Clincher rims, what color?

[Ed Saniewski]

I will be pulling some nasty old tires off the rims, and figured now is a good time to paint them. Are they grey, silver, or black? Thanks, Ed Saniewski

[32 chevy vett]

They were zinc. You can buy cold zinc in a spray can.

[Dodge]

I have been using a cast iron grey spray its not quite correct but looks good.

[Steve Jelf]

I get mine hot dip galvanized, as original.

[Steve Jelf]

On the car.

[DanJohnston]

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Steve, thank you for posting the pics of your galvanized rims. I have been considering having this done. I was concerned about appearance but I think your pics have sold me on having it done. Thanks, Dan Johnston, Fargo ND, Ph. #: 701-200-2319

[Layden B]

Originally they were zinc electroplated NOT hot dipped. Problem was that the coating was thin and easily oxidized.
If you have them galvanized be sure to go to someone with experience as they can easily make the coating too thick and leave puddles of solid metal inside the clincher part of the rim. They also have to be absolutely clean of rust so the cleaning process can make a disaster out of your rims.

[Royce P]

These were cad plated in 1952. You will find cad plating looks very much like galvanize or zinc plating but is much, much more durable and costs about the same.

[Steve Jelf]

I suspect the durability of plating depends more on how much of it there is than on whether it's zinc or cadmium. Modern nuts and bolts electroplated with a thin layer of cadmium rust quickly, and modern electro-galvanized roofing nails turn to rust spots within five years. That's why I buy cans of old hot dipped nails at auctions, and why I had my clincher rims hot dip galvanized. I didn't experience any serious zinc puddling inside the clinchers. There were a few drips that were easily corrected with a small grinder.