Changing the colour of the wheels is one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make to a car and, with a good spray paint, you can do it yourself in a morning. For wheels we recommend spray paint with lacquer rather than a peelable coating: the finish is smoother and tougher, copes better with brake dust and washing, and doesn't peel over time.
What you need
- Our wheel paint kit: two cans of special wheel paint and a protective lacquer, in 31 colours, for the four wheels of a normal car (up to about 18 inches), for €29.95.
- Degreaser, soapy water and a brush.
- Fine sandpaper (400 to 600 grit) if the wheel has scratches or the old paint is damaged.
- Masking tape and paper, or an old pack of playing cards to protect the tyre.
- Gloves, a mask and a well-ventilated place.
Which colour to choose
- The classics: black, anthracite, gunmetal or aluminium, in gloss or matte.
- Contrast: gold, white or pearl white, which look superb on black or dark cars.
- Racing: red, blue or the fluorescent colours (yellow, green, blue, orange and red).
These are the 31 colours of the kit, by finish:
| Finish | Colours |
|---|---|
| Gloss and matte | Black, anthracite, aluminium, gunmetal, white, pearl white, gold, red, blue and green |
| Gloss only | Yellow |
| Fluorescent, gloss and matte | Yellow, green, blue, orange and red |
The lacquer in the kit matches the finish you choose: gloss if you choose gloss and matte if you choose matte. If you're not sure, black, anthracite and gunmetal go with any body colour; gold and pearl white are for contrast.
On the car or off?
Both ways work. What changes is how comfortable it is and the risk of overspray:
| Wheel off | Wheel on the car | |
|---|---|---|
| Access between the spokes | Full, you can turn it | Limited by the brake and the wheel arch |
| What needs masking | Tyre and valve | Tyre, valve, disc, caliper and bodywork |
| Tools | Jack, wheel brace and something to rest it on | Just the painting kit |
| Result | More even | Good if you mask carefully |
If you take the wheel off, lay it flat on a few blocks or an upturned bucket: that way you can paint the whole face without the spray hitting the ground. Take off one wheel at a time if you don't have axle stands.
1. Prepare the wheels
It's easiest to take the wheels off, but you can also paint them on the car. Wash the wheels thoroughly with soapy water and degreaser, including between the spokes: brake dust is greasy and stops the paint sticking. If there's kerb damage, sand it lightly until smooth. Rinse and leave to dry completely.
2. Mask what mustn't be painted
The professionals' trick: slip playing cards between the wheel and the tyre, all the way round. They protect the rubber and come out in a second. Also mask the valve and, if the wheel is on the car, the brake disc and caliper with paper and tape.
3. Paint in thin coats
- Shake the can for at least a minute.
- Spray from about 25 cm away, in quick, even passes, starting and finishing off the wheel.
- Apply a very thin first coat: it doesn't need to cover everything. It acts as a key for the next coats.
- Wait about ten minutes and apply a second coat. If needed, a third.
- Don't try to cover everything in one go: that's what causes runs.
4. Finish with lacquer
When the colour is touch dry, apply the lacquer in two thin coats. It protects the paint from brake dust and washing and gives the final finish, gloss or matte.
5. Let it dry
In about an hour your four wheels are painted, but leave them to dry for 24 hours before refitting the wheels or driving, and wait a week before washing with strong products.
Mistakes that spoil the finish
- Not degreasing properly: brake dust is greasy. If any is left, the paint won't key and will soon lift.
- Overloading the first coat: the number one cause of runs. Three thin coats are better than one thick one.
- Painting in the sun, in the wind or in damp weather: the paint dries badly and dust sticks to it. Pick a mild, dry day and a shady spot.
- Skipping the lacquer: the colour alone is left unprotected against brake dust and washing.
- Refitting the wheels too soon: wait the full 24 hours or you'll mark the paint when you tighten the bolts.
If you get a run, don't touch it while it's wet. Let it dry, sand the area lightly with the fine paper until it's level, then apply another thin coat of colour and one of lacquer.
How to look after painted wheels
For the first week, wash them only with water and neutral soap. After that you can use your usual wheel cleaner, preferably acid-free and without wire brushes. Clean off brake dust often: if it builds up for months it's harder to remove and dulls the colour. If you scuff a wheel on a kerb later on, you can touch up just that area with the same colour and lacquer.
What about the brake calipers?
Coloured calipers behind freshly painted wheels are the perfect finishing touch. They need a different paint that withstands the heat of the brakes. We explain it in how to paint brake calipers. For the calipers we have high-temperature paint for brake calipers and exhausts, and both paints together in wheel and brake caliper paint. And to match the wheels to the car, see our ideas for wheel wraps, a black or carbon roof and chrome delete: black wheels with blacked-out chrome give a very sporty look.
Frequently asked questions
How many wheels can I paint with one kit?
The four wheels of a normal car, up to about 18 inches. The kit contains two cans of colour and one of lacquer.
Do I need to take the wheels off to paint them?
It's easiest, but you can paint them on the car if you protect the tyre (with playing cards), the valve and the brakes well.
Is it better to paint wheels or use a peelable coating?
For wheels, spray paint with lacquer: the finish is smoother and tougher, copes better with brake dust and washing, and doesn't peel over time.
How long does wheel paint take to dry?
You can paint them in an hour, but it is best to wait 24 hours before refitting the wheels or driving, and a week before washing them with strong products.
Can I use the kit on motorbike wheels?
Yes. You prepare and paint them just as on a car. Mask the tyre, the disc and the sprocket or drive pulley carefully.
Gloss or matte?
Gloss is easier to clean and hides brake dust better. Matte looks sportier, but marks show more. For everyday use, gloss is more practical.
Do I always have to sand the wheel?
No. If the original paint is sound, washing and degreasing it thoroughly is enough. Only sand scuffs and areas where the old paint is lifting.
Can I change colour later?
Yes. Wash, sand lightly to take the shine off the lacquer and paint over it in the new colour, following the same steps.
