'74 Rally Wheel Paint

[Raymond W.]

I'm looking to repaint 5 ralley wheels on my '74. I need some help from the board here to clarify and confirm some information. I'm looking at purchasing from OEM Paints their Argent Silver without the green hue (#11020) along with their Steel Wheel Finish, Black (#12020). Based on other's judging experiences, is this the correct Argent Silver...and also the correct Black gloss? If not, are there other and better sources from where to purchase this paint? How many can's of each will be needed for painting 5 wheels? What kind of prep work should I undergo prior to painting? Thanks.

[Bill E.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Hi Ray,

I just completed refinishing the rim for my spare. As you know, I don't have my car NCRS judged so my comments are more to technique than correctness.

First, I had the rim sandblasted. If I had to do it again I would have had it dipped. More about this below. I then used a self etching primer on the bare metal. For the black paint I used a Seymour MRO High Solids Industrial Coating. For the silver I used "Correct Rally Wheel Argent Silver" part # 642176 from Corvette Central. This paint is made by Seymour.

As to results, the sandblasting etched the rim more than I expected. The combination of the primer and the High Solids black worked very well. The silver, however, allowed the etching to show through. Not a pebble finish, but not glass smooth.

Hope this helps. I'll be attending both the Spring Chapter Meeet and the Candlewood Club Show. Hope to see you there. Bill

[Raymond W.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Thanks Bill...I appreciate your insights as well as your prior experience with the sandblasting. Please share the date of the Spring Chapter Meet...I'd like to attend. Regards, Ray

[Bill E.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Ray, good question on the Spring Chapter date. Last year it was on April 25th and announced in the Winter 2003 Northeast News. I either didn't get or lost the Winter News. I'll call Jerry next week and find out. Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Ray,

I don't believe that the green tinted argent silver paint is correct for a 74. I think that is a 69 tint.

I think that 74 is the "true" silver as would be my 71 and 72.

Someone will let us know if I'm incorrect. My knowledge drops off a fair amount after late July of 1972...

Patrick

[Raymond W.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Patrick,

Based on your input and a review of a few archived threads, it appears that the regular argent silver is the correct color for my '74. I always appreciate any/all information I receive from this board. I'm still hoping to hear more...i.e. inside black color, preparation of the wheels, paint sources, amount of paint?

Thanks, Ray

[Patrick H.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Inside black would be a medium gloss. I have one from 1985 (OTC GM piece) that is much glossier than any of my 71/72 pieces, including original spares. Preparation? Either liquid stripper, or consider the sand blast. Best would be a commercial prep oven that would bake off the paint. You local engine builder might have one, or know of one.

If it were me, I'd have them stripped even commercially if needed, then either powder coat with medium gloss black (THIN coat) or have them painted in black. Then hang them, and have a painter friend shoot them with enamel Argent Silver, which almost any paint jobber can mix for you. That would be the best.

I have 4 in my garage right now that need this. 2 are excellent, and I may get by stripping the paint off the front with a liquid paint stripper and then repainting silver. The down side of sand/bead blasting is tht the media can get caught in the crevice between the hub and rim, and easily seen from the outside of the rim.

So there you go. Some suggestions.

[Raymond W.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Glad I asked...many thanks for the added insights.

[John H.]

Re: '74 Rally Wheel Paint

Just as a point of reference, here's the back side of an untouched original '69 Camaro Z/28 rally wheel showing the black dip-primer and slight overspray of argent silver through the slots from the front (same wheel painting process as St. Louis).