This might seem like a dumb question, but I am serious: when you have a really nice set of rare and/or expensive wheel covers like Fiestas or Sombreros, what is the best way to get them onto your wheels without damaging them? On most '60s and '70s caps there is a heavy, flat edge that makes it easy to smack them on by hand or with a rubber mallet. But my '50s caps all have a nice thin edge and I have not figured out a foolproof way to get them on with zero damage. Any tips or suggestions? (I suppose the fact that I'm always mounting them on newly-painted wheels might make it a little harder to wrestle them on, but I'm still open to suggestions.) The best I have found so far is to just line them up and smack them hard in the center with my hand, but last week I managed to put a slight depression into an otherwise very nice '51 Imperial cover.
maybe a rubber block that fits well around the outer edge or slightly inside the edge..lay that on the cap and smack that rubber block with a rubber mallet? just thinking out loud
Well, I was thinking along those lines only padded with foam, but before I fab up something I was hoping to hear from those with a lot more experience with this sort of thing.
the same goes for taking them off .I like chrome smooties and chrome caps but they always end up with a ding on the edge from prying them off.
I've just always lined them up and slowly worked them onto the rim putting pressure on the outer edge, kind of the other side to where the teeth are that grip the rim. Only ever needed a glenched fist to tap them into place. I'd give the rubber mallet a miss, i was tempted and been there, done that Mind you they were cheap moon stuff and not OE wheel covers.
I usually get it started by applying pressure with both hands and then go around the outside of the hubcap with the side of my fist. Something to make sure they stay on; I'm running 53 Caddy hubcaps and since the valve stem hole is more to the center I ran a piece of all thread rod in the hole and into a nut I welded on the rim. Then I put a stainless flat washer and acorn nut on to hold it in place. The last thing you need is to lose of of these when hitting a hard bump.
Align the cap to the rim and apply steady pressure with your feet ( both feet at the same time so you will need to sit on the ground) then just push. Thats worked for me for years no hammer needed unless there really tight but I havent run across that yet. The old man would of beat my *** if I dented one of his hubcaps.
There used to be these things called "phone books"... line one of those up and tap firmly and evenly with a rubber or wooden mallet, the bigger the better
The only hubcaps we ever had problems with were the 40 Ford caps on my Sons rpu. They dent really easy and are harder to snap into place than the 46 caps on my 27. We do it as a two man operation.....one holds the cap angled into place and the other (with a thick cotton work glove on) makes a fist and hits it on the edge, driving it into place. If you hit it anywhere but on the sharp edge the metal dents. A rubber hammer doesn't work as it is flat whereas your fist will conform to the rounded shape when you strike it. Don
I'm thinking my 1970's GM wheels are a tighter fit than original rims, because when I read gasolinescream's post I remembered that I used to just push on the caps on my '54 Pontiac (the last car I owned with original wheels and full wheel covers). Let me tell you, they are a TIGHT fit on the wheels I have now! At least I know they won't ever come off by accident - I used to have to chase one from the Pontiac every few months. The phone book sounds helpful, and does putting on cotton gloves before using my fist - I've just been using the "ow, ow, ow, OW!" technique with marginal success. Thanks, all.
Removal tool tip, no cost, a freebie. Most of you probably have a set of those nylon trim removal tools, right? You can find them for as low as 10 bucks at swap meets and car shows. One or two of them is just right for removing the cap or cover and helps prevent marring the paint. Gary
cut out a "donut" out of wood and use a old wet suit or foam to pad it then lightly go around it tapping it with a hammer
Whatever you do, don't use a big *** Ford hammer......you are much better off using a smaller G.M. hammer!
I have found that pushing the center of the cover by hand to get it started works best for me. Then follow around the edges with the palm.
Prior to slapping on my caps I prelube the rim with liquid dish washing soap then ease the caps on. Never dented one yet. Be sure to rinse it off afterward with plenty of water though.
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