Any idea on how to repaint these caps?
Posted by Blu_yello_husky@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 21 comments
Im repainting my 74 mercury and want the caps to look new as well. These are light duty tin caps, not heavy or thick metal by any means. Im wondering if the prep/paint process is the same as doing the body of the car, or if theres special steps ill need to take for the different material. TIA. if I dont get any good answers here ill probably have to ask a body shop
Obnoxious_Gamer@reddit
I'd use paint, personally
Whizzleteets@reddit
Damn I remember those caps
UnbelievableDingo@reddit
Mask off, Scuff with red scotch Brite pad, Wipe with denatured alcohol, Spray paint with even robotic strokes, 50% overlap.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
I dont think you can get spray paint in this color. I have 2 gal of T-4 Ford paint (same color it already is) to paint the car, can I not use that for the hubcaps as well?
UnbelievableDingo@reddit
Go to your local auto body supply shop
They'll put anything you want in a spray can.
Topcoat with 2k clear in a spray can if you want gloss.
ebolafever@reddit
You absolutely can.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
Can use the paint i have or can get spray paint?
ebolafever@reddit
Use the paint you have, not a spray can.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
Gotcha
Howyougontellme@reddit
I work in automotive restoration and this is how we would prep them. Only difference is we would use the same two part paint we use to paint the vehicle
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
Now, the paint on the car and the caps is single stage, no clearcoat. Ive been told I should use clear when I repaint, since the replacement is urethane and not lacquer, and it will look better with clear. Do i clearcoat the caps as well? Would that even work? I've never heard of painted caps having clearcoat on them
Howyougontellme@reddit
Yep, you can do clear on the caps but only where you paint. The clear probably wouldn't stick long onto the bare stainless.
Psych0matt@reddit
Step 1: repaint them
v8packard@reddit
Are these stainless steel? If so, they might have a chrome flash plating on them, making paint very tricky. If possible, after cleaning and prepping, prime them with zinc chromate. It is very tough to get zinc chromate, look at aviation and marine suppliers. Typically zinc phosphate is substituted these days. It just isn't as good.
An alternative is epoxy primer. Reduce the ready to spray epoxy with about 5% slow or very slow urethane reducer. Stir well, and let the mixture sit untouched for 30 minutes. After, stir again and apply.
Whichever primer you use, you can top coat with activated base coat, then clear, or use a single stage product.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
Im pretty sure they're tin. Theyre very light and not magnetic. They are painted from the factory, so obviously its possible to paint them. I highly doubt ford used all that special stuff for cheap color match caps on an entry level sedan from the mid 70s. Even the chrome trim on the car isnt steel or tin, its polished aluminum. I would be very shocked if they spent any more than nessesary to paint the caps
v8packard@reddit
They are either chrome plated stainless or aluminum. Not tin. And from this era, they are probably chrome plated stainless.
When the factory painted them they were baked. Using regular paint will not get the same results.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
Chrome plated stainless steel is very heavy. I've had cars with real chrome caps. Theyre heavy. Like, heavy enough that if it came off on the highway, it could seriously injure someone. These weigh probably less than 1lbs per cap and are flimsy enough you can flex them slightly if you try.
It sounds like ill just have to talk to a body shop. I dont trust the factory put that much effort into body matching caps that had to be ordered that way. Plus, others in here have said you can use the same paint as what I use for the body, just with slightly different prepping procedures.
v8packard@reddit
By looking at the picture above closely, I am positive they are flash chromed stainless. You say that's heavy, but it isn't. Very light gauge stainless was probably used.
You don't trust the factory put much effort into this? They are mass produced, screen masked, painted and baked. You are cherry picking the answers you want to hear. You don't know anything about the subject but you want to argue what you think. You are going to find out about adhesion the hard way. I have explained what works very well, for 30+ years of use, using available refinishing materials.
Apostasyisfreedom@reddit
Buff and polish the bare metal parts first - (so no risk to the subsequent new paint job)
Blu_yello_husky@reddit (OP)
Im planning on it
draco0562@reddit
I would use paint.