'65 hubcap refurbishing

[Mark F.]

The OEM hubcaps on my driver '65 are very dull, and detract from the car's overall appearance. Judging from the cost of having my ignition cover polished ($75), the cost of polishing these 'caps is prohibitive. Any suggestions on an effective method of shining them? I don't want to use anything that will scratch them, they're in overall good condition except for a lack of shine.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Mark

[Ken Robb]

Re: '65 hubcap refurbishing

If you have the time, they can be polished by yourself using a bench buffer. It takes a lot of time to do 4 though. You just sit there and hold the hubcap and buff, buff, buff. They are SS, so normal buffing materials will work. You can also check in the Driveline for vendors who do buffing to maybe find a cost estimate. The gray color can be sprayed on with material sold by few vendors.

[Mark F.]

Thanks, Ken. *NM*

[Mike Geary]

Re: '65 hubcap refurbishing

Mark: '65 wheelcover have a rather thin "flash chrome" plating over the stainless. This means that if you get overly aggressive with the buffing, you will wear through the chrome and have an uneven lustre. You do have the option of strippling the chrome off using a muriatic acid bath (see Jeff Lilly's book on stainless restoration) and then bringing the stainless up to the desired level of shinyness. It will look a little different than chrome however --it will have a slight yellow caste rather than bluish. But that's the way I did mine and I get nothing but compliments.

When polishing, don't waste any time doing the surfaces which will be painted. Then to promote paint adhesion, lightly prime with self-etching primer or paint specially formulated for metal trim. Top coat with LICS's product.

Mike