Flaking center caps…
 

Decided to see if I could get the center caps back to decent condition. I have noticed that this is a very common problem with stock wheels/center caps. I didn’t take any pictures of the before (didn’t think of it) but we all know what the flaking center caps look like.

I got some paint stripper and applied a coat to each center cap and let them sit for 5 minutes. Took a stiff plastic brush and under running water started scrubbing and the paint peeled right off…

https://img142.imageshack.us/img142/...ling001gq6.jpg

Got a can of silver paint from the parts store that most closely matched the stock wheel color and applied 4 thin coats making sure not to apply the next coat until the previous one was completely dry. Turned out pretty good.

https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2838/capswh9.jpg

Sorry for the long post for basically just repainting the stock center caps. :o:

how close of a match is the color? and what brand and color code / name :) could b useful to a lot of ppl. excellent work :icon_tup:

looks good man, make sure to post a pic of them back on the wheels

The paint stripper I used was Lepage Super strippa (LOL @ Strippa) and the paint I used was Dupli-color Auto Spray CDSGM337 (47-0289-4). The match is not 100% more like 97%. I don't think I can match it better. It basically looks like the center cap is new and the wheel is a bit older but you really have to look to notice any difference.

https://img184.imageshack.us/img184/9510/caps006ro4.jpg

Keep in mind the flash on the camera makes the difference in color a bit more noticable...

https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3892/caps003mh6.jpg

https://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7932/caps002he3.jpg

https://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5799/caps001td3.jpg

I don't remember which thread it was in, but I found the knowledge quite useful when I painted mine years ago. The thread referenced a German paint (Silber Spray)
http://www.1z-usa.com/sys-tmpl/paint/ and it was a perfect match.

you can kinda tell from the side but it looks perfect head on

In person this is such a close match that I couldn't be botherd to look for a specific paint that is not available at the local parts store... I am also sure I could have found a perfect match if I were to put more effort into it. LOL

Exactly. It is less noticable in person than in the pictures. Much better than the flaking black/siler they were before thats for sure. :icon_tup:

The difference in 'color' is actually more of a difference in texture and reflectivity.

In any case, I've seen someone jam notecards all the way around the rim to block off the tire, than strip/paint the wheel too.

Dave

That's a good way to put it. :icon_tup:

hey guys.
i really hate to revive an old thread but this is relevant to what im trying to do.

i got everything i need to paint the center caps, but i have no idea on how to get them out of the wheels. i've searched and people say to just pop them out, but its not working and i worried of gouging them.
so, anyone out there have any tips on this topic?

sidenote: i got the same paint stipper as above, but i decided to pick up the dupli-colour high performance wheel coating (CHWP10100) instead, so i'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Sounds good can't wait to see the results.

i'm gonna have a fun times cleaning the wheels while i'm at it. the previous owner apparently lived out in the farmlands so the filth is just cake into them.
but back to the center caps. is it just a matter of prying them off, or am i missing something?

You need to unbolt the engine before the wheel caps can come off :rlaugh: jkjk

Remove the wheel from the car and tap them out from outside in.

PS: bumping old threads is always preferable to starting new ones.

Dave

k thx for the help.

i just tried it and it worked like a charm. i'll let you guys know how it turns out.

when i started
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...y/HPIM0405.jpg

after stripping, bad photo i know, but it is pretty clean
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...y/HPIM0406.jpg

after the painting, it looks good but doesn't really match. i'll have to wait till its dry to see for sure
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...y/HPIM0407.jpg

edit: damn, i didnt realise the photos were so blurry, i'll try to clean it up for the final picture.

Toyota Silver touch up spray paint is damn near a perfect match - I've used that on many FD center caps.

My method - use a Scotchbrite pad to remove any loose paint that's still on there and rough up the plastic surface a bit. Use a paint prep degreaser on the cap to get all the gunk off and make sure it's nice and clean. Spray a few coats on, good to go.

This is a REALLY easy and cheap thing to do to an FD that makes a HUGE difference. It's criminal when I see pics of FD's with messed up center caps - it makes the whole car look bad, and it takes very little time to fix it up right.

BTW, remove the wheel from the car, press on the outside of the center cap (the part with the Mazda logo) and it will pop inwards. Put the wheel back on the car. When you're done, just go around the car popping the center caps back in.

Also, neat trick - sand down the "toilet bowl" emblem flush, paint it, and get 4 small flying M Mazda logos to stick on - Ray at Malloy knows the ones that are the right size. If you're going 99 look, that's a cheap way to update the center caps.

Dale

Looks good! I too had mainly black center caps and finally stripped and painted them...it was unreal how much better the car's wheels look.

i actually have an idea i was thinking of putting into practise.
i was wondering what it would look like if you painted the eternal flame symbol to match either the brake caliber of the body colour. i don't think it would look that great in black (which i have dammit lol) but in blue or red it might look alright.

lol....well, I actually painted one of my caps yellow to match the yellow calipers I have. I mounted the wheel and took a few minutes to look at it, and really sort of liked it, then I went away and came back a few hours later and decided it was a bit high on the 'rice scale'. For me it was borderline but in the end I painted them silver. I don't know about having a different color for the 'eternal flame' part...might look okay, might look odd. My suggestion is just to do it and see.
And post pics.