Restored Hubcaps
 

Well, This was fun, NOT! Took some time and I got better by the 4th cap:) Not really all that hard. I found a few threads that suggested using vinyl tape for detailing those curves. Worked great! Used the 1/4 in thin tape then used regular masking tape to tape to the vinyl lines. Did the black first, with the blue bowtie being the last thing I did. You can see in the pics I left excess vinyl tape instead of trimming it where I could so I could easily pull it off. I also used smaller pieces instead of trying to make 90 degree turns, make it pretty easy to trim and easy enough to get off.

https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net...17&oe=5A061D2C
https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net...e0&oe=59D4680E
https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net...22&oe=5A0A0A59
https://scontent-dft4-2.xx.fbcdn.net...e5&oe=59C974DA

Before doing all the painting I straightened them as much as possible with a small ball peen hammer and some wooden dowels that I shaped on a grinder for edges and the smooth part of the hammer tapping lightly to take out other dings.. They came out pretty good, better than they were for sure and no longer yellow centers!

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

They look good. I have bunch of caps to do. I guess I'll be having fun.......lol

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

I am going to have the wheels sandblasted and powder coated white. Then paint for the body!

Then I am done:)

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

Nice job re-detail painting the caps. They came out great. Now restoring dented caps, that's another story. Those look nice. Someone gets good at that and they'll have members sending caps from all over

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

I saw a while ago someone here was selling paint masks for caps like these. I have looked at mine many times too paint them up but all the masking really deters me:lol:

Good job on them, patience is a virtue.

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

Hey, those look real nice! I especially love the blue in the Chevy symbol in the center.

Makes me jealous that I got rid of my hubcaps due to missing one. Now I have to polish those crappy aluminum rims 2 times a years. Man that is a lot of work.

Wished I would have saved mine considering what some are asking for those now.

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

It was a bit of work, but the vinyl detail tape made it a lot easier. Each cap maybe took an hour.

As far as getting the dents and dings out, that wasn't too bad either, not perfect but less expensive than buying NOS or sending them into hubcaps.com. The biggest challenge was getting the creases right, nothing a wooden down and grinding the tip down to the right shape. I thought the last one would come out the best, I think #2 and 3 look the best. I got a bit lazy on the 4th:)

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

Nice work. There's nothing like the timeless look of stock caps.

Re: Restored Hubcaps
 

Painting hubcaps just got l a lot easier with decals. These are for 1/2 ton. Bowties need to be blue for '69-72. Not mine. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-1974-C...oAAOSwsR9a-oT6 Hopefully 3/4 tons are in the works.