Smooth hubcaps - Redneck style...
 

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As we all know, smooth hubcaps are just not available. Except, the spun Salt Flat disc caps for $100 a set. They're nice. However, not what I wanted.

So...

This is how I made a set of smooth covers for the Geo for just pennies.



Originally, I covered my existing hubcaps with duct tape.

Functional, yes...

However, butt ugly. :o

Also, heat and centrifugal force would work their magic slowly over time till it flew off.

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps0d302ac2.jpg



It's time to do something different. :)



Tools and materials


Scissors

Electrical tape

Large black trash bag (heavy duty)




Step 1.

Remove hub caps from car. (duh) :p



Cut trash bag into squares a few inches larger than the cap.

(1 lg. bag will make six 13"-14" hubcap covers)


Place cut square and hub cap on a flat surface.

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps4c22b543.jpg



Start tucking the plastic under the wire on the cap.

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps415336ca.jpg



Next, take the electrical tape and start to wrap around the cap in between the wire and the edge of the cap. Try to keep the plastic on the face tight as you slowly work your way around.

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps3d8a9bb2.jpg




It will take several wraps to make it tight and wrinkle free. A extra set of hands would be helpful in getting the wrinkles out. Then, remove the excess plastic from the backside with scissors

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps6b00ed52.jpg

(I did mine by myself, can you tell :o)



Alright, here it is on the car.

Better.

However, plain...

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps02c5a67d.jpg



So, I go with my inspiration. The VW XL1. :cool:

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...psd4dce40e.jpg



Some more tape and spray paint.

Tada...


Geo XL1

http://i536.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps4b4485ac.jpg



If you squint real hard, they look a little like the VW. :o




So far I have put about 2,000 miles on them with minimal problems.

(one or two need a little tightening)


I know they're cheesy...

But, they work and for the cost, they're hard to beat. ;)


:)



>

I like it :thumbup:

But all I have are rims :(

Same here! So, next time that I need tires, ask if I can quickly tape garbage bags to them before they mount the tires! Too easy! :D

I have a whole box of those heavy duty contractors bags from Home Depot

Technically, I could wrap my entire car! Then when it breaks down, I can just set it out by the curb on Monday

It's a blue XL-1

Another member here "The donkey CRX" made a decent looking wheel cover using vinyl sign lettering material.
(post #130)

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...-28815-13.html



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Here's the "permalink":

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post427797

I have an idea on making smooth wheel covers - I'll try to sketch it and post it soon.

does the wind cause the "garbage bag" flap even slightly in the wind?

i'm worried that centrifugal and wind forces will eventually cause the garbage bag to tear apart where the garbage bag wraps around the edge of the hubcap.

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No flapping in the wind.

No centrifugal problems as there is hardly any weight.

I have 2,000 miles on them. No failures...
(they have been 70+ mph)

Even if one were to tear apart, you would only be out of a few pennies.

Just keep a folded up replacement cover and some tape in the car.

10 minutes later your back on the road... ;)


>

I have used construction plastic sheeting, which I think is the same material as for these garbage bags. It works well for making smooth wheel covers.

However, the plastic will disintegrate over time, due to being exposed to sunlight. Just something to keep in mind.

I'm wondering about getting some car wrap vinyl and applying that to my Civic. It's wearing alloys and I can't put discs on it, but I think with careful application I could get the edge of the wrap down over the lip of the wheel, and careful trimming and heating would make a decent fit.

Anyone have any thoughts on that? Anybody tried it?

Yes, and yes. I still don't have enough posts to link you, but the donkey crx has a recent post about just this.

would be hard to check pressures.
i like the OP covers. some UV paint would make it last a little longer.

I like the idea, especially for getting a smooth cap that is tucked inside the wheel. Some of the pizza pan hubcaps protrude a little. I wonder if there is something you could spray on or apply to the plastic to keep it's shape but make it rigid and strong. Nothing comes to mind immediately but I think there could be something.

The tire protrudes wider than most rims, so having the wheel cover out a little bit may actually help the aero.

Case by case
 

I agree that the rim usually is inside most tires but the hubcap is typically close to flush with the tire sidewalls. When people add pizza pans to their hubcaps that can bring them past flush. Certainly it is something to look at from a case to case standpoint, but with the right tire and rim combo I think there could be some real potential in what I am suggesting.

How are these holding up or how did they hold up?

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Surprisingly, they held up well.

When you think about it.

What's the worst that can really happen...???

Nothing some scissors a little more tape and plastic won't fix.

10-15 minutes later, your rolling again.

;)


>

Well my tape finally started coming off, so I peeled it back off, and black primered the coroplast, actually looks decent, better than the tape!

I did my smooth hubcaps with self adhesive lettering foil, but they did not stand first sub-zero temperature night. That plastic got just too brittle, I think.

Probably the adhesive froze.

hmm I wonder how "rock guards" will help/hurt with regard to this concept. (you'll have to do you're own google search as the forum is not allowing me to post pics or links yet)