Kelsey Hayes Wire Wheels - Factory Paint/Pinstripes?

[NealinCA]

I just painted a set of 16" bent spoke Kelseys for one of my projects.



I got to wondering how these wheels were sold as far as paint/color? You see a lot of cream and red original paint wheels out there. Did they come painted from the dealer? I have also seen pinstripes on the rim, on the drop center where the valve stem comes through. A lot of times a double stripe, thick and thin. Was this a dealer applied stripe, or could the be bought that way?

Does anyone have good pics of a Kelsey with pinstripes? I saw an original paint wheel with stripes at a swapmeet recently, should have bought it, or at least have snapped a pic.

Neal

[DavidG]

Super nice paint work!

Given that those K-H bent spoke wheels were not a Ford-released accessory, the sky would sort of be the limit as far as dealer-applied colors and striping went.

[NealinCA]

Thanks. Painting wire wheels is not a job I look forward too.

Do you know where the K-H wires were sold? Were they a auto parts, gas station, tire shop item, or would have they been sold through car dealers?

Neal

[DavidG]

Ford had pretty tight control over its dealers in those days, but no doubt some Ford dealers carried them or were willing to order from K-H in response to a customer order. Otherwise the bulk of the sales would likely been through chain auto parts/tire stores (those that did not have their own propriety line of wheels) like Western Auto and Montgomery Ward or independents.

Did you use a rotisserie?

[NealinCA]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Did you use a rotisserie?

Clamped the 4 wheels between 2 pieces of angle iron, using 5 pieces of all-thread, between 2 saw horses. That way I could flip them to paint both sides.

[cas3]

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nice job! wire wheels are a bugger to paint

[sidevalve8ba]

The wheels turned out real nice. I really like the color. I would like to see them again if you do pin stripe them.

[Andy]

I had collected a bunch of Kelsey's back about 1970. The ones I thought were NOS were semi flat black. No stripes.

[Lawson Cox]

Same here. 2 NOS 18" KH.

[Strick]

sent you a P.M. Lawson. Thanks

[duke36]

given you're in Cal, what paint system was used to get that great gloss, single stage, etc.?

[zzlegend]

Very nice job Neal. Those look great. I just painted 4, 19" model a wheels last week. Not an easy task. Mark.

[hotrodA]

As usual: Great Job!!

Are they for the black sedan?

[SUHRsc]

I can;t find the photo now, but I believe the photo I had seen of these on a hot rod, had a thick stripe out near the edge. it was a black and white photo so I can;t say what color the wheel was but it appeared dark.

Always thought it looked good.

[NealinCA]

Originally Posted by duke36

given you're in Cal, what paint system was used to get that great gloss, single stage, etc.?

Single stage acrylic enamel from TCP Global in San Diego.

Originally Posted by hotrodA

Are they for the black sedan?

Yes. I didn't care for the cream Kelseys on it.

Neal

[39topless]

Spin the wheel on the vehicle and touch the spinning wheel where you want the stripe with a touch-up paint stick of the color you want. Don't like the result, just wipe it off and try again.

[V8COOPMAN]

You obviously know what you're doing, but here's a self-explanatory method for using a Buegler. DD