Do you want to make your new aluminum ATV wheels look special and are not sure if the paint will stick? You have arrived at the right place. I had my fair share of trial and error with ATV paints, even wrote a guide about choosing the best paint for ATV frame, and now I will show you the best way to paint aluminum wheels.
Stock aluminum ATV wheels can be painted. They are clear coated straight out of the factory and this means that paint will stick to the aluminum ATV wheel surface as it would with any other sort of metal. The best way to paint aluminum ATV wheels is to powder coat them. The price is around $20 and this includes sandblasting the old stuff.
Want to know what is a good paint for ATV wheels? Or are you curious what is the best way to prepare stock tires for paint? You should keep reading because I will do my best to answer all your questions. I’ll also include a YouTube video towards the end that shows how to paint aluminum ATV wheels.
Can You Paint Aluminum ATV Wheels?
The best way to paint aluminum ATV wheels is to powder coat them. You can use any sort of paint because the stock aluminum wheels will be clear coated. However, the paint will start chipping away soon and this is why choosing to powder coat them is your best option. In general, the price to powder coat aluminum wheels is around $20 per wheel. This is not very expensive when considering that the paint will last for a much longer time in comparison with regular spray paint.
If you like doing stuff yourself and don’t want to visit the paint shop, you can choose to use a bed liner spray on your ATV aluminum wheels. Here is a quick rundown on how you can paint your ATV wheels:
- Sand the wheel (to make sure that the paint sticks to the surface);
- Clean the wheels and use duct tape to cover the rubber;
- Add primer;
- Use spray paint to make them your favorite color (Bedliner sprays are best because they don’t clog);
- Wait for the spray paint to dry and you are good to go.
Talking about ATV wheels, I need to mention that learning how to patch tires is an essential skill that all riders need to know. You never know what can happen trail riding and being prepared for the worst scenario is the best way to stay safe. You can check out my how-to patch ATV tires guide here.
Will Paint Stick to Aluminum Wheels?
Spray paint will stick to aluminum wheels as long as the surface has been cleaned of all debris. The best way to make sure that paint sticks to aluminum wheels is to use sandpaper to clean the surface. That’s not all. Primer is also required to make paint stick on all types of metal. However, the best way to make sure that paint sticks to aluminum wheels is to use powder coating.
How Do You Prep Aluminum Wheels for Paint?
Whether you want to paint your ATV, dirt bike, or even car aluminum wheels, prepping the surface for paint is essential if you don’t want it to start chipping off in the first couple of days. The wheel can be prepped by cleaning the surface of all debris. Next, you have to sand the wheels and use a primer to make sure that paint has a leveled surface where it can stick. Below you can find a full video guide that shows how to prep aluminum wheels for paint.
What is the Best Paint for Aluminum ATV Wheels?
The key to making the paint stick to your aluminum ATV wheels is to use a premium product that is designed to last. If you are not sure what is the best paint for your ATV wheels, you don’t need to worry because I will present you my top 2 favorite spray paints that will help you get the job done.
#1 Dupli-Color Black High-Performance Wheel Paint
The reason why I picked the Dupli-Color Black High-Performance Wheel Performance as my favorite paint is because it’s an all-in-1 product. The spray paint works as abrasive prep tip, color match paint, and clear coat. Thanks to this, you don’t need to get an extra primer. From checking the reviews, I noticed that everyone claims the spray paint is glossy and it does a fantastic job of protecting the aluminum wheels from peeling and flaking.
#2 VHT SP187 Gloss Black Wheel Paint
The VHT SP187 Gloss Black Wheel Paint is an Amazon’s Choice product with more than 1,000 positive ratings. You can get the paint in the following colors: Gloss Clear, Aluminum, Chevy Rally Silver, Gloss Black, Graphite, Matte Clear, and Ford Agent Silver. What makes this spray paint special is the fact that it features superior heat and chemical resistance. The specifics show that the paint can withstand temperatures of up to 9000 degrees as long as it has been cured properly.
Final Words
If you are looking to make your ATV look cooler by painting the aluminum wheels, you should be pleased to know that you can use any color you want. The best way to paint the wheels is to powder coat them because this method ensures that the paint will last. It won’t chip off or start peeling after you take the ATV on muddy roads.
