How to Refinish Aluminum Rims

On an automobile, the "rim" actually refers to the wheel of a vehicle. On many modern production vehicles, new automobiles are fitted with aluminum or alloy rims. The tire fits over the rim and comprises the wheel and tire assembly. Every year, aftermarket wheel designers create new and different styles of rims. There is usually no need to purchase these aftermarket rims, other than aesthetic purposes. If you are looking for ways to give your vehicle a new look, you can always refinish your existing aluminum rims for much less money than what it would cost you to buy new wheels.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rustoleum Paint (Any Color)
• 600 Grit Sandpaper
• Newspaper
• Masking Tape
• Clean Rag
• Jack with Jack Stands
• Tire Wrench
• Torque Wrench

1. Turn the lug nuts on the wheel 45 degrees with a tire wrench. Place the socket end of the tire wrench over the end of the lug nut and turn the lug nut counterclockwise. You need to loosen the lug nuts without causing the wheel to become unseated from the wheel hub. Once you jack the vehicle off the ground, it will be very difficult to break the lug nuts loose, so you should do it now while the tire is still on the ground.

2. Jack up the front and rear of the vehicle using the front and rear jack points, respectively. Use the floor jack and jack stands, placing the jack stands underneath the front and rear pinch welds of the vehicle.

3. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel off the wheel hub assembly. Since the vehicle is off the ground and the weight has been removed from the wheel, it's now safe to finish removing the lug nuts and remove the wheel.

4. Lay the aluminum rims flat on the ground and use the newspaper and masking tape to mark off areas you do not want painted.

5. Sand down the rims with 600 grit sandpaper. Make sure you remove all of the old finish from the wheels. By using 600 grit sandpaper, you'll be using a grit that is fine enough to remove the old finish, but not so harsh that it will ruin the surface of the rim.

6. Apply Rustoleum paint to the rims. You can use Rustoleum due to its excellent weather-resistant properties. Rustoleum also does not need to be primed before application, making the process simpler and easier. Apply three coats of paint to the rims, allowing each coat to dry before applying another. Drying times may vary depending on the type of paint you get (for example: metallic versus crinkle coat versus high gloss) and the temperature you are painting in (mild versus humid). Drying times will be specified on the can of paint you choose.

7. Remove the newspaper and masking tape and put the wheels back on the vehicle.

8. Tighten the lug nuts, lower the vehicle to the ground and torque the lugs nuts to 100- foot-pounds using a torque wrench. Set the dial on the torque wrench to "100 foot-pounds" and tighten the lug nuts until the clutch disc in the wrench slips. You will hear a "click" indicating that the desired torque has been reached. In the case of a digital torque wrench, tighten the lug nuts until the wrench reads "100 foot-pounds."

Tips & Warnings

• Always rest the vehicle on the jack stands and never rely on the jack to support the vehicle.

References

• Automotive Body Repair and Painting Manual by Haynes; Jay D. Storer, John H. Haynes; 1994