A popular hobby among automotive enthusiasts is car restoration and customization. You can customize nearly every portion of your vehicle to suit your own personal style or preference. Wheels are commonly painted or decorated to provide a sense of unique style. Painting the rims gold on a car is becoming a popular choice for enthusiasts. While the task of painting your rims gold may seem intimidating, you can easily paint them within a few hours.
Select the gold paint you want to use. You can buy inexpensive gold spray paint at your local automotive or hardware store. Choose a paint that can withstand high temperatures. Alternatively, you can visit a specialty automotive paint supplier to view higher quality wheel paint. In addition, select a paint primer to prepare the rims for painting.
Clean the rims of your car by using a car wash soap and water solution. Thoroughly clean all areas of the rims. Use a degreasing solution to remove any grease spots. Dry the wheels thoroughly with an absorbent cloth.
Using 300 grit sandpaper, lightly sand the car's rims to provide an adhesive surface for the gold paint. If any rust is present on the rims, remove it using 100 grit sandpaper, or an automotive paint grinder.
Clean the wheels again using car wash soap solution and water. Dry them using a soft, absorbent cloth. Carefully inspect each rim to make sure it is smooth and clean so the paint can properly adhere to the surface.
Mask the rubber tires, wheel well, and car body to prevent accidental paint sprays. Use masking tape and masking paper to cover all areas you want to protect.
Prime the rims using paint primer. Hold the primer spray can approximately eight inches from the rims, and use a slow left-to-right motion to apply the primer evenly. Continue this process slowly moving from top to bottom, until the entire rim is covered. Repeat for all rims and follow the primer's directions for drying time.
Gently sand the primer using 300 grit sand paper. This will smooth out rough sprays on the rim, and provide better adhesion for the final paint. Then, wipe off the rims with a damp cloth to remove sanding dust. Allow the rims to dry.
Paint the rims using the gold spray paint. Hold the can approximately eight inches from the rims, and spray using an even left-to-right motion. To prevent paint runs, avoid spraying one area for too long. Repeat this process for each rim. Apply a second coat if necessary, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for drying time and reapplication time.
Remove masking tape and masking paper, and allow the paint to dry before driving. Keep the rims way from dust or bugs until the paint has dried thoroughly.
