I know ppl have done this before but a quick google search didn't return a thorough run down of what all is involved. In my quest to save as much money as possible while impressing others, I picked up an original set of 5 1970 "Mexican hats" for my challenger. I know I can buy the adhesive centers and the correct paint, but what do you guys use for prep? As in stripping the old paint off, polishing the spots that show and best/easiest way to tape off for paint. TIA! Evan

A dip in Methylethylketone (MEK) solvent will lift the original paint right off with some light brushing from a soft bristle tooth brush. Doesn't affect the chrome at all. Then I usually polish up the chrome surfaces with a good chrome polish. Then I dunk them in Laquer thinner and wipe them with thinner soaked towels or rags. I scuff around the lug areas and the sides of the cone with a 3M Ultra Fine (grey) scotchbrite pad. Another good wipedown with thinner, tack rag and spray them. (No taping off) When they're almost totally dry, I wrap a clean T shirt around my finger and keep dipping it in Laquer thinner and wiping the outer edges and the top areas where the little discs go. Polish up the chrome areas a couple days later and they they should come out looking great. On a side note: you may not be able to get MEK solvent. Sometimes it's tough to find but a good, long soak in Laquer thinner should work the same. It just takes longer to get the original argent to come off. I never use any type of paint strippers on parts like center caps. It seems no matter how many times you wash and rinse with water and a toothbrush, it's never enough. It finds little spots to hide and comes back to bite you when you're laying down paint.

Wow! Awesome write up! Where would one buy MEK? Also do you before and after shots? I've seen NOS ones and they look like the tip of the cone has been taped off but the outer ring of the cap was a "get it close" paint job. On a side note how is spraying textured argent from a can? Does it come out even? Plug up the tip?

Thanks!! MEK is an ingredient in many different solvent type products and unfortunately.. it's deadly!! We use thousands of gallons of it at work both hot and cold and that's where I strip most of my parts. That way I just use the proper protective equipment that I always have access to there. I don't think I would even be able to ship you some but you might try a chemical supply house up in your area. They might sell you a small quantity like a few gallons. When that stuff is heated in a tank, you could literally just walk by with things like center caps on hooks, dip them in for 30 or 40 seconds and the original paint is history. I'm really thankful that I have access to this at work. It really helps with cleaning stuff. Regular Laquer Thinner will work like I said, but it takes longer and a little scubbing effert. Every cap I've seen with it's factory paint on it looks like it was wiped with solvent in a hasty manner. One tip from me to you... when spraying from the rattle cans, buy a couple cans. I've purchased cans in the past that are already plugged below the spray nozzle down in the can itself. Also, you'll probably never empty one can completely...it's hard to do. Probably has to do with all the micro-flakes in there. Each time I spray the can stuff, I pop the plastic spray nozzle off when I'm done and soak it in fresh Laquer thinner. Sometimes you might have to soak it for a few minutes in the middle of spraying because they do clog up a bit. I'll see if I have some before and after pics. This shot is a set I did a few years ago. They're Dark Argent but the camera flash makes them look a little light.

Lowes ect. has MEK

What color did you use for the wheels themselves?

tape and razor blade is your best friend. No need to get it straight. Lay it out and trace it with the razor.

Here's the number on the can.

Thanks for the info!

Thanks Martin, are you gettin' that BBQ sauce ready?

Edward, your wheels look great, thanks for the info.

Here's what I have from my resto pages. (EL5 71 those look very nice!)

Decided to do a little cleanup of some '71 Rally Wheel centre caps (appliques) that I bought off eBay, I have seven in total some are the correct dark (charcoal) colour for '71 and some are the argent silver for 1970. I loosely followed an article that I have from a June 1991 Musclecar Review magazine. Materials I used include: Eastwood's Charcoal Rally Wheel paint, 000-grade steel wool, chrome polish, 3M masking tape, and new rally wheel center cap inserts. This is the procedure I followed:

1. Use a fine grade scuff pad like a 3M or Scotch to rough up the area which will allow the paint to adhere. Be sure to get into all the hard-to-reach areas, like lug nut holes.

2. Use the steel wool to to clean the unpainted chrome areas and use a polish to then polish those areas.

3. Mask off the clean chrome areas with 3M masking tape, leave some overhang and then trim off the pieces with a sharp knife or razor blade. Mask the back of the holes to prevent overspray.

4. Then paint the cap keeping the spray approx. 18-30 inches away, remember to turn the cap around a few times to get all the areas and 100% coverage.



Here is the finish product, with a fresh coat of paint and a new center cap insert which I purchased off eBay. I think they look good enough and I spent about 1.5hrs and less than $40. The taping and masking was the time consuming part.

WOW!! They look great!! Nice before and after article. I'm still learning how to re-size my huge photos so I can post more pics of the things I work on. I forgot to mention... the Dark Argent paint I sprayed was Totally Auto's. It's pretty lumpy so it clogs up the nozzle frequently, and the little flakes are not a dead match for the original stuff but they're pretty darn close. These caps are alot of fun to freshen up being that the process is relatively easy and great results can be had in just a couple hours.

Here's a photo of the rims and tires for my Charger. Original 15X7 2944390 all same day dated. Center caps and trim rings are original. Rims were glass beaded, painted in SEMS Self Etching Black Primer, then Painted PPG Delstar Gloss Black Enamel with a little flattening agent mixed in. (NO Hardener) When dry about a week later, I sprayed them with Totally Auto's Rallye Wheel Silver. Looks a bit greenish when the flash goes off but they look good under normal lighting.