1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

[Richard M.]

This is a extension of a thread......Here.

I'm preparing to paint these ornaments and I'm masking the Chevy Bowtie. If a light dusting of gold is applied to the concentric circle area, will this also hit the sides of the bowtie? Or should the sides of the Bowtie be masked to be clear of any materials?

PC110001.jpgPC110002.jpg

For informational purposes, I will describe my just discovered research showing the differences between original ornaments and reproductions. I also have a set of reproduction center caps and ornaments, subtle but clearly different also. I bought these repros just to get the ornaments some time ago but since I located original ornaments and had them chromed, I will be returning the repros to my vendor.

here are the comparisons....Original left, repro right. The separate ornament is the original.
PC110012.jpg

original
PC110013.jpg

repro dish curve compared to original dish curve. Quite different.
PC110014.jpgPC110015.jpgPC110016.jpgPC110017.jpg

Another view of the same, repro left, original right.I loosley placed the original ornament on the original cap)
PC110018.jpgPC110019.jpg

Comparison of original dish curve(left) to repro dish curve(right)
PC110020.jpgPC110021.jpg


original cap and ornament
PC110022.jpg

original ornament left, repro right....in each pair of photos.
PC110023.jpgPC110024.jpg

PC110025.jpgPC110026.jpg

original circular bar is 0.100" wide, 0.140" on reproduction. Judges get out your vernier calipers next time out.
PC110027.jpgPC110028.jpg

edit. Added more comparison photos of repros vs originals....

Repro
PC1100067.jpg

Left original. Right repro. (I had this reversed earlier and just fixed it) The angle of the top surface is higher on the repro.
PC1100068.jpg

Left repro. Right original. Repro edge is more rounded the the original to the right.
PC1100072.jpgPC1100073.jpg

Left repro. Right original. Totally different "S" font.
PC1100074.jpgPC1100175.jpg

At least we have repros available, albeit some subtle difference when looking closely.

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[Robert L.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Richard, I use a yellow Hi-Liter with a pointed tip. Once applied (none to the edge of the bow-tie), lightly rub some off to get the "gold translucent hue" you desire. It tends to never dry and also smears, but you could seal it with some matt clear. Robert

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Richard, I use a yellow Hi-Liter with a pointed tip. Once applied (none to the edge of the bow-tie), lightly rub some off to get the "gold translucent hue" you desire. It tends to never dry and also smears, but you could seal it with some matt clear. Robert

Robert, That's a good idea. But I just finished one with a dusting of gold I have here. I dusted it on straight on from the front with the cap resting on edge. This way it kept the gold off the sides of the Bowtie also. What do you think?
PC110041.jpg PC110042.jpgPC110043.jpg

Here are the steps from start to finish.... I used alcohol to clean the lettering crevices and circular rings, masked, applied black, rubbed the flat areas with acetone to remove the black above the lettering, masked again for the gold dusting, done.
PC110003.jpgPC110004.jpgPC110005.jpgPC110006.jpgPC110007.jpgPC110010.jpgPC110011.jpgPC110029.jpgPC110030.jpgPC110031.jpgPC110032.jpgPC110033.jpgPC110034.jpgPC110035.jpgPC110036.jpgPC110037.jpgPC110038.jpgPC110039.jpgPC110040.jpgPC110041.jpg

[Gene M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Rich,
I assume you want to reflect the poor chrome job GM did on originals. I just went and looked at my 67. The goldish look is only in the circular rings around the bow tie. Looking at your photo you need to dust the gold spray a tad bit lighter. The Gold hue is slight. Otherwise looks good. I've covered this center cap issue in my judges training but showing a correct representation of the gold hue is always a problem. This level of detail is commendable.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Rich,
I assume you want to reflect the poor chrome job GM did on originals. I just went and looked at my 67. The goldish look is only in the circular rings around the bow tie. Looking at your photo you need to dust the gold spray a tad bit lighter. The Gold hue is slight. Otherwise looks good. I've covered this center cap issue in my judges training but showing a correct representation of the gold hue is always a problem. This level of detail is commendable.

Thanks Gene, Rats......actually I went the other way on the other 3 ornaments. Just finished. The first one looked a little light so I dusted it again.

PC110044.jpgPC110045.jpgPC110046.jpg


I will remove it all before it dries and do all 4 lighter again. Before I had them chromed I had a picture somewhere and it seemed dark. I'll see if I can find it.

