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Old 01-22-2021, 09:00 AM   #1
rockfla
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Default Advice on restoring hub caps

Anyone restored Mercury/Ford caps of this type?? I heard about drilling the hole in back side of shell and using compressed air to "pop" the SS cap off the shell. SO my questions are:


1) What size hole did you drill?? I would imagine around an 1/8, 3/16th maybe???


2) The biggest question of them all, what method did you use to get the caps back on the shell???


Thanks

Rockfla
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Old 01-22-2021, 09:16 AM   #2
big job
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

I'm confused as usual.?. Why not just buff the stainless and paint the surround ? Then
use a paint pin for lettering. And second I would not use a twist drill. If you must separate the parts buy a end mill used on milling machines, it will make a flat hole not a V hole..thats what I would do......sam
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Old 01-22-2021, 09:28 AM   #3
rockfla
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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I'm confused as usual.?. Why not just buff the stainless and paint the surround ? Then
use a paint pin for lettering. And second I would not use a twist drill. If you must separate the parts buy a end mill used on milling machines, it will make a flat hole not a V hole..thats what I would do......sam
What is "pictured" is just for "reference" purposes "only".......I have a set of caps that are "dented" "Scuffed" and "Scratched" and ALL need to be "worked"!!!!
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Old 01-22-2021, 09:30 AM   #4
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

Rockfla, here is the link to a step-by-step procedure to restore these hubcaps. Hope this helps out.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ghlight=hubcap
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Old 01-22-2021, 09:38 AM   #5
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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Rockfla, here is the link to a step-by-step procedure to restore these hubcaps. Hope this helps out.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ghlight=hubcap
Thank you very much Zeke3, funny how the mind works OR in this case didn't work as I never thought to do a "Search".....Thanks for making me feel stupid!! LOL.


IF any interest, I will document my project and post pictures AGAIN if any interest!!!
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Old 01-22-2021, 10:19 AM   #6
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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If you read the link to the hubcap repair, here is a picture of the form I made. Please note that the hubcap was 1936 and not your 1939 cap.
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Old 01-22-2021, 10:26 AM   #7
Zeke3
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

Thanks Bruce for sharing the information on your techniques for disassembling and reassembling these caps. It is a project I plan to tackle in the future.
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Old 01-22-2021, 10:40 AM   #8
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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If you read the link to the hubcap repair, here is a picture of the form I made. Please note that the hubcap was 1936 and not your 1939 cap.
YES, thank you as a picture is worth a 1000 words!!!
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Old 01-22-2021, 02:21 PM   #9
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

Hello, i have restored several of that type of hubcap, to remove the S.S. skin (approx. 0.012" thick) i use a #60 drill bit and just pierce the carbon steel cap, apply high pressure air and the outer skin usually pops off. To re-install the outer cap, place the carbon steel cap in the freezer overnight and heat the S.S. cap to 250*, and the outer cap will slide right on.
Tom
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Old 01-22-2021, 02:25 PM   #10
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

Tried to post images, no luck.
Tom
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Old 01-22-2021, 02:36 PM   #11
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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Hello, i have restored several of that type of hubcap, to remove the S.S. skin (approx. 0.012" thick) i use a #60 drill bit and just pierce the carbon steel cap, apply high pressure air and the outer skin usually pops off. To re-install the outer cap, place the carbon steel cap in the freezer overnight and heat the S.S. cap to 250*, and the outer cap will slide right on.
Tom
Wow, thanks Tom, will give that a try!!!!
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Old 01-22-2021, 02:37 PM   #12
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

Images, maybe.
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Old 01-23-2021, 02:36 PM   #13
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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Originally Posted by Zeke3 View Post
Rockfla, here is the link to a step-by-step procedure to restore these hubcaps. Hope this helps out.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ghlight=hubcap
That is fantastic information.

Thanks for posting the link,
Greegger
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Old 01-23-2021, 06:40 PM   #14
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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Old 01-23-2021, 07:03 PM   #15
Woodie1
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

I tried the air method blowing through a small hole & had 1 pop off out 5 I tried.
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Old 01-24-2021, 12:21 AM   #16
mercman from oz
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps


Those 1939 Ford Mercury are very rare hubcaps.
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Old 01-25-2021, 07:59 AM   #17
rockfla
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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Those 1939 Ford Mercury are very rare hubcaps.
Trevor, I just scored another set of 4 that need "restoration", thus the reason for the post.
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Old 01-25-2021, 07:59 AM   #18
rockfla
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

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I tried the air method blowing through a small hole & had 1 pop off out 5 I tried.
SO, how did you remove the other 4 If you don't mind me asking or sharing???
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Old 01-25-2021, 09:05 AM   #19
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Default Re: Advice on restoring hub caps

Make sure that your blower attachment has the rubber tip. That makes sure you seal the drilled hole and get the direct pressure of the air.
And you shouldnt need a lot of air pressure -- usually 20 lbs works.
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