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Renovate or buy stock dome hubcaps?
Betheeee - September 9th, 2014 at 10:55 AM

A question about feasability vs cost regarding my original dome hubcaps. Is it easyish to get the dents etc removed from my hubcaps, then rechromed, or would it be better to just buy new ones? I think one is not original as the VW is not black. I have done metal craftwork in the past, but not a lot with steel, so I am a bit lost on this one. My hubby has a lot of equipment, grinder/polisher, sanders, welders.. Might need to polish some hammers and make up a forms to match the dome shapes ... Hmmm, from the little steel work I did do YEARS ago, I would work it hot? Or not in this instance?

vw54 - September 10th, 2014 at 07:19 AM

The new hubcaps are NOT as good as the origionals
I would restore but it will cost more but better job

HappyDaze - September 10th, 2014 at 07:31 AM

If you decide to repair the originals, have the platers strip them to bare steel first. Unless you stretch the metal, by too much hammering, no heat should be required.

As Dave said, the 'old' ones are better quality.

Betheeee - September 10th, 2014 at 02:21 PM

Thanks for the advice. So, I guess I'll start on the worst one, so if I totally stuff up, its won't hurt too much if I need to buy a replacement. That or I track down a really dodgy one and practice on that, lol.

psimitar - September 10th, 2014 at 10:05 PM

As a heads up the best I've found so far to buy are from Just Kampers at $60 a pop. They say they are a fairly thick steel but doesn't necessarily mean they are made from good quality steel.

I'd be interested to know the re-chroming cost in proper triple plated chroming process and not single stage. Triple plating is better quality, shine, finish and longevity. :)

vw54 - September 11th, 2014 at 05:51 PM

Even the NEW ones with thick metal are crap as the chrome is very poor quality

Bizarre - September 11th, 2014 at 06:32 PM

Take your time and go to swap meets

You will get good ones cheap.

Just takes time

Check eBay and put a wanted up here

silver - September 11th, 2014 at 06:45 PM

I bought new ones and straight away took them to get re-chromed here in Sydney they did a great job $55 each..

psimitar - September 11th, 2014 at 07:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by silver
I bought new ones and straight away took them to get re-chromed here in Sydney they did a great job $55 each..


$55 to get them rechromed? Really? That's cool. I wonder if it'll cost the same in Brisbane? Last time I asked it was bloody expensive :(

psimitar - September 15th, 2014 at 10:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by silver
I bought new ones and straight away took them to get re-chromed here in Sydney they did a great job $55 each..


Dude, what's the name of this company as I;ve been quote over $200 per hubcap from the few companies that have replied so far in Brisbane.

Betheeee - September 16th, 2014 at 01:54 PM

$200 per hubcap......Wow, thats quite a bit! Will definately be trying to restore mine, two are really fairly straight, two are a bit crap. One seems like a repro or a later one. The insides after cleaning show a lot less corrosion. I gave them all a good scrub, oiled the insides then polished up the chrome. I have to hunt up all the stuff I will need to restore them, so while they wait, at least they are shiny, lol.

psimitar - September 16th, 2014 at 08:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Betheeee
$200 per hubcap......Wow, thats quite a bit! Will definately be trying to restore mine, two are really fairly straight, two are a bit crap. One seems like a repro or a later one. The insides after cleaning show a lot less corrosion. I gave them all a good scrub, oiled the insides then polished up the chrome. I have to hunt up all the stuff I will need to restore them, so while they wait, at least they are shiny, lol.


Yup, hence why I hope the guy from Sydney replies cos then I can post them down there.

vw54 - September 17th, 2014 at 07:23 AM

I think the platers in Albury do a better job

http://www.alburyelectroplaters.com.au