Painting your rims can create a more aesthetically pleasing look for your vehicle. Painting can also add a layer of protection to the surface that stops rust and corrosion and makes your rims last a lot longer.
We talked to several auto-body shop technicians to try and find out the highs and lows of rim painting. This is something that a lot of people do for themselves, but we must tell you there is more to this activity than simply buying some spray paint and dousing the rims in it.
Can all Rims Be painted?
The majority of rims, whether they be aluminum, alloy, or some other material can be painted, coated or improved. You do need to do your research so you get the right paint for the rims.
Conditions that make rims unable to be painted:
There are a few conditions that will inhibit your ability to paint your rim and get a quality-looking finish. They include:
- Severely rusted or corroded rims
- Bent or damaged rims
- Plastic coated rims that have not had the plastic prepared for painting
DIY Rim Painting Cost Estimate
Average Cost to Paint Your Own Rims
| # of rims | Low Estimate | Average Estimate | High Estimate |
| 1 – rim | $30 | $60 | $150 |
| 2 – rims | $60 | $120 | $300 |
| 4 – rims | $120 | $430 | $800 |
What Kind of Paint to Use?
You have multiple options in the paints or coatings to use when you rejuvenate your car rims.
- Plasti Dip is made for the wear and tear that rims and undercarriages go through
- truck bed liners create a fabulous protective coating on rims.
- High-gloss wheel paints
- Powder coating
- Paint by the quart that requires a spray gun
- Spray cans like aerosol cans
To learn more about Bumper paint costs visit my article: How Much to Get a Bumper Painted
Spray Paint Designed for Use on Rims
When you read that you can spray paint your rims you have to understand that this is not the typical spray paint you buy at the hardware store. An all-purpose paint in a can is handy on many different materials, like wood, plastic, metal, and such, but it is not designed with the right properties to allow it to be used on high-temperature items like rims, wheels, and items that see the abuses that rims and wheels see.
You are going to need to go to an automotive supply or automotive paint supply to find the spray can paints designed for use on rims. You are looking for three different paint substances if you choose to not use Plasti dip or bed liner.
You need a spray primer that is designed for rims, the base color paint, and then a clear or protective coating designed to cover the paint. Some of these substances may cost more than $20 per can, and you will likely need one or more cans for each rim.
Cost of Spray Paint Designed for Rims
| Substance | Low Cost | Average Cost | High Cost |
| Primer | $9.00 | $12.00 | $20.00 |
| Paint | $4.99 | $15.00 | $30.00 |
| Clear Coat | $10.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
How Much Paint Does It Take to Paint Rims?
This requires you to dig up some of that high school algebra and geometry knowledge so you can figure the square feet of your rims. You thought you would never need that math again! Paints are sold with a distinctive number of square feet that they are supposed to cover. To buy the right amount you have to do that math.
The typical 16” rim has 1.3963 square feet. If you paint all four rims then you are going to cover 5.5852 square feet. If you are using Plastic Dip you are going to need 1 can for each rim.
Do You Prime Rims Before Painting Them?
Yes, Yes, and definitely! Priming is an important step before adding paint. Primer creates a bondable surface area so the paint adheres properly. It also creates a protective barrier that inhibits and prevents rust and corrosion so your rims material lasts longer and looks better.
Do You Put a Sealer on the Rims?
If you paint your rims with a color base then you need to apply a sealer. The sealer is designed to protect the paint and keep it from chipping, cracking, or peeling away. The sealer also gives an extra amount of shine to the rim surface so it creates a prettier finish.
DIY Tools Needed to Paint Your Rims:
- Wheel cleaner
- Wire brush
- Extra fine sandpaper
- Superfine sandpaper
- Steel wool
- Rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits
- Painters’ tape
- Plastic or newspaper to protect the tire from the paint
- A drop cloth
- Clean dry cloth for cleanup
- Respirator or face mask
- Eye protection like goggles
The Skinny on Painting Your Own Rims
You can paint your own rims. You do not have to be a professional paint and body technician. You do not need a lot of expensive equipment or even a lot of time.
