How to Paint Motorcycle Wheels | Preparation & Custom Paint

Painting motorcycle wheels is a great way to transform the appearance of a cafe racer or custom motorcycle. Whether you're restoring tired original wheels or creating a completely different look, the quality of the finished result depends heavily on preparation.

In this guide, we look at the process of painting motorcycle wheels, starting with removing the wheel and stripping away old paint. We'll look at preparing the surface for new paint, choosing suitable wheel paint and protecting areas that shouldn't be painted.

Masking the tire is another important part of the process, particularly when painting a wheel with the tire still fitted. Once the basic finish is complete, we'll also look at creating a more distinctive custom wheel finish using additional masking and paint effects.

From a simple colour change to a more elaborate custom design, painting the wheels can be one of the easiest ways to make a big visual difference to a cafe racer or custom motorcycle.