Are you wondering how much it costs to paint rims?
You’ve come to the right place!
In this ProPaintCorner.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The typical cost of DIY painting rims
- How to save money when painting rims
- How much it usually costs to hire a professional vs do it yourself for rims
- The estimated cost of labor and supplies to paint rims
And much more!
So, if you want to learn how much you should plan on spending to get your rims painted, then keep reading for all our tips and insights below!
How Much Does It Cost To Paint Rims?
Brake dust is just one factor that can make your rims look ugly, not to mention rubbing into curbs, and offroad driving.
Say you or selling your car, or maybe you just take pride in the way you look, and you want your rims to look spanking new when you roll-up.
Your two options are to purchase new rims or paint them over/resurface them.
Because alloy wheels are expensive, they also don't need to be replaced.
And yeah, if you have those cheap chrome wheels that let air out of the tires when corrosion occurs, there's still hope - they just need to be resurfaced.
So when you do go to paint, here are some recommendations and ideas that will help you work through this process in an efficient way.
There are a fair amount of variables when painting your rims. Continue reading below for some good ideas:
DIY Supplies/Steps
Here are some of the things you'll need to get a good paint job on your rims:
- Primer Coat + basecoat + clear coat
- OR Plastidip
- OR Rhinoliner spray
The DIY cost for painting rims depends on the quality and type of paints/primers you use.
For example, you could purchase 6 or so cans of spray paint and set index cards in between the rims and the wheels and have that bad boy painted in just a few simple passes.
If you choose to go that route, you can probably get away with a minimum of 3 spray paint cans when painting a set of 4-5 wheels (don't forget the spare!).
Professional Costs/Recommendations
Pro cost for touch up or full alloy wheel powder coating will cost you anywhere from $100-$200 per wheel.
Note: Be sure to get estimates from multiple painters to ensure you get the best price when hiring a professional for the job.
Read More >> What Are The Best Spray Paints For Wheels & Rims?
Average Cost To Paint Rims If You Do It Yourself?
The average cost to DIY rims is from $30-$100 depending on the quality of materials you use.
We estimate that it will take you 4 hours to do a decent paint job on your wheels, so this is the perfect job to knock out on a reasonably temperate weekend or off day.
Average Cost To Paint Rims If You Hire a Professional Company?
The price for a professional aftermarket paint job ranges from $130+ per wheel.
Wheel repair? Many people who buy from car dealerships have their wheels repaired and painted either on warranty or through insurance because they have damaged the wheel.
This will most likely add an additional cost that depends on how extensive the damage is.
Get multiple estimates from professional wheel specialists before choosing to leverage a fair and good deal on your painted rims.
How To Estimate The Cost To Paint Rims?
Painting rims is a relatively easy estimate whether it's you doing the estimating or a professional.
Cost To Paint Per Square Foot?
Here's an example of a cheap(and great) way to make a brand new paint job that lasts without breaking the bank.
DIY Square Cost/Sq Ft
There are 1.3963 square feet in each rim when painting 16-inch tires.
1.3963 x 4 = 5.5852 square feet per set of 4 tires
We're going to use 4 cans of plastidip at a cost of $22 per can. That's $88 in paint.
$88 / 5.5852 square feet = $15.75 dollars per square foot.
Pro Body Shop Cost/Sq Ft
Now, let's say you hired a professional and paid $130 per wheel. That's $520 in total.
$520 / 5.5852 = $93.10 per square foot.
Read More >> How Do You Remove Spray Paint From Wheels?
Estimated Total Cost of Paint For Rims?
Plasti Dip
If you read above where we estimate for plasti dip, it will cost you around $22 per can, and you'll need 4 to complete the project. So that would be $88.
If you want to step it up a notch, you'll use a truck bed liner on your rims for a strong, textured finish.
Truck Bed Liner
Just one 32-ounce can costs a fraction of what plasti dip will cost, so if you purchased two $27 cans of truck bed liner that each cover 35 square feet(which is more than enough)
Spray Paint Designed For Wheels
You could always purchase something like this high-gloss Dupli-Color wheel paint that runs !$15 per can. If you purchased 4 cans, you would be spending ~$60 on paint.
Gloss black is a great color for making a black wheel that glimmers.
Powder Coat
The highest quality paint job for components like rims and calipers is a powder coat, and the process is a bit more complicated than using a spray can because the paint is applied electrostatically, and then cured using heat.
Powder coat makes it super easy to clean brake dust off because it bonds differently to the wheel.
The actual paint doesn't cost very much($20 for a gallon), but you'll also have to purchase a powder coat paint gun which typically costs $100+ for a decent one.
We estimate a DIY powder coat job will cost you anywhere from $150-$250 if you don't already have the tools needed for the job.
Read More >> What Are The Best Automotive Spray Guns For Beginners?
Estimated Total Cost of Labor For Rims?
DIY Labor
We think 4 hours is a reasonable time for completing a paint job on a complete set of rims.
Pro Labor
The pros can usually knock out a set of rims in a couple of hours, but it also depends on if they have to perform a wheel repair beforehand.
A good ballpark price for a professional to handle the business is $500-$1000 for a full set.
How To Save Money When Painting Rims?
Paint Wheels Yourself!
Painting your car's wheels yourself shouldn't be too hard.
Websites like Google, Amazon, and Youtube make it ridiculously easy to not only learn how to perform the right process for painting your wheels, but also buy all the supplies you need and have them shipped right to your front door without wasting a minute of your time.
- First, you'll want to power wash the rims. A professional might even demount the tire, but it's certainly not necessary when doing it yourself.
- Sand/Brush Off Imperfections And Remaining Dirt
- For chrome wheels, you can prep for paint by using a spinning wire brush attached to the drill.
- For alloy wheels, a plastic-bristled brush scrubber might be sufficient enough to clean up, but if they are old wheels, you can try starting with 80-grit sandpaper, and work your way up to a 220-grit for a wheel surface that is smooth to the touch.
- Mask Off The Tire/Surroundings. Use whatever you have available to cover up the tire/avoid overspray. Masking tape and paper, index cards, even playing cards will do the trick.
- Apply Paint Applying the paint is easy. Just start by filling in the cracks that are harder to get to, and then cover the more exposed parts.
The amount of coats you apply depends on the paint type and color you use. Use your best judgment after the paint dries to determine if the wheel needs another coat when painting chrome rims and alloy wheels!
Read More >> What Are The Best Primers For Painting Rusted Metal?
Still Have Questions?
We handle FAQ info better than anybody. Ask all questions related to painting rims on our Pro Paint Corner page!
