Just bought "5" "72" Chevelle SS type rims with the "shot glass" type center caps and the rings that are mostly covered by rim when installed. Not like the Rally type wheels with the wide ring that is fully exposed.
I saw a "72SS" Elky at the show this weekend with the rims on it and it looked a lot darker than my "69" Camaro Rally wheels Argent Silver.
They are soda basted and primed now.
Is there any thing else I should do before painting the correct colour?
Whats the best way to know if they are square and true to the hub?
Or any thing else that experience whould know, before I spend any more money on parts that arn't up to par.
TIA John

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"69" CAMARO SS-350-4
"72" MALIBU SPORT COUPE 350
"76" ELCAMINO 350
"91" RS T-TOP 350

John, I went through this a few years back. This is what I used and did.

First, check out Eastwood at eastwoodcompany.com for the product.

I painted my '72 wheels with the Charcaol Gray Rally Wheel Paint from Eastwood. Took about 2 cans for 4 wheels. Several easy coats. I've only had one person tell me that it wasn't the right color but all the research I did tells me it is for the my '72 Elky.

I would recommend getting, again from eastwood, the Diamond Clear Semi Gloss to protect them. I didn't do this but if I had to I would. I only use my Elky for crusies and shows. The high gloss clear shows too many relfections and is just too shiny plus doesn't look correct for these wheels.

If you have good trim rings, be very careful with the spring steel tabs when installing back on to the wheel. Spring steel is brittle and these clips need to grip just right or you can actually hear squeaking going down the road slow if there not on the wheel right. I heated mine up with a torch slightly and bent them in place.

The same with the center caps, I actually got remanufactured ones from Year One. The tabs on these break easily. I heated those as well and then snapped them into place while hot.

Hope this helps,
David

i just recently (i mean 3 weeks ago) got 4 of those rims for my 71. i am an auto painter by trade and have access to all PPG colors. my books go back to the 50's and no where in there is a wheel color except for the corvette rally which is much lighter. i searched and searched and mixed 4 different colors before i found the one that looked the best. i dont know if you plan on having them profesionally sprayed or not but i used a 2001 wheel color for gm. they are also supposed to semi gloss but i went ahead and cleared them, seems to me to be easier to take care of. the color was medium grey metallic.

PPG DDL32961, its a lacquer and you may not be able to buy it in some states. You can get some good info from this site. http://www.nastyz28.com/2gcog/stegmiller/z28_wheels.htm

BTW the early Z28 wheels are the same as the Chevelle.

Thanks for the info guys. Thanks David for the tips on the clips. Secondgen that was a good site on the rims, Alot of decode info.
Thanks Bud Med Gray Met.

Great site. I like the tip for the mid-80's S-10 4x4 rings. I'll file that one for future reference!

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David Reinecke - aka - FINE 68
1968 Chevelle 300 Sport Coupe Deluxe
www.geocities.com/jdreinecke (http://www.geocities.com/jdreinecke)