Searching for a paint code for wire wheels

[pleask]

Hi all, I just finished searching the forum for anything on paint code suggestions that will look some what stock for my TC wires but with no success (of course, that could be due to me!)

Would anyone happen to be able to suggest a year/make/model of car where as the paint would be close to what came stock on the TC wire wheels please? Or even better, a paint code and make of paint that my local paint shop can cross reference to the brand(s) they carry?

Thanks, Pat

[Steve Simmons]

I don't know of a paint code, but I do know that the shade varied a bit from batch to batch so there is no single correct color. I use the Moss stuff on my wheels. I tried several variants of silver automotive paints and didn't like the looks of any of them. For the most part they were either too silver or too grey.

[pleask]

Thanks Steve, that is sort of my problem... I as well like the MOSS stuff but really would like to get it in the better quality automotive type paint as to a rattle can. Hopefully someone will have a close match to the MOSS stuff.
Pat

[Steve Simmons]

The Moss stuff is a bit expensive and there is more durable paint out there, but it does a pretty good job and the paint on the wheels takes a real beating for those who drive a lot. The leading edges of my spokes look like they were sand blasted after a few years of driving. A clear coat would probably greatly improve the durability, and I plan to try that next time. I've painted the wheels twice in the past 25,000 miles and they are starting to show a bit of wear again.

[stephen stierman]

Pat, the color I have that Tom Medcalf of Safety Fast Restorations so kindly provided to me some time ago was 1967 Chrysler Silver Mist. I had this mixed in Martin Senour acrylic enamel at my local NAPA store, the MS code number is 53-1593. This can be catalyzed and is quite durable and it has a very small metal flake so looks proper for the period. Over time and use of course your wheels will scuff or chip perhaps from a poorly aimed blow with a leather mallet and I found that I could dust Plastikote rattle can Ford Silver Metallic #1042 over the damage and it would blend nicely.

[frenchblatter]

I have two tins from Moss. I may prime them first as by the time I've sandblasted them they won't be smooth. I'll decide after sandblasting.

[Steve Simmons]

I use a self-etching primer after blasting. Seems to work well. The Moss paint responds well to thicker coats and smooths out the surface pretty well as seen above. Here is the primer. You can see how rough the surface was before painting.

[Duncan M]

No paint code to share, but if you have a spare broken off front spindle (preferably broken in the typical place), old wheel bearings and hub, a washer and spindle nut, you can make a nice wheel truing stand, then also use it to paint your wheels. I used an automotive epoxy hybrid and a paint gun, after wheel "truing" and repair. Paint just after sandblasting, no primer recommended for my paint. Careful spot welding of an old nut to the spindle allows inner bearing to seat just right. A yard long steel stock you can c-clamp onto an outside vertical post for painting. Very handy. "Never throw away anything TC."

The attachment 150917_0003.jpg is no longer available

[Tom Wilson]

Mike Sherrell and I have been studying original silver color for wire wheels, and have come to the conclusion that the silver was much brighter and more 'metallic' looking than what we all have been using in recent years. The Chrysler Silver Mist is good, but more gray than original. Ditto for the silver sold by Eastwood.
Study the original factory pictures and you can see the brightness of the wheels.
Tom Wilson