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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8 |
Is there a way to separate the inner shell from the outer stainless cap on my Chevy hubcaps? They're in pretty good shape for 80 years old, but they have the little dents and dings that come with 80 years of use. I want to be able to tap out the dings and polish them up
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,255 Likes: 10
ChatMaster - 1,000
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ChatMaster - 1,000
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,255 Likes: 10 |
When we helped a friend restore her Durant 6-17 coupe the body guy did exactly that. The hubcaps were rather beat up and not a common item. It is a rather time consuming process that you can not get in a hurry over. The Filling Station may have some of that style in stock.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,469 Likes: 48
ChatMaster - 3,000
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ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,469 Likes: 48 |
You might find that the outer skin is chrome plated brass instead of stainless. I moved a skin from a '36 Standard cap to a '34/'35 (wire wheel) cap base, several years ago. It is possible to remove and re-install the skins.
Mike
ml.russell1936@gmail.com
Many miles of happy motoring
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 408 Likes: 10
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 408 Likes: 10 |
The guys on the F**d Barn use this technique for restoring the competitor's hubcaps. I have always been going to try it on a junk piece to see if it would work. The following is a quote from that forum.
"Hey--the best way is to drill a 3/16 inch hole in the back center--stop of course before you get to the stainless.
Then find a large cardboard box, fill with a blanket, and get the air hose with blow tip and fit it over the drilled hole, and point top of cap toward blankets in box.
Stainless cover should pop right off."
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,576 Likes: 2
ChatMaster - 2,000
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ChatMaster - 2,000
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,576 Likes: 2 |
amazing tip from the ford guys. I'd always heard a ford garage only needed 10 tools to work on fords: a ball peen, a claw and 8 sludge hammers. guess they'll have to add the air hose blow tip to their tool box.
BTW, original 57 chevy poverty caps are skinned with chrome plated brass as 35mike stated above. the repo 57 dog dish caps are mildly magnetic stainless steel. hence, when judging the poverty caps, a magnet will differentiate real from repo. mike
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,469 Likes: 48
ChatMaster - 3,000
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ChatMaster - 3,000
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,469 Likes: 48 |
I gently pried the edges of the skin enough to remove it without cracking it. I seem to recall using my scroll saw, set at an angle, to cut a cone shaped hole in a 2 X ?? board. This made a nice cradle for putting the skin back on. Large diameter of cone shaped hole matching the O.D. of the cap. It's been a long time.
Mike
ml.russell1936@gmail.com
Many miles of happy motoring
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8
Grease Monkey
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OP
Grease Monkey
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 8 |
All good tips. Thanks guys
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 76
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 76 |
I have always had good luck tapping out the dents without removing the outer skin.
It is a little tricky hammering through 2 layers of tin but... it can be easily done.
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