Topic: '65 Stock Steel Wheel-Black

[Skyway65]

I'm getting ready to spray the stock steel wheels this week and I needed to find out if they should be semi-gloss or gloss black; MCA rules simply say "black." Thanks in advance.

[Brant]

Gary,

The earlier production ones (not sure as it got into 1966) that we have seen have leaned more towards a gloss black rather than semi-gloss black.  I believe that we used about a 70% gloss.

[Skyway65]

Thanks for that Brant.  It's hard to tell from the originals how glossy they actually were. These are from a Jan '65 Dearborn car, if that is a factor. 

[Brant]

Actually, some of the glossy wheels that we looked at were original paint wheels from a Jan. '65 Dearborn car.  I figure that semi-gloss black will be "accepted" more readily, but it is just not what we have observed.  By the way, the wheels themselves appear to have been semi-gloss black, and then the front faces are sprayed with this glossier black.

[mgmradio]

The original wheels on my 10K mile dearborn vert are more of a semigloss.No were near as glossy as yours Brant.

[Skyway65]

From the paint that is remaining in the center section, covered and protected by the tire, it seems to be less glossy than a true gloss paint.  Would anyone happen to know if Ford had a paint code, or a specification sheet, for their supplier to follow available for this application?

[Brant]

From the paint that is remaining in the center section, covered and protected by the tire, it seems to be less glossy than a true gloss paint.  Would anyone happen to know if Ford had a paint code, or a specification sheet, for their supplier to follow available for this application?

Gary,

On the wheels that I observed the entire wheel appeared to be painted a semi-gloss to flatter type black primer or something, and then the face was painted the glossier black.

I don't have any paper work or codes.  I'm just going by a bunch of earlier (Jan. 65 and earlier) Dearborn Mustang wheels that I have looked at.

Things certainly could have changed or perhaps not been consistent as Mike suggests in his post about his original later built car.

[J_Speegle]

The original wheels on my 10K mile dearborn vert are more of a semigloss.No were near as glossy as yours Brant.

 +1 all of the original I have and have had are no where close to the gloss that the example appears to have. IMHO that level might get a small point deduction at a show

[Skyway65]

The wheels and tires are ready to reinstall.  I went with semi gloss black-it seemed the closest to what the original paint was, original wheel weights are looking nice too!



Steve-that's your wheel in the photo

[C5ZZKGT]

The wheels and tires are ready to reinstall.  I went with semi gloss black-it seemed the closest to what the original paint was, original wheel weights are looking nice too!



Steve-that's your wheel in the photo

Curious as to what you used for valve stems and caps on this VERY original looking setup??

[Skyway65]

I used the NPD "concours correct" stems and caps.  Always the best stuff and service from NPD.

[C5ZZKGT]

I used the NPD "concours correct" stems and caps.  Always the best stuff and service from NPD.

OK, Thanks!! What about the tires themselves-are they repros or NOS? I can't seem to tell what the brand is...Firestone??

[Skyway65]

I wish they were Firestones.  For some reason no one seems to be reproducing the correct Deluxe Champion tires that came on most '65 Mustangs. The tires I have are the Coker reproduction BF Goodrich Silvertown Bias Ply. 

[ChrisV289]

Sorry to resurrect this old topic, but what kind of paint did you use on the wheels or what is everyone else using?  I finally got a set of date code correct wheels for my car to use for MCA shows only and I need to have them blasted.  Also with the paint being used, will it chip a lot when taking the hubcaps on and off?

[CharlesTurner]

You're not going to find any paint that will withstand scratching from installing/removing wheel covers.  Best thing you can do is apply a coat of black epoxy primer and then a good catalyzed semi-gloss black.