Refinishing your rims can make all the difference in the world between your car looking like a clunker to a new ride that is the envy of the town. The nice thing about working on rims is that even if they are in rough shape, assuming the integrity of the rim itself is intact, you have something positive to work with. There are a plethora of tips passed down by generations on how to accomplish this task most successfully, but pushing debate aside, a few solid tips can help out most owners.

“Things like grease and grime will stunt the progress of the refinish, so if possible, use a pressure washer’s power to your advantage and clear the rims meticulously. The more effort you put into the initial soak, the better the results will be at the end of the process”

Hose Down To The Best Of Your Ability

Things like grease and grime will stunt the progress of the refinish, so if possible, use a pressure washer’s power to your advantage and clear the rims meticulously. The more effort you put into the initial soak, the better the results will be at the end of the process. A garden hose can do the trick, but a power washer works efficiently to clean out cumbersome cracks.

Tape Off The Tire

To avoid elements making their way onto the tires themselves, cover them in depth, paying close attention to the crevices. This is a preventative measure that will cut down on cleanup time later.

Sand The Rim With 320 Grit

The debate rages on about how coarse the grit of sandpaper should be, but 320 will do the trick nicely. Just remember, the rougher the sandpaper, the more susceptible your rim is to scratching, so start with smoother surfaces and work your way up until you are satisfied with its effects. Only a medium amount of force should be used when sanding your rims. You want to service them with a bit of power, but not grind it down unnecessarily.

Apply A Light Coat Of Primer

Once again, less is more, at least initially. Primer is delivered through an aerosol can, and a liberal dusting will work to your favor. Primer is applied in 3 stages most of the time. After the initial run through, another light coating is applied, followed by a final ‘medium’ level spraying that makes the rim a little more wet.

Sand Again Before Paint

After the primer is done drying, run the sandpaper over the finish to remove bumps and smooth out the rim itself. Particles and dust must be eliminated entirely before paint is brought into the fold. Similar to how the primer was sprayed, from roughly six inches away, apply the rim paint. After the first coat has dried, repeat the process again with a medium level of spray used. This will help the rim appear more consistent in its color.

Use A Clear Coat

Lastly, spray on a clear coat that is chip resistant. Take your time in applying the clear coat to guarantee that the paint’s properties are sealed and ready to be exposed to the elements.

Conclusion

Refinishing wheel rims is just one of a bundle of tasks that pro auto detailers can provide to ensure that your vehicle makes a statement. Not only are they able to handle each car type with ease, they also have the skills to make your ride appear brand new and free of imperfections.

Original article taken from The Detailing Syndicate https://detailingsyndicate.com/how-to-refinish-wheel-rims/