New Acquisition

[Lynn]

In another thread, I showed pics of the vintage American Racing 14 x 7 wheels I picked up for cheap for the 57. They are a dead on match to the wheels I have (at least three of them!) other than the gold spokes.

Figured I would post here in the thread about the 57. I decided to paint all four “good” wheels the same color. Just going from memory, I remember most of the American Racing TT wheels as being gray spokes with a machined lip, other than the 200S, Daisy style wheels that came along in the late 60s. Decided on a Charcoal color. Tedious work to be sure. The most time consuming part is masking.

First couple of pics are the wheels I picked up on FB Marketplace. Guy happened to be coming close to my office for another engagement, so he even delivered. Masked all four, sandblasted and painted Charcoal color. Because the spinner bases were just bare pot metal, I also masked off the threads and blasted them. Painted them silver. A new set of chrome lug nuts in the correct thread size, shank size and depth completed the project. Very pleased with the results. I did not put the spinner on the LF, as I am waiting on a spindle washer from Stefano. I am guessing it will be here Monday or Tuesday. I realize there are some flaws in the machined lips, but I am willing to live with them. I wanted genuine vintage parts that would have been on it in the 60's.

To clean up the machined lip, I used regular old rubbing compound (white with very low abrasive content) followed by regular car wax. I am guessing the ONLY way to stop the very slight oxidation would be clear coat; but I just don't want to go there. Anyone have any secrets to preserving the machined lip appearance without clear coat?