This is the complete guide on how much does it cost to paint rims, where we have discussed detailed steps.
A car always invokes a different type of emotion for the owners. We all know the car is not an asset that will give you more value in the future, but still, the utility, the convenience, the comfort it offers are enough to get one and then another.
Taking good care of your car is essential if you want to keep it running smoothly for as long as possible. This doesn’t simply involve a glance at the engine compartment.
Always keep your car’s paint and appearance in top condition. A lot of people believe that the car you drive portrays who you are. To put it another way, you don’t want to be seen driving around town in a rusted-out vehicle with uneven paint.
How Much Does It Cost To Paint Rims
About Rims
Rims are a crucial part of your car that will need to be repaired or replaced at some point throughout its lifetime. The tire is held in place by the wheel’s outer rim.
These can wear and fade with time, which can have a detrimental effect on the overall appearance of your vehicle. However, there is a great approach to spruce up your vehicle by painting the rims.
This will give your vehicle a fashionable look and even raise its resale value. A wide range of color alternatives makes it simple to customize your vehicle’s rims.
It might be intimidating, however, to pick the best one for your needs. As the price varies from professional to another, it’s impossible to figure out the average cost for this paint job.
To assist you, we have prepared this exhaustive guide. The cost of painting rims, comparison of professional and DIY costs, the best way to cut the cost, and many more will be discussed in the article.
Let’s take a tour!
Type Of Paint To Be Used On Rims
All rims don’t need the same type of paint. If you want to paint your chrome rims, you’ll need a different type of paint than if you want to paint its alloy rims. To paint your vehicle’s wheels, no matter what type of rim they have, you must need a primer and spray paint for automobile wheels.
Almost all wheels require these three components, but the difference lies in the specific product that you’ll need for your own set of wheels. Latex metal or acrylic, or paint can be used to paint chrome rims, but you will need to remove some of the chrome before the paint can adhere to the rim. Polyurethane paintwork well on alloy and aluminum wheels.
Not only is Rust-oleum paint recommended for a car’s wheels, but it’s also recommended for its metallic parts. Rust-oleum paint is a good choice for metal surfaces because of its high-quality finish, which prevents rust.
A common application is on ships, cars, trucks, railroads, and other metallic vehicles. Rust-oleum is an excellent choice for painting the rims of a vehicle. Take some time to research the proper paint for your rim, then concentrate on the hue you want.
Rim paints come in cans and are applied straight on the rim. If you don’t want to do any of that, you don’t even need a paintbrush or sprayer. Make sure the paint is dissolved, and then spray the rims. It’s easy to spray paint with a rattle can because it’s usually loaded with compressed air. We also suggest you read our guide on eliminating paint odors.
How To Calculate Cost Of Painting Rims
If you have made your mind to paint your rim, here are some key points that you can’t afford to skip for calculating the cost in the best way.
DIY Supplies
You’ll need a priming coat, a basecoat, and a clear coat before you can begin painting your vehicle. There are several factors that influence the cost of these do-it-yourself components, such as what paints or primers you’ll be using.
The cost of spray paint is influenced by how many spray cans you need. You may be able to paint the rims quickly without wasting any paint if you use spray paint, placing cards between the wheels and rims to avoid painting the tires.
Average Cost Of DIY
As with other do-it-yourself endeavors, you’ll save money by not paying a professional. A DIY option for rim paint typically costs between $30 and $100. A lot will depend on how well-made and how much you’re utilizing.
It should take between three and four hours to paint your wheels to your satisfaction. Even though professionals own all the essential tools, doing it yourself will save you money because you won’t have to pay for paints or labor.
Average Costs Of Hiring Professionals
All-in-all, professional alloy wheel painting or powder coating charges range between $100 and $200. The easiest way to ensure you receive the best deal on a high-quality paint job is to acquire numerous quotes from expert painters.
The cost of hiring a professional company might range from $130 per wheel and upwards of that much. Depending on where you purchased your automobile, you may also be able to get your wheels painted or repaired at the dealership.
However, this may incur additional expenses depending on the damage, even if the warranty or insurance covers it.
Calculating Per Sq/Ft Paint Cost
The cost of painting rims can be calculated in several ways, and going with per sq/ft is one of those popular ones. According to many, this can give you a cost-effective estimate that you may want to consider if you have a tight budget.
The cost per sq/ft can be categorized into two – DIY and professionals. Of course, the cost of these two will be different because for one you need to buy the supplies and for the other, you need to pay a package for everything. Let’s take a look for a better understanding.
Average Cost For DIY Per Square Foot
Here is how the cost will go if you do the job on your own.
- If you are about to paint 16″ tires, it will be 1.3963 square feet on each rim.
- That means 1.3963 x 4 tires = 5.5853 square feet
- Consider using 4 cans of spray paint that cost $24 each, then the cost for the paint will be $24×4 = $96 on paint.
- Altogether, it will cost $96 / 5.5852 sq/ft = $17.18 per square foot
Average Cost For Professionals Per Square Foot
Doing the job on your own can be tiring and a little tricky. In this case, it is best not to waste the paint and hire a professional. The cost of hiring a professional for the job will be like this:
- If each wheel costs $140 each, the cost you have to bear is $560.
