensive. Often, this type of paintwork is used by the disk manufacturers themselves.

Acrylic paints

Acrylic based products are suitable for all types of rims, there are no exceptions. Even on aluminum they get a stable and high-quality result in a short time, while the color palette is the richest. Acrylic paints are sold in cylinders, cans, and other containers, but aerosol spraying is the most convenient method of application.

The advantages of paints of this type are as follows:

• high quality coating;
• affordability;
• the ability to combine colors, create an unusual design;
• surface protection against corrosion, dirt, precipitation;
• long shelf life even with regular exposure to reagents;
• quick drying (only 15-20 minutes).

Nevertheless, powder paints last much longer than acrylic and rubber coatings. But for cosmetic repairs, acrylic will be the fastest and most affordable option.

Painting technology

Before self-painting, it is necessary to clarify how much basic material (paint) is needed. You should buy enamel with a margin so that there are no problems with the selection of tone, otherwise the discs will be different in color.

Necessary materials and equipment

For the work to be done efficiently, do not save on paint. It is also important to check the expiration date of enamel and other materials. The master will need automotive primer and varnish, acetone or other solvent, auto-putty (if there are defects).

Of the tools and consumables needed:

• fine grain sandpaper;
• gloves
• respirator;
• Sander;
• building hair dryer.

When buying paint, it is better to immediately purchase the primer and putty of the same brand to improve compatibility and, consequently, the final result.An electric drill with a special nozzle (to remove the old coating, corrosion traces) is suitable for replacing the grinder. A building hair dryer, if necessary, is replaced with a heat gun. These tools are needed for speedy drying of the paint, but many types of enamels dry well at room temperature. If paint is purchased in a spray can, no tools are required. When using other forms, you need to buy a roller, brush and airbrush.

Preparation for work

Before work, remove tires, plastic caps and caps, which will interfere with high-quality staining. Further preparation includes the following steps:

• rinse the product well from dirt using ordinary household chemicals or special automotive products, as well as a brush with a plastic pile;
• process the disk with sandpaper to remove minimal chips, scratches (at first you can apply coarser sandpaper, then fine);
• in the presence of deep chips, use putty;
• degrease discs with acetone or other solvent;
• wrap wheel nipples with masking tape if the discs were not removed;
• you can start priming.

Staining process

The primer is applied to rims in 2-3 layers with an interval of 15 minutes. This time is required for the soil to dry (it is impossible to apply the second layer on a wet disk!). Next, you can make the first layer with an airbrush, holding the nozzle at a distance of 40 cm from the product (it is also acceptable to apply paint with a roller and brush). It is important to apply only thin layers so that paintwork does not leak. After drying of each layer (from 15 minutes), the next one is applied, up to 2-4 layers in total. At the end of the work you need varnishing discs. It is performed 30 minutes after the paint has completely dried. Usually enough 2 layers of varnish for the outside and 1-2 for the inside.

Use of paint in spray cans

The most convenient is the use of paint in the form of a finished enamel, which is sold in cylinders. It does not need to be diluted, add a hardener, a solvent, which some funds require in banks. It is only necessary to pre-test the paint on an unnecessary surface in order to adapt and subsequently apply layers evenly, without drips. The most economical consumption for paint with a round spray torch, more material is required if the torch is vertical.

Before starting work, it is important to cover all unpainted parts of the car with masking tape, film, because it is impossible to fully control aerosol spraying. The contents of the container should be well shaken, during long work it is necessary to carry out the procedure every 10-20 minutes. The temperature in the room should not be lower than + 10 ... + 15 degrees (optimally +20 degrees).

For ease of application, the discs should be removed from the machine and hung on a hook in the wall. Preparation does not differ from that described above for other types of paint. In the presence of rust, it is worthwhile to buy a converter, cover damaged areas with it, leave it for 2 hours. Then you can clean the wheels from rust with high efficiency.

After the primer, you must:

• shake the paint, spray the first layer from a distance of 40 cm;
• wait 10 minutes, apply a second coat;
• ensure that all hard-to-reach spots, complex elements are well stained;
• after complete drying spray the varnish from the spray can;
• between each layer, except the final one, remove all irregularities with fine emery cloth or abrasive paste;
• if necessary, treat the disc with car polish.

Security measures

During preparation and work, the following measures should be adhered to:

• wear safety glasses so that the paint does not get into the eyes;
• use tight clothes and gloves to protect the skin;
• paint only in a room with good ventilation or in the fresh air;
• to exclude fire of a paint, preventing nearby sources of fire.

Tips & Tricks

Wizards advise you to immediately prepare and color all discs so as not to wait for a long time to dry out each layer. Thus, you can save time - while one disk dries, the next one is painted. It is also important to qualitatively paint over inaccessible places, relief areas, and prevent drips. This will allow you to get the perfect result without disappointment.