Technical hub cap removal

anyone have a trick for pulling the hubcaps of Kelsey Hayes style 16" wires without scratching or damaging the paint on the wheel? Only way I can see is just cover screwdriver tip with tape.

 

That's how I take mine off.....just go slow and easy.......I usually manage to chip some paint. Seems sometimes, powder coated holds up better.

 

luckily they are powdercoated for about 6mos so they should be cured about as hard as it gets...gotta pull the front wheels in the morning so I will find out then

 

Good luck!

 

I use an oak wedge with a small hammer.

 

I've had good luck with this poly/nylon composite, trim and molding tool set from Harbor Freight. They're pretty tough and cheap of course.

 

I use a old credit card.

 

Once you get them off, consider drilling a couple of small holes, fairly close together, in the edge near the rim. Fabricate a 'puller' from piano wire (stiffer the better wire) with a loop for your fingers and 'hooks' that fit in the holes. I don't recall where, but I have seen some oem small caps like that.

Ray

 

VW bugs and buses had that. Maybe you could even find one of the VW tools.

 

I have always been able to pop the hub cap on my old bent spoke kelseys with a silver dollar I keep in my pocket that my granddad gave me when I was a kid.

Works great. HRP

 

I use a small plastic ice s****per. I think it was a firestone promo. Works great, just used it today. I will post a photo of it soon.

 

Slide hammer with a hook attachment will pop it right off.

 

I've been lucky enough to pull them off with my fingers but it's a grunt

 

I use a composite wedge-shaped tool made for installing windshields with rubber over the pinch weld...works pretty good. I've also used a nice clean putty knife and go slow...have to tap it in and slowly pry out on it..

 

thanks for the suggestions...used one of my wife's plastic spatulas...Ha. nary a scratch and she hasn't missed it........so far

life is good. Ron

 

........................Just wait until you ask her to make pancakes again.

 

Ok, this sounds stupid, but I use a popsicle stick. I take a utility knife and slice it thin on the flat side. I just push it under the cap till the cap raises up a bit, then I use the unsliced end, then my fingers. Works for me!

 

There ya go!

 

What Flavor?

 

This is what I use, a VW hub cap puller. Requires two small holes in hub cap edge.

 

I just go really fast around a corner

 

That's funny...

 

That's a good looking A sedan!

 

I use a plastic Bondo spreader at several places around the perimeter of the hubcap.
The cap gradually raises up and pops off.