1960s painting '60 Eldo wheel covers

[David Greenburg]

Like many cars I've seen, my car actually has '59 wheel covers. I'm thinking about getting them refinished, which seems like a good time to have the black rings added. Has anyone had success doing this, either doing it themselves or having the professionally done? I know that painting stainless tricky. I have a vague and distant recollection that there may have been masks available for this purpose at one point.

[Jon S]

I refinished the Cadillac Motor Car Division many years ago with smearing Testor's model paint over the area and wiping the excess with a cloth before it dried.  Process should work equally well on your stripes.

[59-in-pieces]

David,

Here are some pics of the difference between the 59 & 60 Eldo wheel covers - full face and close-up, concentric circles (unpainted & painted).

Are you also going to do the vertical stripes around the turbine hub, at the same time.

Just thinking off the top of my head, would this be an opportunity to have your wheel cover scanned, and a template made from the scan to expose only the areas to be painted.
The template could be made with a semi-sticky side (making it reusable) to adhere to the 4 wheel covers.
The same could be adapted to the vertical turbine section of the hub.
"Patent Pending"

Have fun,
Steve B.

PS
There was a guy years back who was selling Eldo wheel covers without the black stripes that were supposed to be for the 60 - who I called out at the time - glad I haven't seen him posting since.

[David Greenburg]

I must admit I hadn't thought about the vertical stripes. That adds a whole new layer of complexity. Interesting idea about making a template. I guess I was hoping something like that already existed.

I can  imagine taping to do the rings, but doing all those verticals would be insidious. And that's coming from someone who somehow found the patience to tape off the chrome "vents" on a '60 cowl grille. Went through lots of x-acto blades on that one. Might be easier to find someone  looking to trade a set of '60's for a set of '59's.

[59-in-pieces]

David,

I forgot to post a pic of the vertical lines of the turbine section.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I refinished the Cadillac Motor Car Division many years ago with smearing Testor's model paint over the area and wiping the excess with a cloth before it dried.  Process should work equally well on your stripes.

I love the Testors method.  Use it to tidy up details!

[59-in-pieces]

David,

I posted this process before.
I have used it on recessed areas on black lettered areas, as well as the cowl grill, like my 59 around the windshield areas of the transmission arms that come through the cowl grill.
Since your grill requires a body color between the chromed vent slots, it could have worked for you, back in the day.

Depending on the depth of the groove/gap to be painted - black or a color (at the bottom) and the amount of the chrome to remain exposed, I took strips of a wash cloth or bath towel and wrapped a small rectangular piece tightly around a piece of FLAT wood.

I painted the black or color into the groove to the top of the groove.
I then wiped the excess paint off by dragging the stick perpendicularly across the top of the groove.
The length of the knap of the toweling will wipe away the excess paint, leaving the paint at the bottom and the chrome shinny, and free of paint.
Tedious, but effective.

Although I have never tried using a PAINT PEN, with either a point or wedge tip, it seems that with a steady hand, it could work even easier.
Just keep a years supply of Q-tips ready to get rid of any shaky excess.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[David Greenburg]

Steve/Jon/Tim- since you guys have all actually painted stainless, did you encounter any adhesion issues? When I did my cowl grille (chrome, not stainless), I was advised to use an "adhesion promoter". I'm not sure if that made a difference, but it has held up well. Although I will admit I had the color coat sprayed by a body shop.


Steve- that sounds like a good trick, and would have save me a lot of hours on my cowl grille. I can practice on my rear wheel covers, where little mistakes won't be particularly visible.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

Steve/Jon/Tim- since you guys have all actually painted stainless, did you encounter any adhesion issues? When I did my cowl grille (chrome, not stainless), I was advised to use an "adhesion promoter". I'm not sure if that made a difference, but it has held up well. Although I will admit I had the color coat sprayed by a body shop.


Steve- that sounds like a good trick, and would have save me a lot of hours on my cowl grille. I can practice on my rear wheel covers, where little mistakes won't be particularly visible.

Never had an issue although I didn't use much since alot of the original paint was still there, albeit faded out in spots.

[Clewisiii]

After this conversation started, I ordered a can of adhesion promoter to help in painting my chrome. Took a long time to be delivered.

[Jon S]

Steve/Jon/Tim- since you guys have all actually painted stainless, did you encounter any adhesion issues? When I did my cowl grille (chrome, not stainless), I was advised to use an "adhesion promoter". I'm not sure if that made a difference, but it has held up well. Although I will admit I had the color coat sprayed by a body shop.


Steve- that sounds like a good trick, and would have save me a lot of hours on my cowl grille. I can practice on my rear wheel covers, where little mistakes won't be particularly visible.

The Testor's paint has stood up very well for 14+ years. Looks like they were done yesterday. No adhesion promoter required.