Painted 60-spoke wire wheels in the standard 4x13 inch size were the original factory-option specification for UK-market Midgets. Chrome wire wheels were only offered by the factory on North American export cars, though chrome wheels are now widely available and commonly fitted by UK owners. The painted wire wheel uses the same 60-spoke construction, hub adaptor, and spinner system as the chrome version, the only difference is the finish.
Wire Wheels
Painted wire wheels are more forgiving of neglect than chrome, the paint finish is more resistant to the pitting corrosion that affects chrome plating, and minor stone chips can be touched in with matching paint. The wheels can be refinished by shot-blasting and repainting if the existing finish deteriorates. Both primer and topcoat paints in the correct specification are available.
Inner Tubes and Rim Bands
All wire wheels, painted and chrome, use inner tubes with the traditional rim design, requiring a rim band or rim tape to protect the inner tube from the spoke nipples that protrude inside the rim. Newer tubeless-design wire wheels eliminate the need for inner tubes and rim bands. Wire wheel splines require regular greasing to prevent the sharp knocking sound under acceleration or braking that indicates dry spline contact.
If the spline peaks have worn to a sharp knife-edge profile rather than their original slightly rounded form, both the wheel and hub adaptor should be replaced, as worn splines on one component will rapidly destroy a new mating partner.