Removing caps on '37 hubcaps?

[cjshaker]

I'm looking for pointers on how to remove the stainless caps on '37 hubcaps so that they can be restored, and the bases painted. I don't want to damage them, and they look to be easily damaged if not done right.

[Seth Swoboda]

Drill a small hole on the back of the hubcap through the steel. Be careful as not to go through the stainless cap on the outside. Use compressed air to blow air into the small hole. The cap should come off.

[Zeke3]

You will also find more tips on restoring these hubcaps by searching this forum using the “Advanced Search” and search for “hubcap” and the author is “Nelsb01”.

For example this discussion: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...hlight=Hubcaps

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

Drill a small hole on the back of the hubcap through the steel. Be careful as not to go through the stainless cap on the outside. Use compressed air to blow air into the small hole. The cap should come off.

Seth is spot on. I place the cap over a thick towel to "catch" the stainless part.

[jimTN]

when you paint go easy on the area under where the little cap goes or it will not go back on easily

[cjshaker]

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Thanks for the suggestion of compressed air. I would not have thought of that one. I think I'm more nervous now about getting them back on without damaging them. Making a mold would be a lot of work, so I'll have to think that over a bit.
Thanks again,
Doug

[hotcoupe]

I concur with what jimTN said , don't apply a lot of paint to the portion of the hubcap where the stainless steel cap goes on. I have used Variprime, made by Du Pont. Place the carbon steel in the freezer overnight and heat the stainless in the oven @ 200° for 20 minutes, it will slip right on.
Hope this helps,
Tom

[Kube]

I actually carefully tape that area after the first coat of paint has been applied.
Place the stainless cap on a suitably sized plastic bucket with a thin towel draped over the edge to install the center. It goes on fairly easy.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

I concur with what jimTN said , don't apply a lot of paint to the portion of the hubcap where the stainless steel cap goes on. I have used Variprime, made by Du Pont. Place the carbon steel in the freezer overnight and heat the stainless in the oven @ 200° for 20 minutes, it will slip right on.
Hope this helps,
Tom

[cjshaker]

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

I concur with what jimTN said , don't apply a lot of paint to the portion of the hubcap where the stainless steel cap goes on. I have used Variprime, made by Du Pont. Place the carbon steel in the freezer overnight and heat the stainless in the oven @ 200° for 20 minutes, it will slip right on.
Hope this helps,
Tom

Thanks for that suggestion. Heating and cooling parts to mate them is a long practiced good idea, so long as I don't over cook it. That would ruin the flavor.

[Seth Swoboda]

Just use it as a pre-heat for a pizza you can bake after for your reward.

[Kube]

It can be done

The "after restoration" photo is overexposed. Rest assured the blue V8 is much darker in real life.