1965 hubcap repair.

[Bill W.]

Are 1965 hubcaps flash chromed stainless or all stainless ? I dont want to file or sand if they are flash chromed .

[Philip P.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Bill one way to see try some metal polish if your rag turns black then the chrome is either not there or was not flashed chromed.
That may be one way to check.
Phil

[Bill W.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Thanks Phil

[Mike G.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Originals are flash chromed.

[Bill W.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Mike ,Thats what I thought . How do they chrome the outside and leave the inside dull stainless ?

[John H.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Mike ,Thats what I thought . How do they chrome the outside and leave the inside dull stainless ?

Bill -

The stainless outer surface is highly polished prior to plating, and the stainless inner surface is simply mill-finished; .0005" (half a thousandth of an inch) of clear chrome doesn't do much for the mill-finished inner surface.

[Mike G.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Bill -

The stainless outer surface is highly polished prior to plating, and the stainless inner surface is simply mill-finished; .0005" (half a thousandth of an inch) of clear chrome doesn't do much for the mill-finished inner surface.

Hi John - do you have any info on the Lyon Co. who produced the '65 covers? Some of my best originals still have their ID stamp on the backside.

[Tracy C.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Bill,

As others have already said, they were flashed chromed. If you are going to restore, a good DIY method to remove the flash chrome is to remove the spiinners and spacer (you will do this anyway) and let the cover swim in a 50/50 mixture of of Muratic acid and water for about 5 minutes. Remove them and wash them off with a baking soda wash to neutrulize the acid and then a final wash in warm soapy water and final rinse. I use lb. box of baking soda per 5 gallons of water for the soda mixture.

Another point is to wear rubber gloves and eye protection when working with the acid bath. Also...do this somewhere out back where you have plenty of ventilation. Do not breathe the acid vapors. Hope this doesn't scare you off. It isn't a hard job, just be carefull.

It is almost impossible to get a decent buff job unless you remove the flash chrome. As John said, it is only half a thou. thick, but it is a VERY hard coating.

have fun!

[Bill W.]

Re: 1965 hubcap repair.

Tracy. I spent 40 +years working in a body shop & learned allot from or paintless dent repair guy . I took about 10 dents out of one today . It looks good from arms length and I didnt hurt the chrome. But if I need to sand or file one I will use your mix . thanks Bill