- $560 / 5.5852 = $100.26 per square foot.
As it says that going with per sqft is much cheaper than the other. The calculation of the cost agrees with the statement. Now, it is your decision whether you want to go with this option or not.
Calculating Costs Based On Different Paints
The material determines the cost of any investment, and this is no exception for painting the rim as well. Different types of paints can be used to add color to the rim, and that can create significant differences in the overall cost.
Plastic Dip
The cost of plastic dip can vary widely, depending on the quality and brand of the product you choose. You’ll need four of these cans to finish your painting project on average, and they’ll cost you $22 each. Therefore, a paint job with a plastic dip would cost $88 in total.
Spray Paint
Wheels can be painted with a special type of spray paint. The Dupli-Color high-gloss wheel paint, for example, costs $15 a can. The total cost of paint should be $60 if you choose to go with this option.
Truck Bed Liner
If you use two cans of truck bed liner for $27 each and have a 35-square-foot coverage, that should be enough, especially given that you will pay a fraction of the price of plastic dips. Henceforth, this is cost-effective than the plastic dip.
Powder Coat
A powder coat is the best option for rims and calipers since the paint is electrostatically applied and then dried with heat, making the procedure a little more involved than using a spray can. Because powder coat adheres differently to the wheel, it is much easier to remove brake dust.
To get a good powder coat paint gun, which usually costs $100+, you’ll need to shell out $20 per gallon of paint. If you don’t already have the necessary tools, according to our estimation, a DIY powder coat job may cost you between $150 and $250.
Average Cost Of Labor
You should be able to finish the paint job in approximately four hours if you’re doing it alone. It should just take a few hours to paint a full set of rims by a professional. Depending on whether or not the wheels need to be repaired as well, this may take a little longer. According to estimates, it can cost anything from $500 to $1000 to have a professional do the entire set for you.
Wondering About Saving Money?
Many methods can reduce the painting cost of your wheels’ rims. Do it yourself is the best advice. You may find a wealth of information online, including videos, to walk you through the procedure.
With a little online shopping and shipping, you can have new rims installed in no time at all. It all depends on the type and color of paint you choose. You should be able to tell if the wheel needs another layer of paint once it has dried.
Here are some steps that you may follow to paint the rim successfully and save a significant amount of money as well.
- Power washing the rims is a must. When you’re doing it yourself, you don’t even need to demount the tire.
- Make sure there isn’t any leftover dirt or imperfections.
- A wire brush attached to a drill can be used to prepare chrome wheels for paint.
- The plastic-bristled brush scrubber may be sufficient for cleaning alloy wheels, but if the wheels are old, you may want to start with 80-grit sandpaper and work your way up to 220-grit for a smooth wheel surface.
- Cover the tire and the area around it with a tarp or sheet of paper. Cover the tire to prevent overspray. It doesn’t matter if you use masking tape, index cards, or even playing cards.
- The process of painting is simple. Start with the most difficult-to-reach areas, and then go on to the more visible areas.
Your paint type and color determine the number of coats you’ll need to apply. If you’re painting chrome or alloy wheels, wait until the paint has dried before deciding whether or not to apply another layer.
DIY Or Professional
If you want, you can paint the rim of your car provided you have adequate time, skill, and desire; painting the rims yourself is a viable option. Doing things yourself will give you a greater sense of accomplishment and self-worth.
However, you have the option of hiring a professional if that is what you want. It doesn’t matter if you hire or do it yourself, but here are some considerable points to keep in mind before making a decision.
Cost: A professional automobile painter’s services will cost a little more than painting the rims yourself. It’s best if you can do it yourself if money is no object; if that’s not an option, you can always hire a professional to do it for you. When you choose a professional painter, you can be confident that the work will be done correctly and efficiently.
Size: Removing and painting smaller car rims is much easier than larger car rims because of the car’s size. For example, removing the wheels and repainting them on a Toyota Sedan is far simpler than doing the same on a Toyota Hilux. A larger vehicle will necessitate the use of an additional person or the services of a professional.
Experience: Whether or whether you decide to paint your car rims yourself or get professional help depends on your level of competence with the tools used in the process. If you’re not confident in your abilities, it’s best to hire a professional or learn on your own first.
Condition: Whether you do it yourself or hire an expert depends on the condition of the rim. Before painting, the rims must be cleaned, the rust should be removed using sandblasting or any other methods, then rims should be primed, and lastly, the paint will be applied. Because some rims are dirtier and more rusted than others, painting them is going to be more challenging. This is why it is important to inspect the rim.
Time: It takes time to paint the rims. If you’re short on time or have a lot of other things on your plate, you’ll be better off hiring a professional to take care of it for you.
Final Words
We hope this detailed guide on “how much does it cost to paint rims” was helpful. People often get confused about determining the cost before deciding whether they should go for DIY or hire a professional. Therefore, we have prepared this detailed document to help them understand how costs vary and essential factors.
DIY is a trendy term these days that make people self-sufficient and also help them in cutting cost. However, all jobs are not for DIY; here, professional help is a must. Based on your budget, time, condition of the rim, and expertise in performing the job all by yourself, you can make your mind.
If any problem or confusion occurs, don’t hesitate to comment down below for help so that your investment doesn’t go in vain.
