I was able to make all four wheel bands and slip them onto the wheels. All are tight fits and this should now hold the wood splices in the bamboo securely and prevent the wheels from deforming over time.
The enamel paint did not seem to set up properly, and it remained soft after four days. I did not remove the paint prior to slipping the bands on, hoping that the soft enamel on the bamboo will eventually harden and adhere to the bands, adding further stability. However, the paint on the rest of the wheels was damaged slightly by all the extra handling. So with soft enamel and paint damage, I decided it was best to begin stripping the paint I painstakinly applied, down to the bare wood. I used an Exacto knife as a scraper, sandpaper, and finally a wipedown of lacquer thinner to remove all traces of paint. Two of the wheels are now primed with Kilz multipurpose primer. I have yet to strip the remaining two wheels.
A third reason to strip the paint was that I am still not satisfied with the pale yellow. It still looks too intense. I wish I could remember what brand of paint I used on my wagon's wheels. It was a perfect match to what Granpa originally applied. I can still remeber the shape of the jar it came in, short but larger in diameter than the Testor's paint bottles, about the diameter of a 50 cent piece. I have some white to further blend with the pale yellow to get the desired color. I will also add some thinner so I apply thinner coats. That way each coat is thin enough to dry and cure properly between coats. I will wait for the weather to break so the temperature and humidity are lower. Currently, the temperature outside is in the 90's with dew points in the 70's. Not ideal for painting.
In between working on the wheels, I have begun reassembling the wagon. The new eyelets I bought look "too new". It struck me that since I am applying a patina to the wheel bands, I should replace the zinc plated eyelets with brass ones the same size. A little steel wool to break the surface on the brass will work for applying the patina to the brass hardware. It will then all match the wheels, and together, it will look pretty cool, I think.
I have the wagon mounted to the undercarriage and the splash fenders reattached to the wagon. I cannot do any more until I have the wheels done and on the wagon. The last bit to be redone will be the new harness for the horse and the leather straps from the harness to the connection on the wagon. Originally, these leather straps were looped through a leather loop incorporated into the harness Grandpa made. I bought some tiny rings and will sew them onto the harness for the leather straps to be attached to instead of adding the bulkier leather loops when I make the harness It will make making the harness easier, but also it will reduce the bulk and give it a sleeker look. I found some examples of harnesses on the internet and will pattern the new one both on the old one, and the pictures I found.
All these changes are making me reexamine my wagon. Someday, I'll probably put metal bands on the wheels, and I may eventually change the harness to give it a sleek look. I did not change anything when I refinished my wagon, and stuck completely to Grandpa's original design. But the necessity of strengthening the wheel splices and other subtle changes on my cousin's wagon have me thinking that it would be OK to modify it a bit. So far, I am liking the result of these changes.
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