Best way to restore hubcaps - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1972BlueC20 · 02-19-2015, 09:35 AM

What's the best way to remove any dings from our type hubcaps?

Also, whats the best paint and method for repainting or touching up the black paint?

**Already Gone** · 02-19-2015, 11:32 AM

subscribed

OregonNed · 02-19-2015, 11:38 AM

Interested too

**MidLifer** · 02-19-2015, 05:59 PM

I haven't tried taking out the dings but I've read that it's like removing dings from other metal, you use body tools in the old-fashioned "metal bumping" manner.

I did paint my hubcaps a few years ago, both the black and the bowties. It involved considerable masking and cutting. Great winter project. I can post pics later if desired. Basically you mask the whole cap and then cut away where you want to paint. I had some bleed, but it was pretty easy to cut/scrape off the caps.

SS Tim · 02-19-2015, 06:46 PM

Being a thin sheetmetal it takes classic skills to make them "as new". There is a good book on body trim restoration as part of the HotRod series that is worth looking into. It covers a lot of the basics of thin metal restoration. But the fact is most of the dents are going to need to be shrunk out with spot heat and quenching. Practice practice practice. To get "good" to "as new" results metal work is the key. As far as painting, a touchup gun and airbrush give the factory look.
Mister-B used kraylon spray cans to good effect on his truck as I recall though so that is an option.

**FirstOwner69** · 02-19-2015, 06:59 PM

Below is a link to a thread I saved on the subject of painting hubcaps. Previous threads have also mentioned Krylon True Blue #1910 or Ford engine blue for the bowtie. I've successfully taken a lot of dents out of stainless trim, but from what I've read in other threads, the truck hubcaps are either chromed brass or chromed steel which adds a degree of difficulty. I think the 73-75 caps may have been stainless. I'd use Rustoleum or Krylon satin black for the black painted part.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=455805

**davischevy** · 02-19-2015, 09:17 PM

For the stainless hubcaps, I would find a company that does polishing. I have been aquiring some extras to take to the polisher and see how that works.

I have worked out some minor dings, but you almost always have to file and polish. It's a tedious process.

Larry

**special-K** · 02-19-2015, 11:00 PM

Dolly, pick, & file. Then start the polishing process. For me, the "best" way to restore hubcaps is find perfect ones and buy them

02-19-2015, 11:32 AM	#2
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,144	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps subscribed __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

02-19-2015, 11:38 AM	#3
OregonNed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Vancouver, Washington Posts: 1,644	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps Interested too __________________ 1968 Chevrolet C/10 LWB - 327, TH350 - 4/5 Drop

02-19-2015, 05:59 PM	#4
MidLifer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South NJ Posts: 1,268	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps I haven't tried taking out the dings but I've read that it's like removing dings from other metal, you use body tools in the old-fashioned "metal bumping" manner. I did paint my hubcaps a few years ago, both the black and the bowties. It involved considerable masking and cutting. Great winter project. I can post pics later if desired. Basically you mask the whole cap and then cut away where you want to paint. I had some bleed, but it was pretty easy to cut/scrape off the caps.

02-19-2015, 06:46 PM	#5
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps Being a thin sheetmetal it takes classic skills to make them "as new". There is a good book on body trim restoration as part of the HotRod series that is worth looking into. It covers a lot of the basics of thin metal restoration. But the fact is most of the dents are going to need to be shrunk out with spot heat and quenching. Practice practice practice. To get "good" to "as new" results metal work is the key. As far as painting, a touchup gun and airbrush give the factory look. Mister-B used kraylon spray cans to good effect on his truck as I recall though so that is an option. __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

02-19-2015, 06:59 PM	#6
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,852	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps Below is a link to a thread I saved on the subject of painting hubcaps. Previous threads have also mentioned Krylon True Blue #1910 or Ford engine blue for the bowtie. I've successfully taken a lot of dents out of stainless trim, but from what I've read in other threads, the truck hubcaps are either chromed brass or chromed steel which adds a degree of difficulty. I think the 73-75 caps may have been stainless. I'd use Rustoleum or Krylon satin black for the black painted part. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=455805

02-19-2015, 09:35 AM	#1
1972BlueC20 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 722	Best way to restore hubcaps What's the best way to remove any dings from our type hubcaps? Also, whats the best paint and method for repainting or touching up the black paint? __________________ 1972 Chevrolet C20 Cheyenne Custom Camper LWB - 350 / 330 HP GM Crate - TH350 / Mild Shift Kit - Dark Blue / Medium Blue - Paint Code 559

02-19-2015, 09:17 PM	#7
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,863	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps For the stainless hubcaps, I would find a company that does polishing. I have been aquiring some extras to take to the polisher and see how that works. I have worked out some minor dings, but you almost always have to file and polish. It's a tedious process. Larry __________________ other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.

02-19-2015, 11:00 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Best way to restore hubcaps Dolly, pick, & file. Then start the polishing process. For me, the "best" way to restore hubcaps is find perfect ones and buy them __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~



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