rally wheel trim came off but will not go on without1/4 gap

newly painted 1970 14 inch rally steel wheels mounted new tires but can not get wheel trim seated used rubber hammer but will not seat any suggestions

Do not use a hammer......you will see dents from this method. I sit on the ground and use both hands and both feet to push in place. No dents this way....

Then1/4" gap is built in, that will never get smaller.

Yep, once the inner section contacts the rim & bottoms out, that is it.

Totally normal.

I thought, THOUGHT, that gap was for wheel weight clearance.

Is this gap on the outer rim area?, if so, after you had tires mounted and BALANCED, is it perhaps the wheel weights that are holding the trim ring from seating?

my 15 inch rally wheels have no gap, but you guys may be correct the inner section contacts the rim & bottoms out on the 14 inch wheel. thanks

On my 1970 14" Rallye wheel car;

that's what initially I thought. I usually request to install weights on inside side of the wheel when as far is posible...