Paint on 71 wheels

[Ed Levine]

I would like to re-paint my wheel rims on my 71 Vette. What paint and color is best and original? Also is there an original paint color for the brake calipers and other showing parts? Thanks for the information and guidance.

[Joe L.]

Re: Paint on 71 wheels

Ed------

There were many different "shades" of the Argent Silver paint used on Corvette wheels over the 67-82 period. Quanta sells an Argent Silver for this purpose which is "typical" of the shade most commonly used. Theirs is the one that I use and recommend. Quanta no longer sells the "greenish hue" argent silver that was originally used on 1968-70 models, though. OEM Paints does have available this paint (for a high price per can), but you don't need it for a 1971.

The brake calipers were originally painted a semi-flat black on all non-machined surfaces. Some calipers may not have been painted, at all, though. The ones on my original owner 69 were not originally painted. They are now, though.

For the calipers I recommend the semi-gloss black caliper paint available from VHT. This is a special formulation to resist heat and brake fluid. It's a little glossier than original, but its other qualities make it the one to use.