wheel center caps...need new ones or paint>?

[ebaybrad]

Do these look good repainted>? Using what paint>? Or am I better off just getting new ones? I cannot seem to find them anywhere in good condition...not even on ebay...

thanks

[Szalkerous]

I have the same issue.... I'd like to find some automotive spray that matches the silver...

[svxcess]

Originally posted by aredubjay:

Also, for those who need to paint their center caps, I found that Plasti-Kote Import Color paint code Datsun 5412 matches the 94-97 silver wheels perfectly.

Also, for the 92 "gray" wheels, the color "Burnished Silver" works well. I was a little upset with the Burnished silver when I first painted them, because it looked just a little darker than the wheels themselves. Then, when I bought my second 92, it had brand new centers and they look just slightly darker than the wheels, so, I guess I chose the correct color.

Both of these colors should be available at Advance Auto or Autozone.

The thing to do is to sand the old caps down to the yellow, or very close. Then, "mist" them with XIM sealer/primer/bonder (available at most hardware stores, Lowes or Home Depot). I say "mist," because if you put a heavy coat on them, they immediately "blister" and the bonder gives you problems. After you've misted them with the bonder, let them set for a day for a good "cure." Then, paint. I used toilet paper tubes to sit the caps on for easy painting. Spray the caps as directed. If you're adventurous, you can try painting the "Subaru" in the middle black, by thinning some black paint, and using a very small brush to apply the paint, then "tilt" the cap to allow the paint to flow into the letters (I, by the way, was NOT adventurous).

My caps have been painted for two years now, with no signs of wear

.

[bwb3]

Don't your center caps also say "SVX" instead of "Subaru"? How did you do that?
Gene
See post #53 http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40674

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by bwb3

Don't your center caps also say "SVX" instead of "Subaru"? How did you do that?
Gene

The center caps were filled for me by another member, Mike "nubs" Novosel, on the network.

Basically, he roughed up the outer edges of all of the letters SUBARU with a Dremel tool and filled them in with epoxy. He layered it so that it was higher than the top of the center cap and then sanded it down when it was dry to the original contour. A little body filler putty to fill in any imperfections left after sanding and then a few coats of automotive primer.

When I sent my wheels to Transwheel for powdercoating, they refinished my center caps in matching acrylic lacquer with an acrylic enamal clearcoat. So now I had beautiful silver wheels and matching BLANK center caps.

I had created an .eps version of the SVX logo on my computer and scaled it to the size I wanted. I then took it to a sign shop, who computer-cut them out of silver (high-performance) automotive vinyl. The high performance stuff is thinner and holds up much longer than the regular stuff)

I made a template of the center cap so that each decal was applied exactly on center. They have been on for almost 5 years and are still perfect in every way. I still have a few spares in case they get damaged and I have to replace them.

They are very subtle and the color and metallic is a very close match to the wheel itself. Under different lighting conditions they appear and disappear.
.

[mohrds]

Originally Posted by svxcess

The center caps were filled for me by another member, Mike "nubs" Novosel, on the network.

Basically, he roughed up the outer edges of all of the letters SUBARU with a Dremel tool and filled them in with epoxy. He layered it so that it was higher than the top of the center cap and then sanded it down when it was dry to the original contour. A little body filler putty to fill in any imperfections left after sanding and then a few coats of automotive primer.

When I sent my wheels to Transwheel for powdercoating, they refinished my center caps in matching acrylic lacquer with an acrylic enamal clearcoat. So now I had beautiful silver wheels and matching BLANK center caps.

I had created an .eps version of the SVX logo on my computer and scaled it to the size I wanted. I then took it to a sign shop, who computer-cut them out of silver (high-performance) automotive vinyl. The high performance stuff is thinner and holds up much longer than the regular stuff)

I made a template of the center cap so that each decal was applied exactly on center. They have been on for almost 5 years and are still perfect in every way. I still have a few spares in case they get damaged and I have to replace them.

They are very subtle and the color and metallic is a very close match to the wheel itself. Under different lighting conditions they appear and disappear.
.

That would be awesome with the SVX "Horns" from the JDM Badge.

Anyone have an .eps of the SVX "Horns"?

Doug

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by mohrds

That would be awesome with the SVX "Horns" from the JDM Badge.

Anyone have an .eps of the SVX "Horns"?

Doug

I originally tried that as well, but it did not work to my satisfaction.

In the hood emblem it looks great for two reasons. The first is that it is three-dimensional and has depth. The second is that the small SVX logo between the horns stabilizes it and also gives it a direction (You know where the top of the logo is) That is why Dayle's floor mats could not compare.

The SVX part of the Alcyone logo is too small to be cut for center cap emblems. The horns look flat and dead when reduced to one dimension and you cannot be sure which is the top or bottom as they rotate.

