Wheelcover experience?

[Jack H.]

Having Kelsey KO's on my car, experience with the universe of those who do wheel cover restoration (mid-year, '65-66 style) is slim/none. I'd appreciate feedback from any members who've sent wheelcovers out for restoration (dent removal, polish & accent paint) and been satisified with the results. Thanks!

[kenrobb]

Re: Wheelcover experience?

I did my own, it is a lot of work with the shop equipment I have. I have seen caps that were done by firm in Hobart, IN. He advertises in the Driveline as I remember. Caps are stainless steel so you can do it with buffingwneel, compound and lots of elbow grease. Good Luck

[Bill W.]

Re: Wheelcover experience?

Howdy Jack,

Check around the Denver area for a shop that restores musical insturments. There should be some. They can remove the dents, as for the paint used on '65 &'66's, the closest I have found is NAPA cast iron paint. Works great. Bill

[Chuck G.]

Re: Wheelcover experience?

Hi Jack. I sent a "curbed", crunched 53-55 wheelcover to George Iverson. The company name is Iverson Automotive in Minnetonka, Minnesota. I had redone the other 3 myself. I was amazed at what I got back. The cap that Iverson did looked new. I had to go back to the buffing wheel on the other 3. Cost was $125.00, but this cap was totally demolished. I NEVER expected the incredible result. Wish I had before and after pictures. Chuck

[Tom B.]

Re: Wheelcover experience?

Jack,

I had quite a bit rapped up in a hubcap restoration when it was all said and done.

A few years back I found a set of beater 66 hupcaps at Bloomington. The spinners, spacers, and center emblems were corroded and crusted beyond reuse so I replaced all with new from Paragon.

As for the hubcap "cores" I thought about spending the dinero for the right tools and buffing equipment instead of sending them out. But as usual, time wasn't on my side so I eventually sent them to The Finishing Touch, Inc, out of Chicago (800-403-4545). From what I remember they do (or did) advertise in the Driveline. It depends on the core condition, but mine were a little over $300 to do all four. No complaints, though, they came back mint. TBarr #24014

[Patrick H.]

What about trim rings?

Does anyone have similar experience with trim rings? How about replacing a clip that broke off (and on a road trip to Bloomington yet!).

Thanks,

Patrick Hulst

[Gerald Lee]

Re: Wheelcover experience?

Hi Jack,

I salvage one dinged up cap for my '66. What I did was buy one of the body shop hammer and small anvil sets and beat on it for about an hour till it was in good shape. Then I grinded, filed and sanded so it was smooth again. I sent the spacers and spinners to be plated and the fellow who ran the shop said he would polish the cap for $30. Best $30 spent. It came out beautiful. Only one problem, I had to have him polish the rest as well as all of the windshield trim.

Regards,

Gerald Lee #31112