new member with spoke wire wheel questions

[Derek K]

Hi, I'm a new member to this site and it's great. Wish I 'd found it a long time ago.

I'm putting 15" spoke wire wheels from a MGA on my 1962 Lotus 7 I'm rebuilding and have a few questions:
1. what colour is the closest to the original Dunlop?
2. I started sand blasting them but it's taking forever and can't get everything. What are your thoughts on getting them dipped? (I know there is a residue left on them and they have to be super cleaned before painting)
3. I live in the Toronto Ontario area (the GTA) Does anyone know of a good tuner for them in this area. Some spokes sound out of tune.

I'm posting this on the Triumph MG and Austin Healey forums 'cause not many Lotus owners have spokes.

Thanx
Derek K

 

[Simon TR4a]

There used to be a place called Spoke n' True or similar in the north west part of the city, just off Steeles Avenue west oh Highway 27. I did a quick Google but did not find them, possibly that sort of technology does not mix well with wire wheels.....
If you contact (or better yet join) the Toronto Triumph Club you will get answers. They DO have a website!

 

[Derek K]

Thanx Simon
I used to edit and publish the Rolls-Royce newsletter for Upper Canada Region and would exchange them with some of the other clubs, one being the TTC. So I’m familiar with their news letter. I’d give them to my best friend when I’d finished reading them and he ended up buying a Spitfire. I’ve now suggested he join this forum.
I happened to have 2 old issues here and looked in the ads in the back and sure enough found one for Spoke ‘n True. Called the number and it was out of service but the ad had the name of the owner. 411ed it and found the right guy. He wasn’t home, but his daughter said he still does some tuning. He’s calling me back (hopefully) tonight.
Will post his number if he’s still interested in the work.
Derek K

 

[Derek K]

Simon
Quick update on Spoke 'n True
Just talked to the guy. He now works 2 blocks away from me here in Newmarket.
He still does some wire wheels but not in the winter.
He is dropping by tomorrow to look at mine tho.
Thanx for the tip.
Derek K

 

[dklawson]

Wow! 2 blocks from you? I hope he will make an exception for you and work on your car's wheels this winter.

 

[MDCanaday]

After you do one wire wheel you will realize why its a dead art.Too much work and then you have to paint/powdercoat.
When you are done, you still have worn splines and spokes that you have no idea how close to snapping they are. New is the best answer.
It is also safer....
MD

 

[sail]

I agree, with the expense of just mounting tires and tubes on old wheel leaves you committed to not so great a set up. I did that and just painted them w/ caliper gray which looks fine. Got a broken spoke right now. But I also bought new splines on sale and one of these days will get new wire wheels that I can trust.

 

[BRSLimited]

I'll look at my paint can tomorrow when I get to work and post the color code that I use. It's as close a match to the original color as I've found.

 

[Derek K]

Frank the tuner dropped by the other day and gave me some advise on checking them (I swapped rotors with my Plus2 'cause the front end isn't on the seven yet) He also said by no means have them dipped (chemical eats the threads on the spokes) and powder coating is just for trailer queens as it doesn't let the spokes move when at the bottom of the rotation (you know that the car hangs on the spokes and doesn' sit on them, right?)
He'll be free during Christmas but in Newmarket so he's coming back to check the truing now that they spin.
Suggested profesional sand blasting and using pool noodles to plug the spline holes. LNER (2 doors down from me) knows how to balance them. BRS Limited: I'd very much like to know the colour code please.
Thanx all for your input.
Derek K

 

[Geo Hahn]

By all means confirm this with someone who has used it -- but my recollection is that the Honda paint redundantly named 'Argent Silver' was once considered by many to be a very good match.

 

[BRSLimited]

What I use is Ford code M5967A. It's I believe from 2000 and called Silver Poly. I get it from CARQUEST in their Omni line of acrylic enamel and use a hardener in it. After sandblasting the wheels I spray a coat of epoxy primer and a couple hours later spray the color. Contrary to what many people believe the wheels are supposed to be glossy and not a matte finish. I can't figure out how to post pictures on here but if you would like to see pictures of some 60 spoke wheels I painted last night PM me and I'll email them to you.

 

[BRSLimited]

I think I figured it out.

 

[Derek K]

Thanx BRSLimited
Wheel looks like new. I'll check out our local CARQUEST and see if it's carried here in Canada.
Derek K