Other: Avanti Hub Cap Reconditioning

[jeds55]

Next on my Avanti project list Hub Caps.... Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated. Polishing is coming along. Concern has to do with painting the inserts. Taping off the black looks straight forward, and use a semi-gloss / satin (not flat) material. BUT, what about the painted aluminum areas? Has anyone found a product / technique that would duplicate the original look.

Thanks for your comments

[studegary]

Next on my Avanti project list Hub Caps.... Any words of advice would be greatly appreciated. Polishing is coming along. Concern has to do with painting the inserts. Taping off the black looks straight forward, and use a semi-gloss / satin (not flat) material. BUT, what about the painted aluminum areas? Has anyone found a product / technique that would duplicate the original look.

Thanks for your comments

First, I will assume that you mean wheelcovers since I do not believe that any Studebaker Avantis came with hub caps. There is a restoration kit available for the black circle and black outer trim. I have not worked with any covers that needed restoration of the aluminum appearing areas. I would try an aluminum metallic spray paint.

[tomlewis]

If you have, or have a buddy that has, a bead blast cabinet, tape off every other surface and bead blast. The glass beads leave a nice, flat matte, even finish on that stainless that will never need to be painted again. Sure looks like the original to me.

I don’t think regular sandblasting would leave an acceptable finish — too rough

Tom

[Jerry Forrester]

I am at the Moultrie Ga swap meet this weekend. The guy set up in the space next to me sells wheel covers and hubcaps. He has these for sell. $225 for the set of four. DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER.

[jeds55]

Jerry,

Thanks for the encouragement....your picture and the $225 price tag, just goes to show me how fortunate I am to have decent pieces that just need a little TLC.
Have fun at the swap meet...

[Hawklover]

Jerry,

Thanks for the encouragement....your picture and the $225 price tag, just goes to show me how fortunate I am to have decent pieces that just need a little TLC.
Have fun at the swap meet...

Checking some old invoices from the Studebaker dealer I found that I paid $6.75 for each Avanti wheel cover in 1967.