Don't Paint Those Hub Dials - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Big-Blue · 04-20-2014, 08:21 PM

I spent a few hours on my 3/4 ton dana 44 hubs polishing them up and thought I would share.

They were pretty typically beat up, oxizided and missing a logo.

I started with 400 grit wet sandpaper and then went to 600 grit. I then polished with the Meguiars Plastic polish on the end of my dremel with a little water. Use a slow speed and move quickly with the dremel as it will melt the plastic if not careful.

I then created a copy of the spicer logo and printed. I have attached a copy if anyone wants to use. I then cast it with some epoxy out of a syringe from Hobby Lobby after scoring the dial to give it some "tooth." I had to mask the dial center to help create the formwork.

They are not perfect but look pretty good in my eyes.

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Big-Blue · 04-20-2014, 08:25 PM

continued

Big-Blue · 04-20-2014, 08:28 PM

the pdf logo file is too large so email me at jdpkelley@yahoo.com and i will forward it to you.

67_C-30 · 04-20-2014, 09:14 PM

Looks good!

1972RedNeck · 04-21-2014, 09:27 AM

Those turned out nice.

**CUSTOM/10** · 04-21-2014, 09:49 AM

Awesome !!! I'll be trying that soon.... I have rechromed hobs to go with them ! They will look like brandy new .....

Gary

**TBONE1964** · 04-21-2014, 09:54 AM

I have always admired those who can turn chicken crap into chicken salad.

Great job!
Tom

**special-K** · 04-21-2014, 10:12 PM

That came out great. Thanks for the hot tip. I have some funky K/10 knobs to bring back. Actually,I did pick up a set of K/20s for parts. I'm sending an e-mail for sure.

seattle gmc · 04-21-2014, 10:46 PM

Those look awesome. I will also be sending you an email. What is the difference between the red and blue dials? 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton??

Big-Blue · 04-22-2014, 02:50 PM

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but for the Dana 44, GM was blue and Ford was red or yellow depending on the year??

The half tons are completely different.

**too much stuff** · 04-22-2014, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big-Blue

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but for the Dana 44, GM was blue and Ford was red or yellow depending on the year??

The half tons are completely different.

Those turned out nice.
GMC was red in 69 or 70, blue was used until 72, and 73 and newer was yellow. The red ford ones had "ford" on them. I think the 1/2 ton colors were similar for the years. Someone correct me if i am wrong...

slow-1 · 04-23-2014, 12:43 PM

Nice work.

srvivor71 · 04-23-2014, 02:43 PM

They look great! Nothing I like better than seeing things brought back to their former glory...

Big-Blue · 04-23-2014, 02:52 PM

Thank you for the compliments. The nice thing about this is that it's a nice, manageable piece that you can do in a few hours and see results.

04-20-2014, 08:21 PM	#1
Big-Blue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: highland village, TX Posts: 309	Don't Paint Those Hub Dials I spent a few hours on my 3/4 ton dana 44 hubs polishing them up and thought I would share. They were pretty typically beat up, oxizided and missing a logo. I started with 400 grit wet sandpaper and then went to 600 grit. I then polished with the Meguiars Plastic polish on the end of my dremel with a little water. Use a slow speed and move quickly with the dremel as it will melt the plastic if not careful. I then created a copy of the spicer logo and printed. I have attached a copy if anyone wants to use. I then cast it with some epoxy out of a syringe from Hobby Lobby after scoring the dial to give it some "tooth." I had to mask the dial center to help create the formwork. They are not perfect but look pretty good in my eyes. Attached Images

04-20-2014, 08:25 PM	#2
Big-Blue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: highland village, TX Posts: 309	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials continued Attached Images

04-20-2014, 08:28 PM	#3
Big-Blue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: highland village, TX Posts: 309	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials the pdf logo file is too large so email me at jdpkelley@yahoo.com and i will forward it to you.

04-20-2014, 09:14 PM	#4
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials Looks good! __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

04-21-2014, 09:49 AM	#6
CUSTOM/10 Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Sandown, NH Posts: 2,833	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials Awesome !!! I'll be trying that soon.... I have rechromed hobs to go with them ! They will look like brandy new ..... Gary __________________ Gary 72 SWB 4x4 My 72 SWB Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259859

04-21-2014, 09:54 AM	#7
TBONE1964 Cluster King Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Junction City, OR Posts: 5,263	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials I have always admired those who can turn chicken crap into chicken salad. Great job! Tom __________________ Contact me on all of your gauge cluster needs. I specialize in restoration, repair and parts sales for 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks. email me at tbonegarris@yahoo.com I am also a dealer for Counterpart for gauge cluster parts only. Also see my facebook page, CG&C

04-21-2014, 10:12 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials That came out great. Thanks for the hot tip. I have some funky K/10 knobs to bring back. Actually,I did pick up a set of K/20s for parts. I'm sending an e-mail for sure. __________________ "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 ~

04-21-2014, 10:46 PM	#9
seattle gmc Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 155	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials Those look awesome. I will also be sending you an email. What is the difference between the red and blue dials? 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton?? __________________ 1970 GMC K2500 aka MaTeR 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500HD Classic

04-22-2014, 02:50 PM	#10
Big-Blue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: highland village, TX Posts: 309	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but for the Dana 44, GM was blue and Ford was red or yellow depending on the year?? The half tons are completely different.

04-23-2014, 12:43 PM	#12
slow-1 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NC Posts: 830	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials Nice work. __________________ 1972 Cheyene C-10 "Ole Green" My Grandfathers truck (early 70's to 1983) My first vehicle (1983) Original 350 (3 rebuilds) 700R4 from Bowtie Overdrives

04-23-2014, 02:43 PM	#13
srvivor71 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Sullivan County, NY Posts: 455	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials They look great! Nothing I like better than seeing things brought back to their former glory...

04-23-2014, 02:52 PM	#14
Big-Blue Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: highland village, TX Posts: 309	Re: Don't Paint Those Hub Dials Thank you for the compliments. The nice thing about this is that it's a nice, manageable piece that you can do in a few hours and see results.



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