Advice on restoring hub caps

[rockfla]

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

[big job]

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

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by big job

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"!!!!

[Zeke3]

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

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

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!!!

[nelsb01]

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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.

[Zeke3]

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.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by nelsb01

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!!!

[hotcoupe]

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

[hotcoupe]

Tried to post images, no luck.
Tom

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by hotcoupe

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!!!!

[hotcoupe]

Images, maybe.

[Gregger Rod & Custom]

Originally Posted by Zeke3

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

[JSeery]

Added for hotcoupe

[Woodie1]

I tried the air method blowing through a small hole & had 1 pop off out 5 I tried.

[mercman from oz]

Those 1939 Ford Mercury are very rare hubcaps.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

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.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by Woodie1

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???

[nelsb01]

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.