By paint, do they mean store bought rattle cans or is there a special paint to use? Then what, varnish or shellac it? I am only used to stained wood for the steering wheel. Thank you!

Robert-
They should be painted black. I had to do some patching on my original rim, so I was okay with having to paint it. I used Centari Enamel.

The original rims are one single piece of wood bent around with a finger joint. If you have a really nice one, it is fun to have it stained to show off the construction. Often they are stained to match the firewall.

If I had a new multi-piece wood rim, I would paint it black.

: ^ )

-Keith

Thanks Keith!