One other thing I noticed is that the stainless trim bands are 'exposed' on original wheels, not buried under several applications of clear coat

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...I generally like to see any Stainless Steel bands exposed, but if you don't have a band, and you substitute the chrome tape, or wish to color match the outerband to the car's color,....usually it's best to bury the tape under a few coats of clear, otherwise you'll palm it off in use

Unlike the rimblow which has a tape stripe, the 68-70 A and B body woodgrain wheels used a stainless steel band on the inner and outer perimeter of the rim. If it gets scratched, it can be sanded out with 400 grit sandpaper and will look like new again. Also, with it being stainless steel, you don't have to worry about it rusting or tarnishing so you don't have to clear over it unless that's just what you want to do. I like the bands slightly exposed as well.

Now, to keep the DIY guys motivated, here's before and after shots of a 70 B body woodgrain we recently had in the shop.

Dave



Before

After

Dave, Mike, Jeff,

You guys have been very helpful. Hats off to Doug Lepak for offering some of his tips too.

1st time DIY'r so I started at it last night. Not a rimblow but a 69 A body. The wheel had typical surface cracks and 3 good size 1/2" splits, loose bands, the usual for a 40 year old wheel. Started grinding the top of the rim to remove material and looks like I see how ma mopar made these wheels.

Looks like they molded a base layer around the main rim, then glued the bottom (grip portion)onto the molded base. This portion has the recessed areas to accept the ss bands. Once the bands were set on place, the top layer was glued to the molded base which sandwiched the ss bands. These top and bottom layers are only approx. 1/8" thick but are curved on the inside the shape of the molded base.

I removed the top layer by slipping a small screwdriver between the top layer and molded base and it just fell apart in pieces, totally weathered and dryroted.

Anybody repoping just the top and bottom layers? The resto would be so much easier.

1st pic

Top layer removed

SS band channel on lower portion

Underside of top layer

Top layer in pieces.

Now the fun begins.

Last 1, the ss bands

Wow great pics Mark. That makes it easy to see how they were constructed and it sure seems like it would be a simple item to repop. Be nice if you could simply disassemle and old wheel like yours or mine which had decent spokes, and just snap on an new exterior portion.

I am loving this post. I have a couple rimblows I'l looking at fixing. Thank you to all that have posted some great info.

good luck with that wheel...

Great info. Wish it was posted a few years ago... would have saved me some $$!

I have done a few rimblow wheels and it gets easier like anything else with practice.

Thanks for sharing Mike and Dave.

Mike.

Hey guys, just thought I'd post some progress shots. Been on vacation this week and have been working on my wheel here and there. I spent a significant amount of time today and yesterday cutting some grain into my rim. I think it's going to be good enough for me, I'm satisfied. Have not shot black paint into the cuts to make the figure pop, that is coming up I guess.

Wow!.....big improvement Jeff, looks really nice! really does

Mike

Wow very nice job done to all you guys. This needs to be a sticky for sure.

I never thought about trying a wheel myself but it looks like fun and one that takes a lot of time and skill.

Very good post book marking it myself.

Great work Jeff

Quikshft your grain looks great . What method did you end up using for putting in the grain?

Resurrected an old post. Here is where I'm at w/my wheel. Took some time, a lot of time. I went w/powder coat for the spokes and decided to go w/satin black for the rim w/out the grain. It's all in primer and at the shop for paint. Hope to have it back next week.