What you need to paint your own rims is patience, the ability to pay attention to detail, and a few hours. You can easily do this work in your garage and create unique and fabulous-looking rims with little effort and little cost.
Step by Step guide on How Much Does It Cost to Paint Motorcycle
Prepare the Surface
Your first concern will be preparing the surface so the paint will adhere. This means you are going to have to do some heavy cleaning and sanding to create the perfect surface.
- Take the rims off of the car. You do not want to try and paint these with them on the automobile. You would never be able to reach all of the nooks and crannies and you would likely get paint transferred onto car sections.
- Use a spray soap or degreaser to spray the rims down. Use cloth rags to clean away all of the grease, grime, and road dust that has accumulated. Pay close attention to areas between the decorative elements like the spokes. Your attention to detail now will pay off when you have a flawless finish. You have to dry the material completely before you can proceed any further.
- Use a wire brush or stiff-bristled plastic brush to remove any paint chips, peeling paint, or rust from the surface. Work hard to get off as much as you can, and when you are finished either rinse the rim and dry it again, or use an air compressor and blow all of the loose particulates away.
- After you use the wire brush you need to get out the sandpaper and go over the surface lightly. This action will ensure that rust and corrosion particulates are loosened and removed. It also will help the primer you are going to apply to be able to stick better. 300 to 500 grit sandpaper is adequate for this work.
- Now you take some steel wool and you rub it all over the rim to create the smoothest possible surface. The smoother your surface is the more flawless the paint finish will be.
- After the steel wool has been used you need to wipe the entire surface with rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits. Check the rim carefully because you want to see if there are any blemishes or rough areas before you begin to apply the primer, paint, and clear coat.
- Now prime the wheel by holding the spray can about 6 to 12 inches away from the surface and spraying at an even and consistent rate of speed. Starting and stopping can create runs and drips so be in continuous motion and do the entire surface with a few pauses as possible.
- Let the primer dry 100% before you start to apply the base color paint. This could take as long as a few hours depending on the type of primer you are using and how thickly you applied it.
- When the primer is dry apply the base color. Once again, you need to have a continuous motion that allows the paint to be dispersed in an even and uniform manner.
- Let the paint dry completely before you apply a second coat or start to apply the clear coat.
- Finish the job by applying a clear coat over the paint. This is the glossy and shiny portion of the procedure so you may want multiple coatings.
Hiring a Pro to Paint Rims
Professional Charges for Rim Painting
| # of Rims | Low Estimate | Average Cost | High Estimate |
| 1 – Rim | $130 | $185 | $200 |
| 2 – Rims | $260 | $300 | $400 |
| 4 – Rims | $450 | $750 | $1200 |
How Much Do the Pros Charge to Do This?
Although a professional will be able to paint the rims in about 2 hours, whereas it would take you about 4, you are going to pay dearly for their knowledge, experience, and use of their tools. It is not unheard of for pros to charge as much as $75 an hour, or quote flat rate fees of $500 to $1000.
The condition of the rims, the materials they are made of, and whether the pro has to remove the tires and replace the tires all factor into how much the labor for the paint job will be.
FAQ
How Much Does It Cost to Paint 4 Rims?
If you do the work yourself and use a moderately priced substance then you should be able to paint all four rims for a couple of hundred dollars. This price changes with the paint you use, and the cost of paint in your area.
How Much Does Maaco Charge To Paint Rims?
Generally, you can hire Maaco to paint rims for around $25 per item. The drawback is they require you to pay to have the tire removed and then pay to have the tire replaced. At this price, they are also using the cheapest materials to do the work.
How Much Does It Cost to Paint Alloys Black?
You can normally expect to pay between $100 and $200 to paint each alloy wheel.
Final Thoughts
Painting your rims is not that hard to do, and it can be done in just one weekend so your vehicle will not be out of commission for a long period of time. Many people consider rim painting to be part of their regular maintenance on their vehicles because they like to keep the highest level of protection from water and road contaminants.
