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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Restoring 37 Stake hubcaps

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Restoring 37 Stake hubcaps     37V8 12-13-2013 @ 1:13 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 63 Joined: Feb 2010 Pricey little buggers. I have the original 37 Ford hubcaps from my truck I'd like to have restored. The shop that's done other replating work on the truck wants $500 for each hubcap. The bumpers are bad enough, but my restorer and I think $500 per for the hubcaps is a bit much, since 80% of the plating will get painted over. Are there other options out there for this work, that you recommend? Attached is a picture of one of the hub caps This message was edited by 37V8 on 12-13-13 @ 1:16 PM kubes40 12-13-2013 @ 1:45 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 3395 Joined: Oct 2009 I see a real issue here... one, the hub caps are not plated. Rhey are rustless steel (currently & commonly known as "stainless") and as such do not get plated. The center "cap" can easily be removed from the main cap. One must simply grind a small hole through the reverse side of the steel cap - directly behind the stainless part. Be careful not to grind through the stainless part. Now, apply compressed air and the stainless cap will come off. Best to do this with the cap facing downwards, in to a towel or pillow. With the stainless cap separated, do all the necessary straightening and polishing. In the meantime, refinish the metal part of the caps. Keep the paint thickness at the rim (where the stainless part was previously pressed over) as thin as possible. Once the metal part of the caps are painted and the center stainless parts reinished, simply press them back on. If you are not up to this project, I know a few places that do this professioanlly. I have yet to hear of any of them charging more than $200 each. That was for caps in fairly rough shape. This message was edited by kubes40 on 12-13-13 @ 1:50 PM 37V8 12-13-2013 @ 2:04 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 63 Joined: Feb 2010 Kubes, thanks for your quick response. I'll pass on your technique to my restorer. Sounds like a great solution. trjford8 12-14-2013 @ 9:00 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 4214 Joined: Oct 2009 $500 per cap is more than pricey, it's ridiculous. Put a small hole in the back of the cap with a drill. Use a drill stop, so as not to go too far. Follow Kube's advice with the compressed air and the pads to catch the stainless cover. If your caps are real bad you can run an ad for some better ones on this site and the Fordbarn. You can find some nice caps for $100 each or less out there. EdB 12-14-2013 @ 9:11 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 47 Joined: Nov 2009 There is an excellent article.."Restoring Model A Stainless steel" in Volume 2 of How To Restore Your Model A published by the MAFCA. My grill sh*ll & headlights came out almost like mirrors. supereal 12-15-2013 @ 7:38 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The great thing about original Ford stainless is that it can be straightened, filed and sanded almost like wood because it is fairly thick. Don't try it on the repros, as it usually is too thin. We use a buffing kit from Eastwood that has three wheels and compound to match that will amaze you with the results. supereal 12-15-2013 @ 7:38 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The great thing about original Ford stainless is that it can be straightened, filed and sanded almost like wood because it is fairly thick. Don't try it on the repros, as it usually is too thin. We use a buffing kit from Eastwood that has three wheels and compound to match that will amaze you with the results. john38coupe 12-28-2013 @ 4:29 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 130 Joined: Jan 2011 I had excellent results and price with Vintage Vehicles in Wautoma,Wisconsin (920-787-2656 Paul) Beautiful stainless repair work and painting. ford38v8 12-28-2013 @ 5:13 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2758 Joined: Oct 2009 If all four of your caps are in that great condition, as Supereal advised, save your money and do it yourself. It's a real good feeling to see the shine come back to a dull piece of rustless steel, and you can't really do any harm if you're reasonably careful. Don't let your restorer have all the fun! Alan zeker8 01-04-2014 @ 12:32 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 22 Joined: Oct 2009 Drill hole in back carefully to keep from damaging outer s/s cap, hit with air and like magic it pops off. Straighten and paint large cap, straighten S/S cap and reinstall, use blanket in a gallon paint can to push the caps back together. Zeke

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