Black background on hubcaps

[SGT FURY]

What is the secret to painting flat black backgrounds on hubcaps.
I imagine the factory used some template of some kind?
What have you guys used?

 

[rapidtrans]

Careful application of masking tape.
I outline the black first with thin vinyl pinstripe type tape. 1/8” seems to handle the tight curves pretty well. From there I use regular masking tape and newspaper. Krylon Satin Black gave it a nice factory looking dull sheen.

 

[patrick66]

Those were anodized originally, IIRC. Masking and painting with a satin black would look great.

 

[SGT FURY]

Gonna be some time taping the 61 hubcap!
No problems with spray paint sticking to stainless?

 

[shooter65]

You can argue about his methods but his results look pretty good.

 

[rapidtrans]

Here is my first cover painted. Note the crappy masking job I did on the outer edge. Taping curves with regular masking tape is difficult. I tried the thin tape on the rest with much better results.

The center spinner is removable making painting the background easier.
As for paint adherence I had no problem with just a degreaser type prepaint cleaner. I used an old can of Prep Solve I had laying around. Paint holds just fine as I’m painting over the old paint and bare stainless or anodizing.

 

[The Goose]

That was a cool vid restoring those wheel covers. I’ll have to hit NPD in Ventura and grab some SEM trim paint. A trick we got from an old hand back in the 80’s so he was doing it since the 60’s was using vasaline. Makes sense since paint won’t stick to oily metal he’d apply it to the part of the mag wheel he didn’t want the paint to stick - shoot it and then like in the vid he’d just wipe it off. On a Duke Boys western type wheel it would save a bunch of time and it looked pretty good to. Better than tape ever could. Ive got two sets of wheel covers I have to fix up and this all has inspired me. Thanks!!!

 

[bnz84]

Ive done the paint and then wipe off thing on emblems and smaller things. Was going to try a hubcap but found other things to do. Usually I need a little bit of laq thinner once its dry. I also have good luck for thin lines and cleaning up sloppiness by using the back of an exacto. Not the sharp side. Stuff like this is so much faster and looks better with the paint and wipe method

 

[HWYCRZR]

Yep the 3M trim black and a micro fiber rag wrapped around a piece of cardboard. Soak the rag with acetone and wipe of the hi shiny spots. Really cuts down the masking time. I will see if I can find a picture of my tail light painting process.
Here is a link. A little more complicated on the tail light panel. Had to do three different tapings. Once to spray the argent, and then tape up everything thing but what was going to be red. I started to tape each strip, but didn’t have the patience. So sprayed it all red and wiped with acetone with a rag wrapped around cardboard to just hit the higher spots. Spray wipe, Spray-wipe, until I had the coverage I wanted.
Link to the tail light section
68 Polara restore back on

 

[The Goose]

What do you guys use for the textured silver-gray areas? I think the bumpy shaker hood stuff might be a bit too bumpy.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Silver Argent. A little texture but not over the top.
This is what I used on my taillight and front bumper. Probably some use on wheels and hubcaps.