Register now to get rid of these ads!

Customs Has anyone done a tutorial (how to thread) on taking driver quality hubcaps to show worthy?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Roothawg, Aug 8, 2023.

  1. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 25,983

    Roothawg
    Member

    I have a whole wall of average hubcaps from all makes and models. Most are driver quality.

    I just keep collecting them, not sure what the attraction is. Some are scratched up from years of folks polishing them with whatever was handy. Just wondering if anyone has tried to bring them back?
    • Can you sand on them like a paint restoration, by gradually stepping up the grit and then buffing?
    • Are most stainless or plated?
    • When removing the painted areas, would chemical stripping be the smartest way to minimize damage?
    • Can you remove the dents like you would on stainless trim by using picks and filing?
    Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I am not getting any shop time lately,. so pipe dreaming and planning is all I have.

    Thanks,

    Root
     
  2. raaf
    Joined: Aug 27, 2002
    Posts: 781

    raaf
    Member

    I've had good success striking with shaped rubber mallets of different sizes, ample patience, and a shot bag underneath. I switch to a soft wood block underneath for final finishing.
     
  3. K13
    Joined: May 29, 2006
    Posts: 9,729

    K13
    Member

    I did a set of 53 Studebaker caps.

    This is roughly what I started with.
    20230808_182326.jpg

    I made a hammer form out of body filler of the inside of the cap so I could work the dents out with a hammer. I did one of the outside of the dish as well for that section but can't seem to find a picture. Also used some screwdrivers and picks and anything else I could find to work dents out on the edges. Took a very long time.
    le65ramn7nkbdt7s9x6fjvlwidoa31je.jpg

    I then sanded them from 280 up to about 2000 I think. Sorry it's been a while since I did them so can't remember exactly how fine I went..
    zkj2rqc7u3ek7f5fr8w9pxxak2fl8pjy.jpg

    Then I took them to a polisher because I didn't have a strong enough machine.
    3uyoyn6smynzgl1q12qulmgfrddezo6t.jpg
     
    TagMan, 302GMC, D type and 20 others like this.
  4. Dan Hay
    Joined: Mar 16, 2007
    Posts: 6,457

    Dan Hay
    Member

    I think most factory caps were stainless so you can repair and polish. The JC Whitney replacements were mostly plated steel and the would rust so that’s a bit tougher.
    Here is a real Olds Fiesta Vs. aftermarket copy.
    07D328F7-9AC2-4B78-8C99-375CBCAF1BE3.jpeg 40720E5F-B86C-4A31-A398-02B1567FBA63.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2023
    302GMC, D type, Sancho and 4 others like this.
  5. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 5,091

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You need to know what you're working with before you start. Stainless, you can bump, block, sand and polish pretty straightforward. Aluminum can be done the same, if the anodizing is removed first. Don't get too aggressive with it, however.

    If the hubcaps are chromed, you have to have a player strip them. Then one of you can straighten them out, block, sand and polis before chrome plating them.

    There are lots of YouTube videos on polishing metal. @MP&C just posted some on polishing stainless trim. The process is the same.
     
    bchctybob and Roothawg like this.
  6. metlmunchr
    Joined: Jan 16, 2010
    Posts: 876

    metlmunchr
    Member

    Worth mentioning that you can't ***ume hubcaps are plated steel just because they're magnetic. Most all stainless auto trim parts are type 430 which is also magnetic.
     
    Bob Lowry, bchctybob and Roothawg like this.
  7. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 25,983

    Roothawg
    Member

    I have a whole batch of 54-55 Oldsmobile Caps similar to the ones Dan posted above. I need to get a good set of 5 out of all of them.
     
    Dan Hay likes this.
  8. bobss396
    Joined: Aug 27, 2008
    Posts: 18,744

    bobss396
    Member

    This alloy will pick up rust, which is easily removed. The ones on my car.. into the citric acid bath for a few days. Rinse, scotch brite and wash in soapy water. They look like new, for a while. I'm careful not to blow through the painted parts.
     
    Bob Lowry likes this.
  9. Joe Blow
    Joined: Oct 29, 2016
    Posts: 1,862

    Joe Blow
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Matt has a video on it....uses a planishing hammer initially.
     
  10. Roothawg
    Joined: Mar 14, 2001
    Posts: 25,983

    Roothawg
    Member

    Of course he does.....that guy does a great job with his channel.
     
    Joe Blow and Dan Hay like this.
  11. Joe Blow
    Joined: Oct 29, 2016
    Posts: 1,862

    Joe Blow
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Hey, if ya got it, flaunt it.;) Yup, great job.
     
    Roothawg likes this.

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.