Drive on any road in the UK, and you cannot fail to notice that we are a car-proud nation. From the latest vehicle models to aesthetically pleasing features, add-ons, and personalised touches, cars have become a British accessory and a sign of status and trend.
Painted tyres is just one of the ways that drivers can tailor the look of their car and give it an aesthetic edge – but is it worth the hassle? And how do you achieve a professionally painted finish? We answer these questions and more in this blog.
Why Do Drivers Paint Their Tyres?
The motivation behind any vehicle personalisation will vary from one driver to the next – however, painting tyres is typically a very aesthetically-driven decision. That is, adding a coat of paint to your tyres does not alter the way they are driven or their practical function, but it does change the way they look.
Just some of the aesthetic benefits of painting car tyres include:
- Helping your vehicle stand out and become more recognisable – customising the vehicle to your own tastes without spending a lot of money on car body painting and other personalisation techniques
- Creating a more cohesive aesthetic across the car body, wheel alloys and tyres
Of course, these benefits rely on your paint being applied properly, with the right primer and base layers to firmly fix the paint in place. Which is why following the right steps is so important.
How is Paint Applied to Car Tyres?
Paint can only be applied to clean and unpainted tyres – otherwise any dirt, existing flaky paint and grime will immediately affect the look and longevity of the paint. Because of this, step one is to thoroughly clean tyres and prep the surface – allowing it to dry completely before applying any paint.
Using the right paint is a step all of its own. The best paint for car tyres includes:
- UV protection to help prevent discolouration and fading under the sun’s rays
- Oil-based design specifically for tyre rubber, to optimise durability
- Scratch resistance, so that tyre paint doesn’t become chipped when driving
Adding a clear coat on top of your chosen colour, once painting is complete, will help seal the paint and mitigate the risk of damage caused by roads and uneven terrain.
The final step is to use a buffer brush to give the tyre surface a polish, smoothing out any rough surfaces and removing any excess paint build-up.
But is this lengthy and multi-step process actually worth your time?
Is it Worth It?
Now that we’ve covered the process involved in painting your tyres, it’s time to consider the value. Is this something that’s worth your time, or is it a waste of time?
It depends how much you want to tailor and personalise the look of your tyres and your vehicle as a whole. Painting tyres is a unique way to give your vehicle an elevated and enhanced look – without spending a fortune.
Of course, there are challenges. If you forego a professional painter and decide to paint car tyres yourself, you need to follow all the proper steps or else the paint either won’t last, or it will look unfinished and imperfect. What’s more, paint should not be applied on top of existing tyre paint – meaning you need to remove any existing coats of colour before starting on your project.
Following the advice shared in this blog, you should be able to tailor and personalise your tyres with ease. For more advice like this and to discover more about vehicle personalisation options, browse our other blogs in the Tyres.co.uk Knowledge Hub.
