Hub Cap Restoration

Browniepetersen
Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
edited October 2012 in HUDSON
I have recently written article about my experiences restoring the hub caps for my Roadster Pick up. If anyone would like a copy of this article drop me a note and I will return it with your email: EEEbrowniepetersen@readytek.net (drop the EEE)

Comments

  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Lot of folks asked for a copy, If I have not sent you one yet drop me another note. I kinda got overwhelmed.
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    Why not post on this thread? I'm sure there is a lot of interest.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    edited October 2012
    The article is seven pages long with several imbeded photos. I have a major fight just to post a single photo, I expect that if I tried to post the article it would crash the system? If someone has more knowledge or ability, perhaps a moderator, than me (that would not require much) I would email you a copy and allow you to post it.
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    Thanks Rick. I just looked at it and it looks great. Thanks again....
  • bent metal
    bent metal Senior Contributor
    Saved it. Thanks Brownie! And Rick too. :)
  • super-six
    super-six Expert Adviser
    edited October 2012
    I got it and saved it also. Nice article. Thanks!
  • dholck
    dholck Expert Adviser
    edited November 2012
    You might also consider vinyl masks for the hubcap lettering. What I found on Terraplane hubcaps is that after the hubcaps have been re-plated, there is a loss of the crispness of the edges of the lettering (so the remove-black-from -letters-with-thinner method wouldn't work that well) - plus, I couldn't find anybody willing to paint them. I went to a local sign shop and they made some scans and the computer cut out the black vinyl "Terraplane" lettering mask to go around the letters - I'm sure the same thing could be done for an Essex hubcap. This method means that the lettering is again sharp and crisp, regardless of the actual condition of the hubcap lettering. I've had them on for a number of years and they still look great.
    Of course the mask must be placed exactly correctly ...luckily, my sign shop was willing to stick them on, so, if they messed up, they made another one, instead of me ruining one and having to buy another.
    BTW, the same system worked for the unpainted 34 Terraplane hood ornament reproduction that K-Gap used to have with a white vinyl mask.
  • Marconi
    Marconi Senior Contributor
    Hi Brownie, Why don't you send it to Sam Jackson? Sounds like it would be a good article for the WTN!
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    I sent it to Sam first. Thought he might enjoy reading it. We do not see that type of an article very often in the WTN so I expect he will enjoy the article but I do not expect it to be published. I have written a number of articles and I have found that hobby publications stay mostly with the "My Story" style of personal articles. And, that is fine. If one of my "do it yourself articles" encourages anyone to try to restore something then I am happy.
  • 4Hud
    4Hud Expert Adviser
    Great article. What was used to repair the cracks, silver solder?

    Further to the vinyl mask on larger surfaces, I used thin vinyl with adhesive back from an arts supply store, placed it over top,tucked in all the edges tightly and trimmed the excess with a new exacto knife. It has been on my 37 Terraplane for over 15 years. Bob
  • Browniepetersen
    Browniepetersen Senior Contributor
    edited November 2012
    The hubcap skin is made from steel. I used the solder that we have around the shop to repair light weight items. When we repair thicker steel we use weld and grind it out. That was the process that we used when making the grill for my 28. I have not used silver solder because I do not think it is as strong as it needs to be. Also, since the skin is covered in copper the heavier solder runs into the cracks with no effort. I have attached two photo's of the grill that I was speaking of above.imageimageimageimage
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