Topic: Was the finish on an original woodgrain wheel gloss or satin?

[dsielke]

I just repaired the cracks in an original wheel and re-fake woodgrained it, now I am going to apply a coat of polyurethane. Was the original finish more of a gloss or a satin finish? Restored wheels I see always look glossy but I suspect they may not have been originally.

[CharlesTurner]

I would say semi-gloss with a little to the more glossy side.  It should not be gloss like the exterior of a car though.

[CharlesTurner]

Looking at your pic, it looks like it was sanded down to the base brown plastic.  There was originally deeper brown color applied over the top of that. 

[dsielke]

Looking at your pic, it looks like it was sanded down to the base brown plastic.  There was originally deeper brown color applied over the top of that.

I know, I use polyshades polyurethane with stain. This is with the first wet coat. 

It actually looks a little lighter in person than this picture, but you get the idea. I got the satin.

[CharlesTurner]

Some pics of an NOS one for comparison.

[dsielke]

Some pics of an NOS one for comparison.

Very helpful, thanks.

[dsielke]

By no means did the restoration come anywhere close to nos, but I am still pretty happy with the results.

[67gtasanjose]

Looks very nice. Was the chrome in nice condition already? (looks nice at a glance in pictures anyways)

[dsielke]

Looks very nice. Was the chrome in nice condition already? (looks nice at a glance in pictures anyways)

Yes, the spokes and stainless rings were in excellent condition to start. I am not sure if they were pitted or damaged the wheel would be worth restoring. This wheel wasn't even missing a single dot, although in the past I have replaced those with ones I have punched out of a pie tin.