VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Painted Wheel Stripes

Hello to all!

I keep getting a little time every now and then to work on my '37 Master Coupe. I would not call it progress but movement in the right direction.

The wheels need painted mainly due to the paint damage done when full wheel covers were installed. I have the original hub caps and want to use them.

The question: Should I try to mask and preserve the original painted stripes on the wheels or just bite the bullet and repaint the whole visible side of the wheel? Then I would paint new white stripes on the black wheel. I have already repainted the inside surfaces.

Your comments and guidance will be appreciated.

I know what you mean. After I got my rims sandblasted and painted,I sure hated to scratch that beautiful paint up by putting on the beauty ring and hubcap. Every time you remove them you get another flaw. As far as putting the stripes back on..that could be hard to do unless you know someone really talented. I never put mine back on the rims.If you didn't do a good job it would look really bad.

I had my wheels powder coated and restriped by an area pinstriper. He mounted the wheels on an old axle he had and spun them slowly while applying the stripes. Shown is my spare tire that was still good enough to keep the original paint and one of the other wheels following the restripe.

Hi Tiny and Steve!

After looking at the pictures I was shocked when I realized that Steve's wheels were not chromed and reversed rims!

As much as I want to keep things original I think I need to go for the full refinish and new stripes. Tiny and I must have been connected in a past life. His suggestions about keeping one wheel as a pattern, using a local pinstripe expert, and spinning it on the axle were the same as some of my thoughts.

Look out, you're going to give him ideas.

Rusty, Steve and Tiny...

EXACTLY what I did when I did the wheels on my '42 some years back. The
spare still looked good, after some polishing. So didn't do it.

After shelling out the money for all that, I did not put on trim rings.
No way was I going to scratch up the wheels. Also didn't want to cover up
the 'outside' stripe on the wheels.

Bill.

I think Steve's wheels are chromed on the other side. He just puts them on backward with the green showing for photos he shows us! As for original stripes, my spare is in great original shape and I have a guy who says he can duplicate the stripes on the other four rims whenever I am ready as I really prefer the original look. However, the way I feel right now, I guess I will have to give his name to my kids so they can have the rims done!! Beamer

Beugler sells a nifty striping kit--you can get the tool, three sizes of wheels, a guide magnet and manual for about $100 from TCP Global or elsewhere on the web. I used this kit to stripe all the red trim on my 38's grille and door handles, as well as the pinstripe on the body belt and the stripes on the wheels.

To do the wheels, I spun them on an axle, using the striping tool and one of the guides that are provided. All of this came out pretty well. If you goof once, wipe off the paint quickly and try again!

Good luck,

Jim

Thanks to all for the recommendations. I know the end result will be look better with a complete repaint.