Restoring a '39 hubcap.

[39topless]

Does anyone know of a way to separate the stainless center part of the hubcap from the painted steel part? It appears that it would be very easy to ruin the stainless piece in trying to remove it from the steel piece. The EFV8 book on 38-39 Fords say that the center piece is "pressed" on. Maybe the photo will help. Thank you

 

[Lawson Cox]

Just carefully pry it off, going around the outside a tad at a time. You can also drill a small hole on the back side and blow it off with air pressure. Be very careful to not drill through the stainless.

 

[Seth Swoboda]

Do the hole drilling on the back side of the hubcap in the center. Then take your blow gun, blow compressed air in the hole and it will pop loose. As Lawson said drill carefully as to not drill through the stainless cap.

 

[V12Bill]

I drilled all 5 of my 39 PU caps and repaired them. The hard part is getting them back on. I had to sand the paint slightly to gain more space. I used a rubber knelling pad placed on top of an empty gallon can and sat on the hubcap. The stainless part popped back on after a few trys.

 

[slowforty]

Mr Cox Has the correct procedure. Make sure you have something to protect yourself and cap when it releases.

 

[hotcoupe]

when the time comes to put the stainless skin back on, place the carbon steel piece in the freezer over night and the stainless steel skin in the oven at 250* for 15 minutes. it will go back on with VERY little effort.
tom

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