Painting your wheel rims: method and products

Repainting your wheel rims gives your car a fresh new look without breaking the bank. Provided you follow the Preparation steps and protect the tyres properly, it’s a project you can easily tackle yourself. Here’s how to do it, along with the products and prices.

How much does it cost?

If you’re doing it yourself, the main cost is the spray cans: a few cans of primer, paint and clearcoat, which usually amounts to a few dozen euros for a set of four wheels, plus consumables. If you go to a professional, labour costs will drive up the bill. Detailed price ranges are set out in our guide to bodywork paint prices.

Steps for painting your wheel rims

1. Clean and degrease thoroughly to remove brake dust and grease.
2. Sand lightly to matt the surface and improve adhesion.
3. Carefullymask the tyre and valve (Masking tape + cover), or remove the rims for the best result.
4. Apply a thin layer of primer and leave to dry.
5. Apply several thin layers, each criss-crossed, of paint.
6. Apply a clearcoat to protect against splashes and brake dust.

Tips for a long-lasting finish

Work in dry weather, at a mild temperature, sheltered from the wind and dust. Thin layers are better than one thick coat that runs. For rims, Clearcoat is essential: it protects against road grime and makes cleaning easier. As for tyres, you don’t ‘paint’ them with bodywork paint: to restore the black colour, use a dedicated tyre restoration product.

FAQ

Do the rims need to be removed to paint them?

It isn’t essential, but removing them (and ideally taking the tyre off the rim) gives a neater finish. If not, mask the tyre and valve very carefully.

What paint should I use for rims?

A spray car paint, applied over a primer and finished with a protective clearcoat resistant to brake dust.

Can tyres be painted?

Not with car paint. To restore the black colour of the sidewalls, use a specific tyre restoration product.

Last updated: June 2026.