When they horns are viewed upside down, its resembles a sort of misshapen Acura logo (see the attachments) The SVX logo was always flat and without dimension, so that this design worked for the center caps.
.

[AlcyoneDaze]

I was just curious:
why do you pictures of the Alcyone horns not have the 'SVX' in between the tips of the horns like my emblem? is that a difference between model years or 'old stock' badges or somesuch?

I love the idea of expoying in the center caps, they're the only thing still giving my car away as a subaru... i've convinced most stupid people that 'Alcyone' was a rare brand of imported italian/japanese concept cars i'm weird...

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by AlcyoneDaze

I was just curious:
why do your pictures of the Alcyone horns not have the 'SVX' in between the tips of the horns like my emblem? is that a difference between model years or 'old stock' badges or somesuch?

They ALL have the SVX between the horns as yours do. I just did some photo editing to remove the SVX and turned it upside down to make it resemble an Acura emblem.

Just using the horns, you would not know which way was up. Having the SVX in there tells you which way the logo is supposed to be seen.

As I said, the SVX portion is too small to be computer-cut as part of the center cap logo. All you could have cut were the "horns".

Sorry for the confusion...
.

[mohrds]

Originally Posted by svxcess

They ALL have the SVX between the horns as yours do. I just did some photo editing to remove the SVX and turned it upside down to make it resemble an Acura emblem.

Just using the horns, you would not know which way was up. Having the SVX in there tells you which way the logo is supposed to be seen.

As I said, the SVX portion is too small to be computer-cut as part of the center cap logo. All you could have cut were the "horns".

Sorry for the confusion...
.

Hmmm, Maybe instead of a decal, get the full emblem releif CNC'd into the center cap. That could be interesting (and expensive)

[AlcyoneDaze]

make it a group buy and make it worth it...

[cozykat]

Following John, I have sanded, filled in, and painted my center caps.
I used a Bondo Repair Kit (which is a polyester resin) to fill in the "subaru" on my center caps.
Since I couldn't find the Burnished Silver or Plasti-Kote Import Color paint code Datsun John recommended, I used my fairly new (5 year old) center cap to color match the silver (deciding on Dupli-Color T191 Ultra Silver). I Sanded, Filled, Painted and then followed with several layers of clear.
They ended up being an almost exact match to the original cap. The funny part was that when I put them on my SVX.. they were all lighter than the rim! (Including the original which I never noticed until then. ) I live with it as painted caps look much better than the faded mess they were before. My next plan is to add the SVX logo like John has.. I have the logos but I need the weather & time to be my friend again so I can apply the stickers and then put more clear coat for protection.

side note: I put the SVX logo on my painted calipers. I think it looks neat while serving no real purpose and will probably never be noticed by anyone but me...

[cozykat]

I took a new picture of my painted caps with the SVX logo - which I copied from svxcess.

I got my logos from Billy : nascar_junkie1 through eBay.

p.s. I didn't put clear coat on top of the logos - as per your instruction, John

[svxcess]

Marisa,
The caps look GREAT!!. They couldn't have been gone better if I had done them for you myself. Talking to you on the phone about how you did them, the procedd was correct in every way.The logos seem to be a little less subtle than mine, but they needed to stand out just a little more to compete with your new red paint.

You definitely are not a woman to sit back and leave things alone. Whether sanding and refinishing your headlights, chasing down a new source for floor mats, or filling your own center caps, you possess that enthusiasm which makes this network shine.




Speaking of shine, once you discover the Dremel tool, your automotive life will a lot less dull. Its an addictive thing, so be careful.

Once again, a great job! Are you going to do a write-up or a How-to on how you did these? I am sure Billy (nascar junkie) still has your graphics file for the centers for those who want to do this project. I am looking forward to seeing them (or at least you) at Reading IX



Speaking of Reading IX, don't forget the "10th Tee Shirt Challenge"... less than 29 weeks

[cozykat]

Originally Posted by svxcess

Marisa,
The caps look GREAT!!. They couldn't have been gone better if I had done them for you myself. Talking to you on the phone about how you did them, the process was correct in every way.The logos seem to be a little less subtle than mine, but they needed to stand out just a little more to compete with your new red paint.
Once again, a great job! Are you going to do a write-up or a How-to on how you did these? I am sure Billy (nascar junkie) still has your graphics file for the centers for those who want to do this project. I am looking forward to seeing them (or at least you) at Reading IX

Thanks John
Here is the final photo. I had a "photo shoot" today and took a picture of wheel completed to give you an idea of how they look typically.
I'm pretty happy with the result.

Yeah, I'll pretty much try anything that I can't kill myself doing... or at least, I'm fairly certain I won't die trying.. lol

I could write a how to but I think my long process might annoy most. I put several coats of silver and clear, sanding in between. Maybe once the Gallery opens up to everyone, I will write something up.

TTYS