Wheel cover painting recommendations

[Alf]

I have a spare set of 280sl wheel covers which I’d like refurbishing and repainting. There are a few paint chips. Any recommendations in the UK where I could get these done? These were the ones originally on my car when I bought it. I had new ones about 15 years ago but the quality isn’t as good. The originals feel heavier.

[mdsalemi]

Any body shop SHOULD be able to do this for you.

Originals were chrome plated steel. Replacements (I don’t know when the change was made) are high quality polished stainless steel, which are a tad lighter. I’m only talking OEM from MB.

Then, there are reproductions out there made of a lower grade of SS and are lighter still.

[stickandrudderman]

Any body shop SHOULD be able to do this for you.

That depends on how authentic you want the finish to be.
A bodyshop that knows these cars will know that the factory used a stencil that gave a soft edge to the paint.
Amateurs will mask them with tape and get a hard edge. The difference is either tiny or huge, depending on your requirements.

[mdsalemi]

That depends on how authentic you want the finish to be.
A bodyshop that knows these cars will know that the factory used a stencil that gave a soft edge to the paint.
Amateurs will mask them with tape and get a hard edge. The difference is either tiny or huge, depending on your requirements.

For those so inclined that they must have that soft edge, one can always buy one or a set of these stencils.

https://www.authenticclassics.com/Painting-Stecil-for-Wheel-Cover-for-280SL-p/auth-007750.htm

I'm sure a shop would welcome a customer supplying a stencil, it would save 30 minutes per wheel cover easily, in masking.

Mine were painted by perhaps some of the most professional painters out there...hardly amateurs...but they masked them by hand. Nobody has ever critiqued the results of the wheel covers and the car has been judged many times.

With or without a stencil it's not a big deal.

[ja17]

Preparation is key. I used to slightly sand blast the areas to be painted to give the paint good grip. Then I used a good self_etching primer to get really good adhesion to the chrome or stainless surface. If you are not using the stencil, the secret is to use as little paint and primer as possible, which will leave a softer edge. The primer should just be a slight mist coat then use just the minimal amount of paint to do the job.

[zoegrlh]

Do the club have the stencil at one time. Seen to me that it was sent around from time to time.

[doitwright]

The stencil can be a challenge for even an experienced painter who has not used one before. Transferring the stencil from one cap to another during a continuous process can have messy results. Also, marking the stencil so it gets placed on the same point of the star during each primer, paint and clear coat step should be part of the process.

[mdsalemi]

The stencil can be a challenge for even an experienced painter who has not used one before. Transferring the stencil from one cap to another during a continuous process can have messy results. Also, marking the stencil so it gets placed on the same point of the star during each primer, paint and clear coat step should be part of the process.

...and while all this "fussing around" is being done, the good body guy/painter has masked two wheel covers already...

Some years ago, former member here Tom Rose from Idaho and I, both with 568 Signal Red cars, and both with new wheel covers, teamed up. He sent me his wheel covers, and I took them to one of the best body shops in SE Michigan. $300 and all 8 wheel covers were done...they were not interested in pursuing a stencil method.

[dirkbalter]

Stencils didn't work for me either. As mentioned below, the work is in the preparation.

[Jonny B]

I have done this several times. Dirk is spot on, preparation is the key. If you do this, remember to get the tape off relatively quickly, as the finish will crack if you let the paint dry completely. You have to be careful to watch where your fingers go, as you could leave fingerprints in the slightly wet paint.

[dpreston Virginia]

I had good luck with the stencil.
Here is the link to my project:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27187.msg194898#msg194898