Wheel cover restoration
Moderator: redstangbob
Wheel cover restoration
I've got a 66' with the standard, non-spinner wheel covers. These wheel covers have a black painted ring with "Thunderbird" spelled out in white letters three times within the ring. On a couple of wheel covers, the black paint has worn off in places and I'd like to restore them. Re-painting the ring looks to be a very tedious job because it is difficult to mask around the ring, and then you'll have to hand paint the white letters. Has anyone restored their wheel covers using an easier method??? Do you know of any vendor who sells a self adhesive black ring to apply on the wheel covers instead of repainting them??? Thanks
Re: Wheel cover restoration
Have you checked with the Tbird suppliers like Pat Wilson, Larry's, or the Bird Nest? You may be surprised to find out that they supply restoration kits for hubcaps just like what you are asking for.
CDN Member since 1975 #2086
Flock: 1964 Landau Original Family Owned
1964 Sr Convertible "RAVEN"
Past: 2003 Blk Lab "RAVEN" "RIP"Nov 15/17
1964 Lincoln vin4Y86N00007
1964 Red Convertible
Flock: 1964 Landau Original Family Owned
1964 Sr Convertible "RAVEN"
Past: 2003 Blk Lab "RAVEN" "RIP"Nov 15/17
1964 Lincoln vin4Y86N00007
1964 Red Convertible
Re: Wheel cover restoration
I think John Draxler at Thunderbird Ranch sells a hubcap restoration kit.
1966 Thunderbird Convertible (Emberglo / White-Emberglo)
Modified 428 - stroked, rollercam, aluminum top end, headers
Livermore, CA
Modified 428 - stroked, rollercam, aluminum top end, headers
Livermore, CA
Re: Wheel cover restoration
John has been making the decals for over 20 years for a number of thunderbird MY. Have had them on some of my cars for about 21 years, they stand up very well.
Jim Mills
VTCI # 8071
VTCI 1964-66 Technical Editor
2002 Thunderbird
1965 Convertible
1962 Convertible (in progress)
1959 Ford Retractable HT
Many parts cars
VTCI # 8071
VTCI 1964-66 Technical Editor
2002 Thunderbird
1965 Convertible
1962 Convertible (in progress)
1959 Ford Retractable HT
Many parts cars
Re: Wheel cover restoration
Thanks,...I will give John Draxler a call.
Re: Wheel cover restoration
I used a fine tip black permanent magic marker on mine. It has lasted for 8 years now. Still good as new even after many washings. It was a little time consuming to do all four but I did during the winter when I wasn't using the car.
Re: Wheel cover restoration
Thanks,...I used your suggestion and it worked out well.
Re: Wheel cover restoration
I also used a white Sharpie paint pen to do the "Thunderbird" lettering.
Re: Wheel cover restoration
An off-the-wall question, I suppose, but did Ford use the same stamping for the '65 and '66?
Re: Wheel cover restoration
No, the 64's were unique. I think the 65 and 66 were different from each other too.
I really like th hubcaps of the 64's. As we all know, Ford was big on jet age styling and the hub caps have a great turbine look to them. They also look really good when they're cleaned up and have the scars and dents worked out of them.
1964 Coupe Wimbledon white/Rangoon Red w/black int. Owned for 42 years. It was my folks car before that (second owners). VTCI # 12013.