Aluminum Wheel Caps
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Aluminum Wheel Caps
Anyone have (had) a problem with the caps loosening up on their aluminum wheels...and if so...how did you fix (glue)? I replaced mine because when I got new tires...the old ones were glued and busted when removed.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Maplewood NJ
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (hunt4cleanair)
Silicone caulk and stuff of the sort actually has a pretty good adhesive power. I've used it before for other stuff. How about the cast metal center caps that lock on with an allen screw? I've never used them, but I think they would hold. Anybody ever had them?
Matt
Matt
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (turtlevette)
I bought brand new caps a few months ago and they are still on the car, no silicone, I think you run into problems when the little tabs get broken off, when this happens you put a bead silicone/ RTV around the entire base and it will never come off even when you want it to. The only problem with that is if you buy new one it takes a few hours to get all that silicone off.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 548
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From: Richmond Hill Ontario
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (hunt4cleanair)
I lost several plastic center caps and the expensive emblems due to the unavoidable aging of plastic that makes it brittle and eventually loosens the spring-tension of the tabs. Clear silicone kept them on longer. I changed to the much heavier cast metal caps with 3 Allen screws that also loosen up after a while. The silicone and "Locktight" on the Allen screws has kept them on for a couple of years now.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,128
Likes: 3
From: Deltona (son of Deland and DAYTONA) FL
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (hunt4cleanair)
2 of mine seemed a little loose when I painted the wheels. I put a tiny dab of Permatex #2 on those in 2 few strategic places. They never have fallen off, I don't know if they would have without the permatex, so I'm not sure if it helped. With as little as I put on I figured it couldn't hurt.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (isosceles)
I went to NAPA to get silicone, had my cap with and asked the guy behind the counter what he thought. He said to use the 3M adhesive...superior to RTV stuff so I'm trying since I already have a tube!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,957
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From: Chico Ca
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (hunt4cleanair)
Those centers are available new at the GM dealership and they will fit tight as they are new. They come black but a quick wipe with laquer thinner cleans the cheap trim paint right off and there is chrome underneath it
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
Re: Aluminum Wheel Caps (hunt4cleanair)
I thought about this exact same thing when I replaced mine with an expensive oringinal GM set. I did not want to apply any type of glue or epoxy for the obvious reason of removal at some time in the future.
What I came up with was, double-sided tape. I cut the tape in very, very thin strip's and applied these strip's into the radius of the finned holding tangs. I then tapped them in place with a rubber mallet.
Yes, it was a tedious task, cutting the tape into such thin strip's, and making sure that the tape did not cover the slotted tang's. But, it worked out great, they are snug and can be taken off at any time, for what ever reason, cleaning, waxing etc. Hope this helps. :cheers:
[Modified by GREGG-73, 12:03 PM 6/19/2003]
What I came up with was, double-sided tape. I cut the tape in very, very thin strip's and applied these strip's into the radius of the finned holding tangs. I then tapped them in place with a rubber mallet.
Yes, it was a tedious task, cutting the tape into such thin strip's, and making sure that the tape did not cover the slotted tang's. But, it worked out great, they are snug and can be taken off at any time, for what ever reason, cleaning, waxing etc. Hope this helps. :cheers:
[Modified by GREGG-73, 12:03 PM 6/19/2003]
