It's tedious but if you can't find wheels, don't want to tube them then you have the options left of; one of the metal 2 part epoxy puttys OR do fill welding, file down the rough stuff and then take it to a machine shop that dose semi truck drums and see if they can turn them or do it old school by grinding and filing then balancing untill it gets close enough to work with wheel weights.
Personally I would get on craigslist and start looking in your general area not your local area for replacements by finding guys with trucks or parts for sale between 1950? and 1962 and ask them if they have any or in the auto parts catagory put in a WTB listing.
Also know there are 15's, 16's, 3 tab, 5 tab, solid rim and split rim, if your going to use split rims be very careful making sure they are not worn out and make positivly sure the tire guy knows to put a chain or strap around it when filling the tire, split rims have a reputation to pop off and injure, maime and kill people
On painting them talk to the paint shop about what they use on semi wheels and bumpers which I think? is extra drying agent in enamel so it dries harder or you can possibly powder coat them, it's pricy and you can't repaint them because any other color will chip off and the powder coat will show through but it will last a long long time and look nice.
