Rogillio Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 OK, so I polished up the caps. Seem to be nickel plated and shined up like a new penny...uh...nickel. The one in the center has bullet holes in it and I supposed those were from a Bonny and Clyde bank job....so I kept the original patina on it.So the question is, did I help/hurt the historical value of the car by polishing the hub caps?~Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) You got me there Mike because I had always assumed they were aluminium (or aluminum as you guys say). If you saw the state of mine I don't know what you would say - they are in pretty rough condition and painted black!!. Mine need replacing but other things need sorting first so they are pretty well down on the list. If they are supposed to be nickel and polished then it's the first I have seen but it makes no difference to the overall value of the car and probably won't get noticed unless you are a pot hunter looking to please judges at a concourse show. These caps are often advertised on ebay (there are several different types, and not all interchangeable, but they are also available new from usual suppliers but at a price!. I'm still coming to terms with you guys and guns! There seem to be bullet holes all over the place!Ray. Edited October 17, 2014 by R.White (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeC5 Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I'm sure mine are plain old aluminum (which can take a nice polish with some rouge and a buffing wheel). I don't think it will devalue them unless you really went crazy with the abrasive and removed too much material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 [ATTACH=CONFIG]276119[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]276120[/ATTACH]OK, so I polished up the caps. Seem to be nickel plated and shined up like a new penny...uh...nickel. The one in the center has bullet holes in it and I supposed those were from a Bonny and Clyde bank job....so I kept the original patina on it.So the question is, did I help/hurt the historical value of the car by polishing the hub caps?~MikeI believe your caps are just aluminum. It will polish up like nickel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cahartley Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I should do that with mine.........but then I'd have to KEEP doing it........ :eek: .......then again those Dodges need all the help they can get in the bright work department........ :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27dodger0 Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Mine were in tarnished state, so after cleaning, I sprayed them with an aluminum rattle can. Now they look great, and much like the original aluminum!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogillio Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share Posted October 18, 2014 Mine were in tarnished state, so after cleaning, I sprayed them with an aluminum rattle can. Now they look great, and much like the original aluminum!!For some reason I had it in my head they didn't use aluminum back then. Guess I'm wrong.So what is aluminum rattle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
27dodger0 Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 It is a spray in a hand held can. Rattle can is what some people call them, as there is a marble in it to mix the paint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30DodgePanel Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 My vote would be for polish. Chrome, Brass and Aluminum grease caps should always be made to look like a shiny penny..... (or nickel)Just my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Vintage reproductions sells them. They are sold as unpolished aluminium. $125 each! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stakeside Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 They look good polished but become dull after they oxidize. Brass will loss its luster also. Can the surface be painted with a clear paint to save finish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 They look good polished but become dull after they oxidize. Brass will loss its luster also. Can the surface be painted with a clear paint to save finish?That's a good question. I know for a fact that aluminium needs an etch primer before a colour coat but whether a clear coat can be applied directly to the polished surface I don't know. I am thinking perhaps poly... varnish maybe?Where's Jason Anderson when you need him?Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayG Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Nyalic coating. I've used this on a brass bed before. No etching. It was to protect the polished brass from tarnishing. Comes in a rattle can and I believe I bought it from Eastwood. It's been a while. http://www.nyalic.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillOutThere Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Eastwood did sell Nyalic labeled as such but a few years ago they either changed the product or relabeled it with their own label and product name. I have used it under both labels with equal results so believe it is still Nyalic. GREAT STUFF. Maintains polish finish on anything. Check this tab: http://www.nyalic.com/automotive/ I also used it to seal forever a signature that an important figure to my car placed on the air cleaner housing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earlsworkshop Posted June 6, 2015 Share Posted June 6, 2015 Glossy clear powdercoat will protect the aluminum from tarnishing, and it's a tougher finish than most all clear paints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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