aa-fords.com

I am looking for information on original color of the rim, how to refinish the ring and any other related information. Also - where is a good source for new tires.

I'm certainly not an expert, but the information I have read says that in 1930 the only correct wheel color is gloss black, with a cadmium plated ring and nuts. Apparently in '31 you could pay extra and have the wheels painted whatever color you wanted, so its correct from a judging standard to paint them most any color. Certain fleets would have had their own special colors. My personal opinion would be to paint them the color you like, keeping within the available colors of the day.

Where can you get cadmium plating done? Is this something that I can spray myself.

Hello s147881,
Original wheels did not have rust pits and hammer marks. The edge of the wheel where the removable flange (lock ring) attaches is many times marked with hammer marks. These need to be ground/sanded to make them like original.

The same applies to the lock ring. There is a place here in Colorado doing cadmium plating (see below). It is a process like other plating and you will not be able to do it yourself.

Aero Propeller, 303-469-1749 Fax 303-465-1254, 800-525-8756, 9616 Jeffco Airport Ave. Hanger 44, Broomfield, Co. 80021
Cadmium Plating (with clean parts) $3.75 per lb.; $65 minimum (17.34 lbs.) + $15.00 hazards waste; Small Part cleaning - $45.00 per hour – glass bead blast – as of 6/8/05
Uses cyanide bath

Thanks. Your information will be very useful.

How do you guys with the beutifully smooth finished wheels do it? Do you use body filler to fill in the minor pitting that seems to be found on most of these wheels? I'm interested in a process/finish that will last at least 7+ years.

Thanks,
Matt