Original 10 spoke finish?

[1175]

To the experts.  What is the proper finish for the outer rim and flat surfaces of the spokes on a 67 10 spoke wheel?  Is it a brushed aluminum look or more of a tooled finish?  Also on the clear, what type of sheen?

Thanks
Jon

[Bob Gaines]

To the experts.  What is the proper finish for the outer rim and flat surfaces of the spokes on a 67 10 spoke wheel?  Is it a brushed aluminum look or more of a tooled finish?  Also on the clear, what type of sheen?

Thanks
Jon

The rim and the top of the spokes are a machined finish . The wheels are put into a lathe and turned to accomplish the finish. There are more wheel repair services that work on aluminum wheels in cities all over the country today then ever before. I would check with one of them to see if they can do the turning.  Between the spokes is bare cast aluminum .  Also a rough bare unmachined look on the backside of the rim. FYI that rough look is a way to tell a original period correct wheel.  Later Shelby made wheels were machined on the backside just like the front side. In later 68 (too late for 68 production) it was found that by machining the back side was one of the ways the wheels were made to clear the 68 one piece calipers.

[1175]

Bob,

As always thanks for the quick and thoughtful reply.  Is there a clear finish applied as well?  If so, what type of sheen on the clear?

Thanks
Jon

[Bob Gaines]

Bob,

As always thanks for the quick and thoughtful reply.  Is there a clear finish applied as well?  If so, what type of sheen on the clear?

Thanks
Jon

Yes there was a finish on them originally but the finish was problematic. It would darken ,bubble up and peel or flake off. The finish when new was a gloss. Most don't use a finish because of the problems. Modern techniques may provide better results but I don't have any experience with what is used on modern production aluminum wheels . I don't think modern repro wheels have a clear coating.