Hubcap painting/replacement suggestions

[FuzzFace2]

I don't think I am on the map, Angier / Benson line, McGee's Cross Roads (27501 if Gary wants to add me), about 30 min from Raleigh.

I have been up your way on a few LP / propane runs when my co. sends me that way.
Yesterday 1 of my 3 loads was to Sneads Ferry, so they send me all over NC.
Dave ----

[rcarlisle]

Cool.  Our company does convenience store renovations all over the Southeast so we have places we've worked all around you.  Hit me up if you're ever up this way.  

[rcarlisle]

https://hubcapmike.com/replica-wheel-covers/ford-hubcaps/ford-truck-hubcaps/?sort=newest&page=2  He has your covers listed - $89/set new but out of stock.  You might check and see if they are getting more.

http://devriesspecialties.com/Ford-Truck-15-Inch-Silver-Hubcap-Chrome-Accents-p2376.html

They keep getting higher and higher.  https://www.hubcapzone.com/784.html

[Gary Lewis]

Sorry, Dave.  Didn't realize you weren't on the map.  But you are now.  

[FuzzFace2]

Gary Lewis wrote

Sorry, Dave.  Didn't realize you weren't on the map.  But you are now.  

Thanks
When you are one of the first few members asked to join there was a lot going on.
If it bothered me that much I would have ask sooner.
Dave ----

[ratdude747]

FuzzFace2 wrote

I did a Google search to see what that cap was to look like before the paint was washed off and cam up with this set for a 4x4 or van in 15"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/233806211477?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=233806211477&targetid=1068215112660&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9009657&poi=&campaignid=11616960928&mkgroupid=111101411977&rlsatarget=pla-1068215112660&abcId=9300455&merchantid=8448414&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8sL1l77a7wIVg4JbCh2NSg94EAQYASABEgK8qPD_BwE
Dave ----

Nice!

Funny thing is I'll be out that way in TN the week after next- literally one or two towns over (Jackson, TN, and Henderson, TN), but it will be for work with a shared van. With my ex-boss no less... . I once rehomed a car on a company trip and that was a HUGE mistake. Lucky I didn't get fired by said former boss... he was fuming.  . My career (as an automotive manufacturing engineer) is worth more than $25 in shipping.

Anyway... surprisingly, my wife is OK with this... the center caps have some dents, but I can transfer the undented ones of my existing hubcaps (just some folded metal tabs, easy enough?. Deal. Bought.

Would it be a good idea to try to clearcoat these or something to prevent flaking? Or should I pull my hubcaps the next time I go to the automatic carwash? Or maybe skip those... I was trying to get all the winter salt off, and clear some nasty black junk off the hood that's been there since I bought it (never been to the car wash due to the bad door seals in the other thread). My mirrors ripped a couple fingers off one of the brushes, so I really dunno... This isn't exactly a candidate for a fine clay bar & wax treatment.

---

Figured out why the dog dishes didn't look right in my head (and why the plastic ones do). The Aluminum side trim matches the trim on the plastic hubcaps. Part of the same exterior trim options? If I had a plain body (no trim, one color), then dog dishes would look probably look right and likely would have been what came on such.

[grumpin]

On a side note, I have relatives in Henderson TN. My aunt worked for Buford Pusser.

[rcarlisle]

Yes after blowing the paint off, of definitely be careful with pressure washer type car washes.  

If paint is chipping, it will continue to chip.  Clear coat might seal it in for a while, but it's probably going to continue.  

[ratdude747]

grumpin wrote

On a side note, I have relatives in Henderson TN. My aunt worked for Buford Pusser.

In my case, Arvin Sango. Tier 1 Toyota and Nissan supplier. We're based in Madison, IN (owned by Sango of Japan), but have a satellite plant in Henderson serving our Mississippi, Tennessee, and (soon) Alabama customers. New things being launched soon... and my old department arranged to borrow my services for a week. Yay...

On a side note (to this side note), that trip will mark my 5th anniversary for working at Arvin Sango. Ironically enough, my first company trip (a few weeks into the new job) was indeed a trip to Henderson, on a now defunct (and removed) project. Since that project, I haven't been back to Henderson... I've come full circle?

[ratdude747]

I won't know until I see the new hubcaps...

[rcarlisle]

I just got a chance to look at the new caps - those look pretty good.   If there aren't any major issues, those might well be worth clearing to protect them as much as possible.  I don't know exactly, but preserve those for sure.   And yes removing them before any pressure washing may help preserve them more.  

[ArdWrknTrk]

I would definitely consider the UV filtering wheel clear, like sold by Duplicolor.

It is tough and builds quickly.

But if your problem is the paint coming off the plastic I don't think it is a cure.
The plastic is always going to flex and expand with heat.

[ratdude747]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

I would definitely consider the UV filtering wheel clear, like sold by Duplicolor.

It is tough and builds quickly.

But if your problem is the paint coming off the plastic I don't think it is a cure.
The plastic is always going to flex and expand with heat.

Will do. See below.

---

This is what my rims look like, bare:



...even if cleaned up, with my trim, factory-correct dog dishes would clash and not look right.

Anyway, the hubcaps came in... not perfect (some paint fade starting), but they look good on the truck:





Especially compared to what came off:



Keeping my old ones... rather than mix & match pieces, I may see what I can do to (eventually) paint my old ones and epoxy up the cracked areas. This isn't a show truck, and honestly, the ones I bought are good enough as-is for my uses (other than coating them, perhaps). The bit of fade might count as "patina"?  I'll just be sure to skip the wheel cleaning at the car wash!

[rcarlisle]

Looks great.  Again.  There is a lot to be said for the stock look on a lot of these trucks.

[grumpin]

Nice!