Car rim: assembly, painting and price

The rim of your car is part of the wheel: this is the element on which the tire is mounted. There are different materials and sizes of rims. The choice of a suitable rim primarily depends on its dimensions. But car rims also play an aesthetic role and can be customized.

🔍 How to choose a car rim?

La car rim this is what connects the tire to the hub. This is a wheel-and-rim assembly that forms the wheel of your vehicle. Thus, it not only fulfills an aesthetic role, but also fulfills an important function. You have to choose your car rim according to several criteria, the first of which is size.

There are indeed several sizes of rims. We express diameter discs inch... For cars, this diameter starts at 12 "(small city cars) and typically goes up to 20" (4x4 and large engines). To find out which size to choose for your rims is simple: observe the size of rims set by your car manufacturer.

You will find these dimensions in your vehicle's service journal. But the markings on the sidewall of the tire also let you know the diameter of the rim. Thus, the tire indicating 205/55 R 16 91 V a you need 16 ″ rims. This is also called the tire engagement diameter.

The rim of the car is also selected according to the material from which it is made. There are three:

• Discs aluminum ;
• Discs sheet metal ;
• Discs alloy.

Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, aluminum discs are lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, but often more fragile and more expensive than sheet metal discs. These are the cheapest rims, but they are not very pretty: the hubcap will be an essential accessory if you are attached to the aesthetics of your car.

Finally, aluminum wheels are the most expensive. However, they are much more aesthetically pleasing than sheet metal rims and are very light, resulting in good driving comfort (road stability and stopping distance).

🚘 How to repaint a car rim?

You can repaint the rims of your car with spray paint using a special car paint. It is very difficult to paint the discs when they are in the car, so we advise you to disassemble them for a cleaner operation. Discs can only be repainted after cleaning and grinding the disc.

Material:

• Rim paint
• brush
• Sandpaper
• Spray paint primer
• Клей

Step 1: Prepare the rim

Set yourself up in a ventilated area, indoors to protect yourself from wind and dust. Protect the environment from protrusions with a protective tarpaulin. Put on a mask and goggles. Then disassemble the wheels to remove the discs from the vehicle.

Prepare the surface for painting by cleaning the rims with soapy water and a degreaser. Thoroughly remove rust, dirt and paint flakes: the surface to be painted must be very smooth. Brush clean, then sand the rim with 400 to 600 grit sandpaper.

Step 2: apply primer

After the rim of the car is clean, dry and sanded, you need to apply a primer or primer. Before doing this, prepare the wheel with glue to mask parts you don't want to paint.

Use a suitable paint depending on the material (aluminum, etc.). Apply one to two coats of primer, letting it dry well between each coat. This will allow the finish paint to adhere better.

Step 3: apply paint

When the last coat of primer is completely dry, the topcoat can be applied. Use a special car paint. Apply paint by holding the can upright, about two inches from the rim of the car. Let dry, then apply a second coat.

Depending on the type of paint you choose, you may need to varnish it. Wait for the paint to dry before applying. Finally, remove the glue before everything is completely dry. Let dry overnight before reassembling wheels.

👨‍🔧 How to measure a car rim?

There are several sizes of rims and it is important to choose the one that suits your vehicle. To do this, you can refer to the markings on the rim. It looks like this: 8J x 16 H2 ET35... This is what this marking means:

• 8: this width rim in inches;
• 16: this diameter rim, also expressed in inches;
• ET35: this compensate rim, that is, the distance between the mounting surface and the symmetry surface of the wheel, expressed in millimeters.

The letter J is cheek profile rims of your car. There are also several types here, of which J is the most common. This corresponds to the so-called passenger cars. You can also find B for passenger cars with 6" rim width (J and B cheekpieces are not compatible), JJ for 4×4, and S, T, V, or W for utilities. Classic cars usually have a P or K.

Finally, H2 corresponds to cut profile (or section) of the car rim. This is the stiffness of the rim and comes in different types. H2 is a profile with internal and external curvature.

🔧 How to remove a car rim?

To remove a car rim from its tire, you will need special machine which is used after pre-lubricating the rim and bead. We do not recommend doing this yourself as you risk damaging the rim or tire.

However, you can remove the wheel yourself. However, it happens that the rim dangles on its support, the hub. Corrosion can cause a car rim to stick to the hub. You can try to apply penetrating, but it will take a long time to act (at least a good hour).

Another option is to use penetrating rust inhibitor... Leave it on for a few minutes before using the jersey to remove the rim.

🚗 How to fit a car tire to a rim?

The installation of a new tire on a car rim must be entrusted to a professional. Indeed, this one will be able to resort to specific car on which he will install the rim before installing the tire. While you can completely replace the wheel yourself, it is not recommended to install the tire yourself as you do not have the necessary tools.

In addition, you need to dobalancing tires after assembling them, and this also requires a special machine. Installing a new car tire in your garage is inexpensive and safe.

💧 How to clean a car rim?

Car rims get dirty quickly due to dirt, rain, dust, etc. Do not wait for them to get too dirty before washing them, as the varnish may be damaged. Aluminum rims are also more prone to oxidation.

To clean your car rims, you have several options:

• Le Karcher or cleaning in washing station ;
• Le homemade vinegar ;
• from cleansing cream.

Indeed, washing in a car wash or with a water jet does not always return the shine to very dirty discs. In this case, it will be necessary to rub with a brush or a non-scratching sponge. You can use dishwashing cream, homemade vinegar, or WD 40, but make sure it works well with the material of your rims.

Always use an acid or phosphate free product to avoid damaging your car rim finish. Use a soft brush in the same way to avoid scratching it. Finally, don't be afraid to finish cleaning with polish for a shiny finish.

💰 How much does a car rim cost?

The price of a car rim depends on several criteria, including material (sheet metal, aluminum, alloy) and diameter. So count between 50 and 80 € for 15 '' sheet metal rim versus From 70 to 140 € for an aluminum rim of the same size. Alloy wheels are the most expensive: count at least 200 €... You can buy car rims in a garage, auto center, or specialty store.

Now you know how to select, tune and maintain car rims! When buying new rims, make sure they are compatible with your vehicle. Entrust their assembly to a professional equipped with the required machine.