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How to Import Paints Into Iracing

Learn how to import paints into iRacing fast. Step-by-step fix for iRacing drivers: extract to the right folder, restart the sim, and select the paint in Garage.

If you’re dealing with how to import paints into iRacing, the quick answer is: extract the paint package into your Documents\iRacing\paint folder (no extra nesting), restart iRacing, then pick it in Garage → Paints. You’re in the right place — here’s exactly what to do and why.

Quick Answer — how to import paints into iracing

Most downloaded paints are zipped folders. Extract the paint folder directly into Documents\iRacing\paint (so the paint’s files sit inside that folder). Restart iRacing and open Garage → Paints to select the new skin.

What’s really going on

iRacing reads custom paint jobs from a specific folder on your PC. When a paint comes in a zip, people often leave an extra top-level folder or don’t extract at all — which hides the files from iRacing. The sim won’t see nested zips or misplaced files. If the folder structure is correct and the paint matches the car model, iRacing will list it in the Garage paint selector.

Step-by-step fix

Download the paint zip from your source (community site, friend, or paint repo).
Right-click the zip and choose Extract Here or Extract to folder. You should get one folder that contains the paint files (textures, .ini, etc.).
Move that folder into Documents\iRacing\paint (Windows). The correct path is usually C:\Users<YourName>\Documents\iRacing\paint.
Check the folder contents: you should see texture files (.dds or .png) and a small config file; don’t have extra folders between the paint folder and the texture files.
Fully quit iRacing and restart the launcher (a simple reload may not pick up new files).
In iRacing, go to Garage → Paints (or the car selector paint tab). Find and apply your new paint. If it doesn’t show, try restarting your PC or re-extracting directly to the paint folder.

Extra tips / checklist

Don’t leave the zip compressed; iRacing won’t read inside zip files. Extract first.
Avoid double-folders: Documents\iRacing\paint\paintname\files is correct; Documents\iRacing\paint\paintname\paintname\files is not.
Make sure the paint matches the car (paint kits are car-specific). Wrong templates won’t show correctly.
If a downloaded paint includes an installer or README, follow any install notes — some creators provide a one-click installer.
If paints still don’t appear, clear your sim cache or verify your game installation in the launcher.

FAQs — how to import paints into iracing

Q: Where exactly do I put the paint folder?
A: In Documents\iRacing\paint (usually C:\Users<YourName>\Documents\iRacing\paint). Extract the files so textures are directly inside the paint’s folder.

Q: I extracted it but the paint doesn’t show — what then?
A: Check for extra folder nesting, confirm the paint matches the car, fully restart iRacing, and try again. If needed, redownload and re-extract.

Q: Can I import paints from the iRacing website?
A: Some community paints link to manual downloads. If the Member Site offers an upload/download tool, follow the site’s instructions — otherwise use the local folder method above.

Q: Are all paint file types supported?
A: Painters normally use .dds or .png textures packaged for iRacing. If a package lacks those, it’s likely not a complete iRacing paint.

Short wrap-up

Most paint import issues come from wrong extraction or wrong location. Extract the paint folder straight to Documents\iRacing\paint, restart iRacing, and select it in Garage → Paints. If that fails, recheck folder structure and car compatibility — then you’ll be back on track with your new skin.