Your car may look great! You’ve got shiny paint, spotless trim, and a clean interior. But, if your rims are scratched and damaged, they tend to stand out. Don’t let your car’s appearance be spoiled with subpar rims!
Painting your rims is a lot less expensive than buying new ones! In this article, we’ll look at the cost to paint your rims yourself and the price of a professional paint job.
Plus, check out the step-by-step instructions on how to achieve a DIY rim paint job that will make your car look great!
Table of Contents
How Much Does it Cost to Get Rims Painted Professionally?
Variables
The estimate depends on several factors:
- The wheels you have: Are your wheels chrome or alloy? Do you have a sedan or a truck? The material and the size of the wheels will be a factor in the final price of your paint job.
- The condition of your wheels: If your wheels require repair, be prepared to pay more for your paint job.
- The wheels you want: A simple paint job will cost less than a custom design.
The Painting Process
What are you paying for, anyway? Never be afraid to ask for a detailed estimate for any job! Here’s what your money goes towards when you pay a professional automotive technician to paint your car.
- Prep work: Your wheels will be removed, cleaned, repaired, sanded, and stripped. Depending on the cost for labor and the amount of labor required, this should cost you between $25-$100 or more per rim.
- Once the wheels are prepped, new paint is applied: This cost can vary as well, depending on the paint you choose. If a polyurethane paint is sprayed onto the wheels, it will cost another $30-$100+ per wheel.
Total Cost
Your grand total for labor and materials for a basic paint job will probably be between $50-250 per wheel or $200-$1,000 total for all four wheels. If you have a truck or SUV or want any type of custom painting, be prepared to pay more.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint Rims Yourself?
Paint
You’ll need paint, obviously. Black or glossy black rims are trendy right now. There are several options for paint.
- Truck bed liner: This spray-on truck bed liner will give rims a tough, scratch-proof black coat. You will need 3-4 cans to cover four car rims. The price is around $15 per can or $45-60 total.
- Plasti dip: Plasti Dip is a rubberized coating that can be applied to car rims. It is removable and is a great way to protect rims. A kit with four cans of plastic dip and two cans of gloss costs around $50.
- Spray paint: Duplicolor wheel spray paint in glossy black will cost $50-$60 for four cans.
Other supplies
- Primer: Primer will help the paint stick to the metal on the rims. Make sure you get a primer that is labeled for metal or automotive use! Primer will cost about $15 a can. You will need two coats of primer per wheel, so two cans should be enough for four wheels. The total cost for the primer will be around $30.
- Jack: You may already have one of these in the trunk of your car! You need a jack to lift your vehicle while you remove the wheels. If you don’t have one, they are available to rent
- Other tools: You will need a lug wrench to remove and replace the lug nuts on the tire. These are fairly inexpensive, so no worries if you don’t already own one
- Sandpaper: Sandpaper can be used to smooth out any rough spots before you paint. Steel wool is also handy to get the wheels extra smooth.
Time
Painting your rims yourself will cost you some of your valuable time. How much time? That depends on your level of experience, and how much prep work your rims require. Be prepared to spend between 6-20 hours painting your rims.
Total Cost for DIY Paint Job on Car Rims
Your total cost to paint your rims yourself will be about $100 for paint, primer, and supplies.
DIY Paint Job for Rims – A Step by Step Guide
Materials Needed
- Paint (see above)
- Primer
- Sandpaper or a wire brush mounted on a drill
- Steel wool
- Jack
- Soap or degreaser, and water
- Painters tape and plastic sheeting
- Lug wrench
- Drop cloths
- Mask and eye protection
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Remove your rims: Although it is possible to paint rims while the wheels are still attached to the vehicle, it will be much easier if you remove them! This is also the time to put on your mask and eye protection.
- Clean the wheels: Use the soap or degreaser to thoroughly cover the entire area of the wheel, then rinse it off with a power washer. You may need to use rags or a brush to thoroughly clean the entire rim.
- Sand the rims: Start with a wire brush or a heavy-grit sandpaper. Keep going over the wheel until all rust and paint are removed. Switch to 300 grit sandpaper, then 500 grit sandpaper to smooth out the rim. Finish by rubbing the wheel with steel wool until it feels smooth. Carefully remove all dust from the wheel.
- Mask and tape the tire: Use the plastic sheeting and painters tape to cover the tire from overspray. Place the tire on the drop cloths.
- Prime: Spray the primer on the wheels. Allow it to dry, then apply another coat.
- Paint: Test your paint on a piece of cardboard before you apply it to your wheel. Notice the spray pattern and make any adjustments. Don’t stand too close! Now, apply the paint to the rim in an even coat. Allow it to dry, then repeat. Depending on the paint, you will probably want to apply at least three coats.
- Top coat: Use the same method you used to apply the paint and primer. You will need 1-2 coats of top coat to protect your paint and make the rims glossy.
- Reinstall the wheels: Allow the wheels to dry overnight. Remove the sheeting and painters tape, then reinstall the wheels on the vehicle.
When Should You Hire a Professional?
Damaged rims may require the touch of a professional to restore them to their former glory. Custom details may be too difficult to accomplish on your own. Or, you simply may not have the time to devote to this project. If any of these are the case, look into hiring someone to repaint your car rims.
Should I Buy New Rims?
If your rims are very damaged, you may not be able to salvage them with just a coat or two of paint. New car rims can cost as little as $100 per rim for basic steel rims. If you’re looking at graphite-coated rims, you may pay as much as $500 per rim.
Used or refurbished rims are also an option! You can save a lot of money by purchasing second-hand rims.
Final Thoughts
Make sure your car stands out for all the right reasons with flawless rims! Whether you choose to paint them yourself or hire a professional, freshly painted rims will give your car the look you desire.
