09-20-2010, 08:08 PM
OK, I've finally got my technique to a point where I'm satisfied enough with the results to post a thread and offer up this service to forum members (and any fellow P-car owner for that matter). So here's the deal. We all know that the center caps tend to fade over time, the red areas first, then the gold, and finally you're left with a bland silver cap with faded black areas.
I strip them down to bare metal (I've had success with the plastic ones too), fill in any scratches, divets, screwdriver nicks from improper removal, prime, sand, repeat as necessary, finish the cap Wurth Silver Wheel laquer, the crest with Gold Metallic, and then hand paint the red and black with an acrylic enamel which should hold up better than whatever the factory used. I even found some translucent red that allows the gold backing to shine through very similar to OEM. I then clear coat the entire cap, shield included, which again, should hold up better than OEM. The gold on the crest isn't as shiny as factory new since that's actually a plated finish, but this looks very nice and the darker gold is a nice contrast with the bright silver.
This "after" photo was taken prior to the clear coat process.
If anyone is interested, price is $100.00 - either send me your caps and I'll return them or if I have a set ready, I'll use your as cores as long as they're in good shape, and send you a refinished set upon receipt of your old ones. If you don't want Wurth Factory Silver (stock OEM color), I'll do any color you want but I'll need to know paint info and you get to reimburse me for that custom color! PM for more info and I'll get you to me regular e-mail so we don't clog up the forums.
- Darryl
I strip them down to bare metal (I've had success with the plastic ones too), fill in any scratches, divets, screwdriver nicks from improper removal, prime, sand, repeat as necessary, finish the cap Wurth Silver Wheel laquer, the crest with Gold Metallic, and then hand paint the red and black with an acrylic enamel which should hold up better than whatever the factory used. I even found some translucent red that allows the gold backing to shine through very similar to OEM. I then clear coat the entire cap, shield included, which again, should hold up better than OEM. The gold on the crest isn't as shiny as factory new since that's actually a plated finish, but this looks very nice and the darker gold is a nice contrast with the bright silver.
This "after" photo was taken prior to the clear coat process.
If anyone is interested, price is $100.00 - either send me your caps and I'll return them or if I have a set ready, I'll use your as cores as long as they're in good shape, and send you a refinished set upon receipt of your old ones. If you don't want Wurth Factory Silver (stock OEM color), I'll do any color you want but I'll need to know paint info and you get to reimburse me for that custom color! PM for more info and I'll get you to me regular e-mail so we don't clog up the forums.
- Darryl
