Wheel cover advice needed please - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jfnar · 06-08-2018, 10:19 AM

I'm attempting to use full P01 wheel covers with the wheels shown below. The PO called them ralleys but I'm not sure. I probably should have had the wheels sandblasted but I'm low on time and $$ so I just sanded them and brushed a coat of POR Hardcoat on. They appear to have had multiple previous coats of paint on them. They cured for a couple weeks before putting on the tires and then 6 or 8 weeks before I put the covers on. The wheel covers were very tight and difficult to put on. I used a rubber hubcap mallet and pounded them all in as far as they would go but I lost one after about 50 miles of driving. As you can see the cover took quite a bit of the black paint with it. Is it possible that too many coats of paint are making the fit too tight? Should I sand that area down to metal and re-paint? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

**LockDoc** · 06-08-2018, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfnar

I'm attempting to use full P01 wheel covers with the wheels shown below. The PO called them ralleys but I'm not sure. I probably should have had the wheels sandblasted but I'm low on time and $$ so I just sanded them and brushed a coat of POR Hardcoat on. They appear to have had multiple previous coats of paint on them. They cured for a couple weeks before putting on the tires and then 6 or 8 weeks before I put the covers on. The wheel covers were very tight and difficult to put on. I used a rubber hubcap mallet and pounded them all in as far as they would go but I lost one after about 50 miles of driving. As you can see the cover took quite a bit of the black paint with it. Is it possible that too many coats of paint are making the fit too tight? Should I sand that area down to metal and re-paint? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Not like any ralleys I have seen.

You could try stripping it down to bare metal and putting a light coat on it but I would say that the wheels are just different enough that you will be lucky to keep them on....

LockDoc

**Steeveedee** · 06-08-2018, 11:54 PM

Those appear to be an aftermarket wheel to me (I forget what they are called) and do not have the bead ridge that helps a full wheel cover stay on...even if it has to be hammered on.

**special-K** · 06-09-2018, 07:06 AM

Those appear to be what GM offered on squarebodies for a while. You can tell because they are stamped. I don't think the paint is the issue and you should have no problem mounting wheel covers on these wheels. The issue is in the wheel covers. They are known for flying off at times. I guess the clips get sprung or something. If the wheel cover isn't bottoming out on that first step in the rim then the covers should work. Rim design was once a standard thing on steel wheels and any 15" wheel cover should fit any 15" wheel. I've put PO1s on chrome saw blade wheels before, as well as many other aftermarket ones. The truck in picture has the 8" chrome wheels

**Already Gone** · 06-09-2018, 10:53 AM

I agree with Special-K the wheel covers are the problem. I am using P01's on my truck mounted to original powdercoatd rallys and when I first put them on I kept losing one. I bent the clips on the wheel cover and its been on for 2 years now with no issues.

jfnar · 06-11-2018, 05:08 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm on the hunt for a replacement cover now. I'll make sure it's as tight at the others and I'll check them all each time I drive it to see if any loosen up. I'm also going to write my name and phone # on the inside of each of them on the off chance that someone would call me if they find a runaway.

**special-K** · 06-11-2018, 06:20 PM

Good idea! I recommend that to everyone with PO1s

demian5 · 06-11-2018, 06:37 PM

Sell me those GMC caps and that will pay for a set of used wheels.

06-08-2018, 10:19 AM	#1
jfnar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 410	Wheel cover advice needed please I'm attempting to use full P01 wheel covers with the wheels shown below. The PO called them ralleys but I'm not sure. I probably should have had the wheels sandblasted but I'm low on time and $$ so I just sanded them and brushed a coat of POR Hardcoat on. They appear to have had multiple previous coats of paint on them. They cured for a couple weeks before putting on the tires and then 6 or 8 weeks before I put the covers on. The wheel covers were very tight and difficult to put on. I used a rubber hubcap mallet and pounded them all in as far as they would go but I lost one after about 50 miles of driving. As you can see the cover took quite a bit of the black paint with it. Is it possible that too many coats of paint are making the fit too tight? Should I sand that area down to metal and re-paint? Any suggestions will be appreciated. Attached Images

06-08-2018, 11:54 PM	#3
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,676	Re: Wheel cover advice needed please Those appear to be an aftermarket wheel to me (I forget what they are called) and do not have the bead ridge that helps a full wheel cover stay on...even if it has to be hammered on. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

06-09-2018, 07:06 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Wheel cover advice needed please Those appear to be what GM offered on squarebodies for a while. You can tell because they are stamped. I don't think the paint is the issue and you should have no problem mounting wheel covers on these wheels. The issue is in the wheel covers. They are known for flying off at times. I guess the clips get sprung or something. If the wheel cover isn't bottoming out on that first step in the rim then the covers should work. Rim design was once a standard thing on steel wheels and any 15" wheel cover should fit any 15" wheel. I've put PO1s on chrome saw blade wheels before, as well as many other aftermarket ones. The truck in picture has the 8" chrome wheels Attached Images __________________ "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 ~

06-09-2018, 10:53 AM	#5
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,143	Re: Wheel cover advice needed please I agree with Special-K the wheel covers are the problem. I am using P01's on my truck mounted to original powdercoatd rallys and when I first put them on I kept losing one. I bent the clips on the wheel cover and its been on for 2 years now with no issues. Attached Images __________________ 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

06-11-2018, 05:08 PM	#6
jfnar Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jonesboro, AR Posts: 410	Re: Wheel cover advice needed please Thanks for the info. I'm on the hunt for a replacement cover now. I'll make sure it's as tight at the others and I'll check them all each time I drive it to see if any loosen up. I'm also going to write my name and phone # on the inside of each of them on the off chance that someone would call me if they find a runaway.

06-11-2018, 06:20 PM	#7
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Wheel cover advice needed please Good idea! I recommend that to everyone with PO1s __________________ "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 ~

06-11-2018, 06:37 PM	#8
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Wheel cover advice needed please Sell me those GMC caps and that will pay for a set of used wheels. __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC



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