The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Hub cap restore

I am searching for original caps cause I don't want imports. What I want is sorta rare and the ones I have seen are usually dented. Is there a link that shows how to repair them?

Well if the are two piece like TF, you take them apart and hammer/dolly or you don't take apart and use filler.

They are 41-46 baby moon style. Maybe try placing them in a wooden bowl and using a light ball peen hammer? I don't have body tools. I saw where someone repaired headlight bezels on a AD a few months ago. It looks like the same technique would work on hub caps.

So they are one piece? Not two "walls", inner and outer?

Actually, I am still trying to find a couple.

When you get them, if they are "double wall", you can not ball peen them because the inside is not bent, just the outside. At least that's what I have seen on TF.

And that is what you will find on the original AD.
Inner hub cap with a outer shell crimped on to it.
Can't fix them and that's why there is a market for
reproduction hub caps.

DG

Thanks Denny, well that answers my question. I will just keep looking for a "good" pair.

There is nothing wrong with a little filler. They all have dings. If you find two originals with no dings and not repaired, I'll eat my fan belt.

My set of restored caps (originally chrome) filler and paint (appliance enamel) all purchased off eBay or sourced from parts trucks.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129054429/in/set-72157631867396207

A work of art.

Those look really sharp Brad.

Does anyone out there know how I could find 2 hub caps for my '53 3800? I found a pair of original caps at Grumpy's Auto Parts in Phoenix. However he is out of business. They fit on the front and back wheels. The wheels were split rims. The hub caps are held on with 4 clips. Any help would be appreciated.

You could place a Parts Wanted ad in the Swap Meet.

pm sent

i've had reasonable results hammering out the original two piece hubcaps from the inside, sure they are not perfect, but from 5 feet away or once covered in mud, it's better than it was before.
the back side is curved to match the front, only where the letters are placed has a special indentation in the back part, so you can only hammer in the bottom of the letter flats, around the letters is the no-hammer area, but that's a small area.

i'm too worried that if i take them apart i'll never get that nice round edge back, i would like to see someone post how to do that.

i have several chrome Chevrolet and GMC hubcaps for the 3/4 and 1 ton, but most need some work so i'm saving them for when i know better how to proceed.
-s