Wire Wheels

Is there a substance to put on the splines when I put the wire wheels back on? I seem to remember reading about putting vaseline or something on them.

Yup, and do it often, like every time you take the wheel (s) off. Clean the inside, outside and coat them again.

I use regular 'ol grease.

I used to use anti-seize compound. Now I don't bother with it, having dumped my wires.

I use grease and next time you take the wheels off you may want to clean the inner part of the hub on the wheel where the outer spokes come through and apply some silicone caulk on the spoke ends. It will keep the grease in its place and not on the outside of your wheels.
RS

Grease, or anti-sieze compound of some sort. I use CopaSlip - mostly because it comes in a can with a brush and so is easy to apply. It also doesn't have that odd smell that the aluminum based versions have!

Dont forget to put a little on the taper areas of the wheel, inner taper (inboard of the splines) and the outer taper on the wheel - this helps locate the wheel properly, and makes it easier to "break" the spinner when it comes to taking the wheel off.

Agreed, I have always been told by those 'in the know' that the hub flange should be kept dry since it is part of what drives the wheel and takes some of the load off the splines. In the past I have wiped some light oil on them just as corrosion protection.

I have a can of that strange blue marine grease that I used for years.......works absolutely great.

Fairly heavy grease that won't boil out and stain the wheels is good. Copaslip works pretty well too. Vaseline will just get you odd looks when people see the tub of it in your garage and wonder what you do out there all those hours alone.....:D

so...how often should the splines be wiped clean and new grease applied?

I can say from removing the front wire wheels on my newly aquired '70 GT for my daughter, don't use an over abundance of any grease. I purchased new calipers/pads ect, and when the wheel came off, splines were fine but the backside had via centrificle force, really did a nice job of lubricating the front disc brakes!!!! What a weenie!!! Better be safe than sorry ! Go through the system Daughter is getting irratated since she cannot drive her "car":) I told her soon:)

BJ