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I was lucky enough to acquire a set of 15x7 SSIII wheels. But they are in rough shape. I am looking at having them powder coated to match my car. I'm just wondering about the trim rings, the way they leave scratches on the wheel when you have to remove and replace them. I'm considering leaving the trim rings off for that reason. Has anyone had their wheels powder coated and used the trim rings?
The only SSIII wheels I've noted that sometimes excluded trim rings were on the 1970 Rallye 350 and the 1983 and up Cutlass/442 chrome SS wheels. IMO the trim rings complete the look of the SS appearance on the painted wheels, whether they are body color(SSIII) or argent.(SSII).
I was hoping there was someway to avoid the scratching. I guess it is what it is
The only way to avoid the scratches is to not have trim rings. I restored a set of SSII (argent) wheels. They look fantastic even without the trim rings but I knew that there would be scratches from the friction points holding the rings on. As Joe mentioned and I second, you can't see that unless you take off the trim ring which is usually only when the tires get changed. Honestly I'm not sure what the big deal is. These are parts that are considered wear and tear. You could always powder coat them bright silver and go with no trim rings or maybe a 2 stage powder coat that simulates trim rings? Powder coat has come a long way over the years with colors.
I would not worry one moment about the trim rings scratching the paint. The factory paint had scratches, the restored 14x7 SSII wheels had scratches, and the restored 15x7 SSIII wheels have scratches. No one can see the scratches. Don’t worry about things that don’t matter.
I think I am going to put some good quality electrical tape on the trim ring clips to avoid scratching. I'll see if it works.
Good luck with that. The trim rings need to grip the metal to secure in place. Adding tape (a very soft material) isn't going to stop the scratches. This is kind of like beating a dead horse.
I would not worry one moment about the trim rings scratching the paint. The factory paint had scratches, the restored 14x7 SSII wheels had scratches, and the restored 15x7 SSIII wheels have scratches. No one can see the scratches. Don’t worry about things that don’t matter.
Kenneth, you do realize that the difference between SSII and SSIII is the color? SSII (RPO N66) were always argent gray. SSIII (RPO N67) were lower body color. It has nothing to do with bolt on or snap on center caps or size. Your Cutlass model year, 1971 was the first year the N67 option came out. Before that only choice for a styled wheel was N66 or P05 SS1
Yeah, when I bought the car in ‘89 the wheels were argent, and I painted them body color when I painted the car. That’s why I still refer to them as SSIIs.
Jumped over to look at the wheel info on Oldsmobility. First thing I saw was incorrect pics of SS2’s noted for 68-72, they are showing pics of snap on center cap version instead of bolt on type. So just sayin, beware of inaccuracies, I didn’t read much of the text but the reliability of the info went out the window with the first set of SS2 pics.
I appreciate the info from Olds Mobility Kenneth.
From what I deciphered from the notes, there is a 15x7 SSII wheel that has a snap on center cap. N71 pn 416614
So I take it the wheel shown in the picture as SSII must be that version, even though the majority of SSII wheels do have the bolt on cap.
I powder coated some Pontiac Rallye II wheels and I won't do it again. The car sat outside and before a year they were rusting down in the groove between the hub and the rim. The powder coat just can't get in there. Next I painted some 15" SS IIIs which I have on my '87 Cutlass. I sandblasted them then epoxy primed them. I used a brush to paint primer down in the groove between hub and rim. Then I painted the wheels with a spray gun; first using the brush to paint in the groove before spraying. 10 years later sitting outside they still haven't rusted.
From what I deciphered from the notes, there is a 15x7 SSII wheel that has a snap on center cap. N71 pn 416614
So I take it the wheel shown in the picture as SSII must be that version, even though the majority of SSII wheels do have the bolt on cap.
Note: ALL snap on caps for the SSII and SSIII are the same part number. The "N71" is not correct, it's taken from another web page that's wrong as well. When in doubt, use the OEM RPO's found in the original SPECS and Product Selling Guides..
There is no clear cut majority on the number of snap on vs bolt on wheels produced. If I had to guess I'd say there were more snap on cap wheels produced than bolt on. The bolt on cap wheels were reconfigured to snap on in 1975 after a run of 7 years. Snap on cap wheels ran from 1974 - 1988, according the the Oldsmobile Parts Manual. And that's not counting the number that were produced for aftermarket sales. It's a popular wheel choice for Olds hobbyists.
Some company's (Wheel Vintiques for example) produce knock off SS1 wheels in various sizes to this date. Year One introduced their knock off SSII wheels in sizes up to 17x10 with various backspaces. Just about all the vendors carry a stock of SS1 wheels; quality control has been reportedly meh.
BTW, it's known that Oldsmobility.com has numerous flaws and incorrect "facts" in their web page.
I think I am going to put some good quality electrical tape on the trim ring clips to avoid scratching. I'll see if it works.
Good luck. I would suggest 3M brand tape any day of the week vs. HF electrical tape. At least, for electrical work. If you try it on the trim rings of your wheels I suggest driving slowly next to a big field at first in case the trim rings come off.
Originally Posted by Fun71
If you want to know more about SS wheels, this site has comprehensive information
I used a brush to paint primer down in the groove between hub and rim. Then I painted the wheels with a spray gun; first using the brush to paint in the groove before spraying. 10 years later sitting outside they still haven't rusted.
Good point. I did the same when painting the wheels on my car.
From what I deciphered from the notes, there is a 15x7 SSII wheel that has a snap on center cap.
Don't pay to much attention to SSII or SSIII, as Allan noted above the difference is the paint color.
Most of the 15x7 SS wheels out there in the world have snap-on center caps. The 15x7 SS with bolt on center caps were a short run, maybe only 1973 to 1974? After that they were switched to snap-on center caps for the remainder of production.
Or the big snap on caps used on the Delta 88 and Holiday 88.
Hey Jesse, Nice to see you again.
Those SSIV wheels were 1971/72 Delta 88 only. RPO P05
The specialty wheel on the lower picture is still just a standard SSIII with different center trim only offered on Delta 88 from 1980-1984. They are 5 x 4¾" IIRC. I bought some from the boneyard to dress up my 1983 Regency Brougham and found the wheels didn't fit. That's how I remember the bolt pattern is different from the 5x5 used on the heavier 98's.
