N1RND Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Does anybody have any ideas for original center caps that have the flat black paint flaking off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnewlin Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I taped mine off and touched them up with a little flat black paint. If they are in really rough shape it may better to just replace them. It is judgement call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 On mine I used steel wool to clean up the area, then sprayed flat black paint. Once the paint was dry, I carefully used steel wool on the top of the ridges to expose the chrome ridges. They came out great. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Peters Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 If you just have a few chips here and there you can do a quick touchup using a black Sharpe Pen. It will work for a temporary fix but the suggestions of others above are the best solutions. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 I used pinstripe tape; maybe 1/4"? The original black areas have a slight taper. wider in the rear, but it isn't noticeable with the tape. I was going to tape them off and respray them black, but that was about 4 times more work than I was willing to do. The pinstripe tape looks great and holds up well. I guess you also have the option of changing the colors too.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1RND Posted May 27, 2010 Author Share Posted May 27, 2010 Thanks fellas I was kind of thinking of all of these ideas to some degree. I guess it either spend time or spend money to have new looking ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnewlin Posted May 27, 2010 Share Posted May 27, 2010 Check Craigslist or your local classifieds as well. You can usually find caps and rings in good to great condition for a pretty low price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RaleighSS Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 The Steel wool process sounds good. I cleaned mine with prep wash and steel wool as a preliminary step. I chose to mask the base and top leaving only the "ribbed" section showing. Then spray painted and immediately after used Q-tips dipped in solvent to remove the wet paint from the raised chrome ribs. The "GM" Caps are $80 each in my Year One Cat. that is about 1-2 years old. The way prices are increasing it won't be long for them to reach $100 each. If you have originals I would think it is well worth it to you to referbish them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 I did what Jim said above but I used thin cloth, like a t-shirt, wet with solvent pulled tight on a piece of wood. Ran the cloth over the high points removing the paint only on the high points. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7tonemonte Posted May 30, 2010 Share Posted May 30, 2010 Sounds like a good way to do it Bruce, I was looking at mine the other day thinking it was time to work on them. Another winter project! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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