VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 1937/1938 wheel pinstriping

I sent some '37/'38 wheels off to the sandblaster. I saved one back because it had red pin striping which I assumed to be original. Circling the hub cap was a wide stripe with a hairline stripe both inboard and outboard of it. There was also a stripe on the rim, not quite centered on the valve stem hole. Is this correct striping?
I began to doubt that it was original when I power washed the wheel and some black paint came off to reveal gray primer below. The stripes could be correct but not original. If they are not correct, I will not bother saving this wheel for a pattern. Please help.

Mike

Going from memory - There is a double stripe (one thick + one thin) in one location and a single stripe in another area of the rim. I have 5 originals hidden away. I'll climb up and visit them in the next hour and see about primer and get some pictures for you.

Tiny duplicated his original stripes so worth searching for his posts as I recall he detailed the painting of the new stripes

My memory was close but no cigar. Attached a couple pictures. The stripes are ALMOST evenly spaced but not quite 100% even though it looks like they were trying for symmetrical. All 5 wheels I have are the same and appear to be original. I don't see any primer but maybe it was a very light coat of primer and varied by factory.

The stripes themselves are quickly done like production would be. Little bit streaky lengthwise. I should have measured the stripes though pinstriping kits only have a few size wheels so should be easy to replicate. Strangely enough I bought a vintage pinstriping kit locally in the last few days. For $5 in the box it's at least good garage art if it doesn't work well.


I also have to thank Tiny for hauling these rims around and getting them shipped to me here in Canada about 13 years ago. I'm sure he recalls as it was a PIA!

You are welcome Tim. There is a stripe around the rim roughly even with the valve stem. I'll post a picture when I get on the other computer where my images are stored. The color of the striping varies with the body color of the car. If I remember right the Chevs of the 40s catalogue has that info inside the front cover.

I remember your stripe photos and the valve stem that why I originally pictured a single strip off by itself.

Actually I looked at my pictures above more closely and both rims have this stripe but really, really faded like it was over-waxed or wiped with solvent.

I do wonder if the 37 and 38 stipes were exactly the same? The rims are for these two years exclusively from what I recall but were they striped the same...

Tim,
My hairline stripes are thinner than those in your photo. My fat stripe might be fatter. The rim stripe is wide (1/4"?).
If there is a difference between '37/'38, it is the '38 I need. I'll get a picture posted tonight or tomorrow. Thanks.

Mike

My OEM spare wheel along side the freshly powder coated and striped wheels plus an up close of one of the wheels before blasting, powder coat and striping. Keep in mind the striping was done by hand on the assembly line so you'll see some variation.

Tiny, your wheels look great! Did you do them, or did you find someone who knows the almost lost art of pinstriping?

I found a striper in Wichita. He had an old Chevy rear end laying around so he mounted each wheel then spun them to do the stripes.

Tiny was that with a pinstriping brush or the wheel type striping kit? Thanks

I wasn't there when he did it but I've never seen him use anything but a brush.

While the wheel shown is from a 1948, here are a couple pictures of DYI pin stripping. Build up the hub on a water pump with masking tape to match the diameter of the center of the wheel. Secure the water pump on a table with a proper thickness spacer under it so when the wheel is mounted it will spin. Notice that the wheel is positioned next to a vice with a block of wood in it to use a a steady rest for the hand held Mack sword pin stripping brush. Mack brushes are available in various sizes (thicknesses) on Amazon. 1 Shot lettering enamel is available in various colors both on Amazon and locally. I found that the stripping works better if you thin the paint a bit. Mistakes can be wiped off with paint thinner. Practice on an old wheel until you the feel.

Waterpump is a great idea! Everyone should have at least one spare or dead one around. I was picture a trailer hub or similar but like the waterpump better.
I do like the look of maybe a bit thicker stripe.

This older post is relevant.

My decision at the time was to just repaint the area where the full wheel cover retainers had damaged the paint. I masked the wheel so all the original stripes were protected.

Painted Wheel Stripes

When this thread started the other day I took a picture of the wheel with the best stripes that is on the car today. I did not realize how much they had faded over the time I have been driving the car. For those few of you who have seen my car know that while it is decent looking it is not a beauty queen and it gets used a lot.

Compare the picture from 2018 to the new one.

The stripe color is what Chevy called Tokico Ivory. That was the color of the stripes for cars painted black in 1937.

All of the pin stripe artists that i have watched worked use brushes that they have trimmed to various sizes and tapers.

George Gosheff #14946 put on the VCCA web site a detailed drawing of the correct wheel and body pinstripping for the 1938 Passenger Cars.

Hi timbeilby,

Thank you for posting that information.

However I cannot find that article in the technical articles section. Am I looking in the right place?

Thank you!

Rusty
I am going to try and put this print that I have on this page.
They talk about Attachment Manager, Full Post, Attacment.
They do not make it easy, so I will not be posting this imformation.

Posting pictures see here:

https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/436976/how-to-post-a-photo.html#Post436976

Here's George Gosheff's information.

Cheers, Dean