Faded Centre / Center Caps? Make Them Like New Again.
#1
Faded Centre / Center Caps? Make Them Like New Again.
Recently asked if some one had re-conditioned his hub caps, to no avail.
As I really wanted to stay with the original Jaguar ones, opposed to the cheap(er) later versions or the Chinese knock-offs, decided to go ahead with my faded (pink in stead of red) caps.
Took them carefully apart with the help of some heat from a hair blower, then cleaned the remains of the double sided tape and old paint.
Sealed the chrome leaper (to protect any tiny holes in the chrome becoming red spots), then painted the inside with 3 layers of red.
Finished with installing them back in the housing with some thin, 3M double sided tape.
By the way, as the cover is transparent, you can think about other backgrounds then just one plain color ...
Now just waiting for my rims to be finished after reconditioning and fitted with some new rubber.
As I really wanted to stay with the original Jaguar ones, opposed to the cheap(er) later versions or the Chinese knock-offs, decided to go ahead with my faded (pink in stead of red) caps.
Took them carefully apart with the help of some heat from a hair blower, then cleaned the remains of the double sided tape and old paint.
Sealed the chrome leaper (to protect any tiny holes in the chrome becoming red spots), then painted the inside with 3 layers of red.
Finished with installing them back in the housing with some thin, 3M double sided tape.
By the way, as the cover is transparent, you can think about other backgrounds then just one plain color ...
Now just waiting for my rims to be finished after reconditioning and fitted with some new rubber.
The following 16 users liked this post by ericjansen:
Alan Stoldt (10-10-2015),
andrew lowe (03-02-2015),
BW_Hunter (03-02-2015),
Byakuyan100 (05-09-2019),
cjd777 (03-03-2015),
and 11 others liked this post.
#3
#4
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Glasgow, Scotland UK
Posts: 47,302
Received 9,010 Likes
on
4,113 Posts
#5
Wet sandpaper, laying on a flat surface, just circle the caps around on it.
It comes off quite easily, then use super-fine to prep before painting.
Most important is the to seal the chrome though, hold it against a strong light to see any damage which you will need to tough-up.
As you can see, I had one ''try-out'' cap, which was missing the chrome on one ear, and used super shiny flaked chrome nail polish to repair.
Invisible repair!
It comes off quite easily, then use super-fine to prep before painting.
Most important is the to seal the chrome though, hold it against a strong light to see any damage which you will need to tough-up.
As you can see, I had one ''try-out'' cap, which was missing the chrome on one ear, and used super shiny flaked chrome nail polish to repair.
Invisible repair!
#6
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Crossroads of America
Posts: 19,533
Received 13,025 Likes
on
6,504 Posts
Eric,
A very ingenious solution to a common problem, and since the same center / centre caps were used on many models, XJ40, XJ81, X300, X305, X306, X308 and XK8, and they will fit X350, X358 and probably others, your Top Tip is going to be useful to a lot of owners for years to come.
Thanks for the great idea and for taking the time to photograph and post your work!
BTW, was your plastic in good shape or did you polish it with something like 3M Plastic Polish?
Cheers,
Don
A very ingenious solution to a common problem, and since the same center / centre caps were used on many models, XJ40, XJ81, X300, X305, X306, X308 and XK8, and they will fit X350, X358 and probably others, your Top Tip is going to be useful to a lot of owners for years to come.
Thanks for the great idea and for taking the time to photograph and post your work!
BTW, was your plastic in good shape or did you polish it with something like 3M Plastic Polish?
Cheers,
Don
Last edited by Don B; 03-03-2015 at 06:29 PM.
#7
I also cleaned and polished the chrome rings.
The picture still shows some pitting in the chrome, but this is hardly visible in real.
It is very hard to determine how far you can go before ending up with the plastic color ....
Trending Topics
#8
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Crossroads of America
Posts: 19,533
Received 13,025 Likes
on
6,504 Posts
The following 2 users liked this post by ericjansen:
lcmjaguar (03-28-2015),
retromotors (04-15-2015)
#10
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)