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

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

 

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.

 

I did a set of 53 Studebaker caps.

This is roughly what I started with.


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.


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..


Then I took them to a polisher because I didn't have a strong enough machine.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Matt has a video on it....uses a planishing hammer initially.

 

Of course he does.....that guy does a great job with his channel.

 

Hey, if ya got it, flaunt it. Yup, great job.