painted center caps on steelies

[kurokoma-kun]

Just thought I'd share my extremely cheap little mod with everyone. I liked the look of steelies so I took off wheel covers and covered hub w/ metal cap.

I painted gloss black, then sprayed again with sparkly clear (duplicolor Effex--highly recommend for anyone wanting to a match paint job that has multi-color sparkle in it). Also sprayed backs of mirrors for extra sparkle--seemed a bit dull compared to body color.

Very happy with results and will probably spray emblems to match.

[blacksan]

did you use the NAPA grease cups #730-2411? Did they fit nice-n-snug?

[kurokoma-kun]

Yes they are napa part and no they did not fit snug. Used duct tape inside to fit, then stuck on with gob of epoxy. I thought they would be gone before lunchtime, but a couple days and still secure.

[blacksan]

Yes they are napa part and no they did not fit snug. Used duct tape inside to fit, then stuck on with gob of epoxy. I thought they would be gone before lunchtime, but a couple days and still secure.

Hmmmmm, they where loose? If that is the case then you could just flare out the skirt by making mandrel, or by simply bending out symmetrical contact points with pliers.

[kurokoma-kun]

You are talking to a girl here... i know which is bizness end of hammer and can jerry rig stuff pretty well but wtf is a mandrel?

[blacksan]

You are talking to a girl here... i know which is bizness end of hammer and can jerry rig stuff pretty well but wtf is a mandrel?

I just walked out to the garage and put mine on for the first time and they are snug. Take a cresent wrench (adjustable) and tighten it on the inner skirt of the grease cup. Make a slight bend inward (I did it in 4 places) and test fit. When I had the cap snugly fitted I just taped them on with a rubber mallet until they where seated. Let me run them a few days and I will give you an update.

[Chris07LB]

Glad to hear you found them BLACKSAN

[blacksan]

Glad to hear you found them BLACKSAN

I was kind of shocked to find out that they where too big? I polished them up and bent/tweaked them until they where sung. I am going to find a better system of fastening them this summer, or caps that actually fit the ID vs OD of the wheel hub.

[kurokoma-kun]

Take a cresent wrench..Make a slight bend...etc

Thanks for explanation--I may try it when these pop off eventually...

will be looking for pics blacksan

[Chris07LB]

I was kind of shocked to find out that they where too big? I polished them up and bent/tweaked them until they where sung. I am going to find a better system of fastening them this summer, or caps that actually fit the ID vs OD of the wheel hub.

Should have measured them first then. I guess the Scion steelies arn't the same then afterall.

[blacksan]

Thanks for explanation--I may try it when these pop off eventually...

will be looking for pics blacksan

Let me make shore that this works and I will get you visual explanation of the procedure.

[blacksan]

Should have measured them first then. I guess the Scion steelies arn't the same then afterall.

I did not study the pics of Scion wheels closely, but I can not imagine they are not the same. Does this look like it is on the outside, or inside of hub to you?

[uncleyaris]

Great job on the paint, and thanks for the heads up on the caps. It's a good option for those steelies.

[blacksan]

Well, it looks like utility trailer parts shop will be the best bet for the correct size grease cap/dust cover. I have not pulled mine to measure the hub as of yet, but on a bright note after a brief test of the bend the tab fit I performed this evening all is well.

[Yaris Revenge]

Dang, Blacksan, that's a fine lookin' set of steelies! Certainly a better alternative than hubcaps.

~YR