How to Paint Your Wheels with a Spray Can Kit

Step by step: wheel

1. Wash off the brake dust

   Wash the wheels well with soap and water, a wheel cleaner like our Dust-Destroying Wheel Cleaner and a scrubber mitt to remove all brake dust and road grime.

2. Dry and wipe clean

   Dry, then wipe with isopropyl alcohol or Sprayway Cleaning Spray.

   💡 Keep the cleaner off the tires.
3. Scuff the whole wheel

   Scuff the whole surface with the gray scuff pads until it is flat and evenly scratched — no shiny spots.

   
4. Rinse and dry

   Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean rag and compressed air.

5. Mask the tires

   Fit the tire masks and mask anything else you don't want painted. Don't let tape bridge onto the wheel.

   
6. Final wipe

   Wipe with a clean microfiber and isopropyl alcohol right before you spray.

7. Spray the epoxy primer/sealer

   Shake the 1K Epoxy Primer/Sealer can for 45–60 seconds. Spray 1 light coat on all four wheels, wait 5 minutes, then 1 medium wet coat.

   💡 Keep shaking the can between coats. Cold can? Warm it in a bucket of warm water first — never heat it.

   1K Epoxy Primer/Sealer spray can →
   
8. Wait 1 hour

   Let the primer get 100% dry to the touch, then wait 1 hour before basecoat. No sanding needed inside 24 hours.

9. Spray the basecoat

   Shake the color can for 45–60 seconds. Spray 2–4 medium coats, 10 minutes (or until matte) between coats, until you have full color and an even effect.

   💡 Metallics and pearls: finish with one light control coat so the flake lays evenly.

   Alpha wheel paint kit →
   
10. Wait 30 minutes to 1 hour

    At 70°F or warmer, spray clear 30 minutes to 1 hour after the entire surface, even cracks and crevices, is completely dry to the touch.

11. Spray the 2K clearcoat

    Activate the 2K can: flip it, remove the plug and pull off the metal ring, put the ring through the lug on the bar, then pull out and turn 360°. Shake hard for 45–60 seconds, then spray 2–3 wet coats. Recoat when the masking feels fingerprinty (about 10 minutes) and check the masking between coats.

    💡 Activate the clear only when you are ready to spray — it has a 24 hour pot life.

    2K HS clearcoat spray can →
    
12. Unmask after 30 minutes

    Pull the tape and masking off after 30 minutes, while the clear is still soft, so it leaves a clean edge.

13. Let it cure 8 hours

    Give it 8 hours before mounting and 12 hours before polishing. Flip every can upside down and spray until it runs clear so the nozzle is saved for next time.