Primers for rims 

When you are a beginner in the field of car body painting, and you are looking to bring together the products needed to redo your rim coating, here are some clarifications concerning the primers to use for painting a rim: which ones? Why should I use them? How do I paint a rim?

The application of a primer is part of the preparatory steps for painting a rim. As we will see, a primer is not always necessary, which saves time and product.

Here we will clarify everything concerning the preparation of a rim coating and the use of a rim primer, and answer these 3 essential questions :

When is a primer required?

On unpainted surfaces, usually raw metal. Wheels are made of metals, ranging from simple steel to aluminium or alloys, and sometimes even chrome.

In all these cases, it is imperative to apply what is called a metal adhesion primer (which is used to adhere) and which has a protective role against corrosion.

Primers for rim paint

In another case, when the surface is too damaged to be painted, a thick product can be applied to level and resurface: It is a primer filler. This product is a covering primer and removes micro defects after sanding.

Although these primers can be applied directly onto steel, it is recommended to apply a metal adhesion promoter first, especially if it is a non-ferrous metal (more difficult to adhere to).

> If the rim is already painted originally, as is most often the case, then a lot of work has already been done by the manufacturer to apply primer, paint and topcoat. No primer is thus necessary on this painted rim; we can proceed with coating after simple sanding using a 320 or 500 grit.

What is the difference between a base and a primer ?

These are two terms usually used in the bodywork field in a rather vague way.

A primer comes first : it is often a thin product used to create a connection with the surface to guarantee adhesion on difficult materials.

A base is a product that "prepares" and makes the surface ready to paint.

You may need neither, one, or even both, when painting a rim.

What are the different types of primers and bases for rims ?

For metals, there are first of all anti-corrosion and standard adhesion primers for steels and ferrous metals.

Then there are primers for non-ferrous metals (aluminium, zinc, galvanised steel...) which are "phosphating" or "wash primer" bases.

Two-component epoxy primers are suitable for all metals and are high-performance adhesion primers.

Repair primers

Finally, this other family of primers for rims, known as "filler" primers, exists in thick and slow-drying versions, and in thin and fast-drying versions, ready to paint. In truth, after this kind of primer, sanding is always necessary.

These products are very covering, dry quickly, and are intended to be sanded. They can be sanded easily, either dry or wet, and create a smooth, perfect and flawless surface.

For spray products, there are single-component consumer sprays and two-component professional sprays, which are much more effective in terms of surface build-up.

Topcoat for rim paint

Accessories for rim paint