C2 Wheel Cover Restoration

[Dave K.]

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 Wheel Cover Restoration

I wouldn't presume that (off the shelf paint will stick) without calling and confirming. You need a form of self-etchant paint otherwise you can pretty much presume your accents will wash away in any reasonable strength pressure wash!

SEM makes a complete line of self-etchant paints (some generic primers) that you can purchase from most automotive paint shops plus the Eastwood catalog also offers a selection of SEM self-etchant sprays. So, if the catalog paint you're looking at isn't a self-etchant, rated for the intended surface application, you skin the cat with a 2-step process of laying down a self etchant primer and following up with the final color. The biggest 'hassle' in this task is hand cutting and applying the masking!

[Mike Geary]

Re: C2 Wheel Cover Restoration

Dave:

I've done several sets of 65 wheel covers. Originally, I masked and bead blasted the surfaces to promote adhesion, which was great but then I had to remask after cleaning. Pretty labor intensive.

Now, I just use the SEM self-etching primer, as Jack suggests. Mask, prime, wait and then apply LICs paint. Works just as well and you only mask once.

Now here's the trick on masking: Make yourself a jig to pre-cut an arc of the proper radius into a strip of wide masking tape. That way you've got the tape already trimmed to the exact curvature you need. You just lay it down and you're done.

[Brian McHale]

Re: C2 Wheel Cover Restoration

The worst part of this job is dealing with LIC.

[Jerry Clark]

"The worst part of this job is dealing with LIC. "

does anyone "DEAL" with them?
I have to take a anti acid tablet at least three hours prior to dialing thier number.
If Kim answers I just automatically hang up on myself and save her the trouble
jer

[Bill W.]

Re: C2 Wheel Cover Restoration

Before you paint take a good look at a original cap . there is no primer or tape line .go the a auto paint store and get a roll of 3m masking foam .it is made for jams and will leave a soft unmasked look edge .or you can mask wide and buff off the tape line . you can also use dupont 222 adheasion promoter it is clear....Bill

[Dave K.]

[Dave K.]

Re: "The worst part of this job is dealing with LI

I buy all of my LIC parts through Corvette World. 724-837-8600. They stock most of them at the same price as LIC. NCRS members receive a 10% discount. No LIC hassle.

Dave Kitch

[Brian McHale]

Thanks Dave. *NM*

[Ronnie Robertson # 36786]

Re: Polishing Question

I have tried buffing my old 66 hubcaps to remove scratches, etc. But the results is a yellowish tint. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks

[John H.]

Re: Polishing Question

Ronnie -

The SS wheel covers were originally "smack-chromed" for appearance and to protect the surface - this gave them that "icy-blue" hue. When you buff them, you remove the thin "smack-chrome" coating, exposing the base SS surface, which has a yellowish cast.