hub cap painting/refiinishing

[Michael D.....]

Does anyone know of a shop that will repaint/refurbish center pagoda hub caps with the Mercedes emblem?

[w113dude]

I just did a set, I'll send you some images tomorrow.

[Richard Madison]

Auto paint shop should be able to tape and paint the hubs but the cost might be a bit much since they have to apply the tape which takes time if done correctly...and there is also the possibility that they might not be too careful and you'll be disappointed.

A number of us have painted our own hubs. I did mine last Winter.

There are messages here with detailed step by step photos for Do-It-Yourself hub painters. Takes some flexible masking tape, a rattle can of paint, and a bit of time. (The hub color should match the hard top color.)

There is a Stencil for the older 230SL two part hubs...not sure if the quality is as good as using tape.

Richard M, NYC

[franjo_66]

Talk about timing, I just taped up the centre hubcaps for my 230SL last night.

It took about 2 hours to do all four. I used a thin blue tape for the edges and star as the tape can be made to curve. I managed to do it without using any trimming instruments (ie razor)

I am fairly fussy, but must say I was very happy with the results. It was nowhere bad as I had anticipated. I guess using the right equipment goes a long way

Rgds
Franjo

[sjiatrou]

Here are some pix of my 450slc hubcaps masked and painted Astral Silver. I think it came out nice and it was quite economical, painters tape and a can of Astral Silver touchup.

[cascadia]

My paint guy here in Portland has a factory masking stencil that you place over the center star and another that goes around the outer edge, looks like a donut.  Produces a nice factory look with just a little fade off, like the originals.  I found out he had them after I spent hours taping mine to prep them for paint.    Might be worth a call to some of your local paint shops that specialize in imports.

[HooToTheCore]

How are these hub caps preped so that the paint doesn't peel off the stainless steel surface?  Thanks in advance for any advice.  My paint professional want's $50 per cap (too much for me).

[Richard Madison]

Search the forums for "hub" "cap" "paint" to find step by step instructions with photos.

Richard M, NYC

As Senior Curmudgeon, can I suggest that we all search the forums and the Tech Manual before asking a question?