How long does wheel painting last?

So you like the look of gorgeous, custom-painted wheels but don’t fancy the thought of it all flaking off by lunchtime? We don’t blame you! So how long does wheel painting really last? And does it make a difference who does the painting (read: can you do it yourself in the garage on a Sunday afternoon?)?

At Salt City Wheels, our trained team of Utah-based wheel professionals have been repairing, restoring, and custom-refinishing wheels for donkey’s years. If the donkey is about eight years old. Which, in donkey years, is quite significant, let me tell you. So who better to give you the level truth about wheel painting and all associated mysteries?

If the surface to be painted is correctly prepared and the proper paint is used, the life of the finish can be indefinite. Have you ever seen a paint rush-job, where the Fabulous-Finish-Hopeful didn’t sand or prime the surface, applied the paint with an old paintbrush when it was hot and dusty and windy, and the resulting finish (shockingly) was lumpy, uneven and covered with dust specks, loose paint bristles and the odd piece of unidentifiable flotsam? Eek. 

This is just one reason why it is so vitally important to have a skilled wheel professional paint your wheels. They have the training and experience to know how to prepare the wheel itself, what type of paint is ideal for your specific rims, under what conditions to apply it (and the ability to recreate those ideal conditions) and how to apply the paint for the greatest longevity to the finish.

Car wheels are subjected to the daily heating and cooling of applied brakes, nasty chemicals from inside and outside the engine, and many indescribable road-based horrors, all of which can affect the longevity of the finish. If the right paint is applied in the right way to the right surface under the right conditions, these daily interactions will be like water off a duck’s back (what’s with all the animal analogies?!) to your wheels. As long as nothing happens to compromise the integrity of the protective surface (eg curb rash or crashes), the new paint surface will do what it is supposed to do - protect your wheels and keep them looking uniquely beautiful.

So, in short, if you have your wheels painted by a truly skilled and expert wheel finish pro, your paint finish should basically last forever (wheel-based altercations aside). 

Give Salt City Wheels a call today at 801 425 3044 to schedule your FREE custom wheel refinish consultation. Our mobile wheel experts will have you and your vehicle shouting with rim-related joy in a jiffy!