My Chrome Shop had it and just sent it to me. I see what you mean. back later after the fix....Thanks
Before.jpg

Rich

[Keith B.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

inst the gold hue your trying to replicate just the base in the flashing chroming wearing though after all these years in service?

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

inst the gold hue your trying to replicate just the base in the flashing chroming wearing though after all these years in service?

Keith, I would not think so, as the entire ornament would have that goldish hue feature. Allegedly they could be either gold or not according to the JG. Here is a old thread I researched before embarking on this journey.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?67763-1967-Rally-hubcaps&highlight=Rallye+Rally+ornament+cap+

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Okay, I stripped all 4 of their gold and started over on one.

PC110047.jpg


Very light spray, but still seemed too much in comparison t the original photo before chroming.



I wiped it off and dusted agin, even lighter.
PC110051.jpg

Then I used a q-tip and wiped just the ridge tops
PC110056.jpg

Comparison left gold, right none.
PC110062.jpg

Comparison to the original
PC110064.jpgBefore.jpg


The photos come out more gold than by eye in person.

I've spent a substantial amount of time on this effort, but I think I'm done.
PC1100066.jpg


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[Robert L.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Richard,
Appears as though you really put some time and effort. From the pics, they look great!

If you're inclined and have a spare center cap (just for comparison), try the yellow marker process to compare the goldish hue.

Regards, Robert

[Donald O.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Nice eye for the details.

Don

[Leif A.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

As always, Richard, exceptional attention to detail. FWIW, pics of one of mine...appears the "gold" tint is on the sides of the bowtie, as well. Amazing how a digital close-up shows so many flaws...no wonder the gals hate close-ups

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Thanks gents....

Yes Robert I like your idea too. I'll try that on the next ones. Does it last? I'm wondering how long the paint can last.

Leif, great pics, thanks. Interesting that yours now show the gold there on the bowtie sides. Mysterious. Can you see if it's actually a paint product or is it the metal itself? Inherently, when dusting the faces the sides get ht a little too. Only caveat is where did yours come from and if someone restored them before, etc.

Rich
ps I hope some of the judges here enjoyed this little info-tidbit of information. I certainly learned much and thanks to all for sharing and helping me with these little critters. It's great to be able to preserve nice original "USA" parts.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Wheel Parts Mockup. All GM parts. Also some details of the little pieces, complete with Argent Silver paint sags just like original.

The 3 year old reproduction 7.75x15 Goodyears will be off of the repro bolt-ons and on these wheels soon. Can't wait.

PC120001.jpgPC120002.jpgPC120003.jpgPC120007.jpgPC120008.jpgPC120009.jpgPC120016.jpgPC120019.jpgPC120020.jpgPC120021.jpgPC120022.jpgPC120023.jpgPC120024.jpgPC120025.jpgPC120026.jpgPC120027.jpgPC120028.jpgPC120029.jpgPC120030.jpgPC120031.jpgPC120033.jpgPC120037.jpgPC120034.jpgPC120036.jpg

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[Leif A.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Thanks gents....

Yes Robert I like your idea too. I'll try that on the next ones. Does it last? I'm wondering how long the paint can last.

Leif, great pics, thanks. Interesting that yours now show the gold there on the bowtie sides. Mysterious. Can you see if it's actually a paint product or is it the metal itself? Inherently, when dusting the faces the sides get ht a little too. Only caveat is where did yours come from and if someone restored them before, etc.

Rich
ps I hope some of the judges here enjoyed this little info-tidbit of information. I certainly learned much and thanks to all for sharing and helping me with these little critters. It's great to be able to preserve nice original "USA" parts.

Rich,
Even with my "cheaters" on and a magnifying glass it's virtually impossible for me to tell if the gold on the side of the bowtie is paint or the metal. It doesn't "feel" like paint yet I can't imagine what type of metal would be gold tone so it must be overspray. I believe these caps to be original to the car and never restored. Now, I wonder what the original process was to apply the gold tone. Certainly it wasn't done with the pains taking detail you applied so some type of mass manufacturing.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1967 Rallye Wheel Center Cap Ornament Restoration

Leif,

Thanks for checking. I wish I had checked the originals more carefully before I sent to chrome. I'm satisfied with the results but was curious.

Rich