Center cap teaser

[FHP813]

It was raining most of the day down here, so I figured I'd try the center cap mod. This is a "prototype". I need to figure a way to mass produce the pieces. I used a 2" pvc coupling cut to 3/4 of an inch. I cut the hub off the cap with a dremel tool with a mini saw attachment. I had to sand down the coupling to make it match the diameter of the hub. I will see if a machine shop can do this on a lathe to make it easier. Sandpaper will have to do for now. Let me know what you Guys think. I'm going to glue the pieces together with epoxy and fill any defects with body filler. A little sanding some argent paint ... Stay tuned.

[SSPGARY]

Very nice! Keep up the good work!:thumbsup:

[ImEvil1]

I see the beginnings of a tech article here....

:)

[Unmrkd]

The price of Escort caps just sky rocketed!!!!:D Good job Bernie, you now have a new cottage industry. Sell ten sets and retire.:thumbsup:

[86NeSSP]

The price of Escort caps just sky rocketed!!!!:D Good job Bernie, you now have a new cottage industry. Sell ten sets and retire.:thumbsup:

Good thing I have two sets!

Matt

[jarhed123]

Boy it has been a very productive day with all the rain. It is looking good, if you would have told me you were up to this I would have walked over to your house. Looking good, I am sure there are many eyes on your project.:Wow: :2thumbs:

[86NeSSP]

I am still trying to get these caps replicated myself.

Matt

[Andy]

looks Great! :thumbsup:

[FHP813]

Thanks Guys, I will try to finish one up and post pics.

[FHP813]

Finished one up today. I didn't glue it to the cap because it's damaged, I'll save it for another cap.

[ImEvil1]

Bernie.....you 'da man! Definitely gots skills. It looks great. :2thumbs:

[predator20]

It looks damn good.

[NoDrama43]

i guess maybe we won't need these anymore huh? oh wait....they are all sold anyway. and thanks to all those that participated in THAT sale....:fishing:

[ImEvil1]

i guess maybe we won't need these anymore huh? oh wait....they are all sold anyway. and thanks to all that participated in THAT sale....

Ummm...no. We won't need any $695 VASCAR cables, either. :waving:

[NoDrama43]

Finished one up today. I didn't glue it to the cap because it's damaged, I'll save it for another cap.

very nice bernie.....outstanding craftsmanship.

[FHP813]

Thank you, Thank you very much!! :D

[jarhed123]

Those caps came out very nice. Like in the Marines, we adapt, improvise, and overcome. Now we are working like scavengers to get the equipment needed to restore these cars and if we can't find it, we will reproduce it. I will see what I can do with the ventshades.:cool:

[FHP813]

Before and after.

[FHP813]

Close up.

[SSPGARY]

WOW!:Wow:

[86NeSSP]

Dude, you rock! That cap looks Excellent!

[Mustang Matt]

Daaaang- good work Bernie..

[predator20]

Great work!

[jarhed123]

I can't wait to get home from GA and see them up close. Great job.

[ImEvil1]

Daaaang- good work Bernie..

+1 (X1000). :)

[FlyinTiger]

So when are we going to see pricing and order information? It looks like you have a niche market cornered.

[xxtrpr]

Nice job Bernie!!!

[FHP813]

Thanks Guys, Just trying to do my part for the cause. :thanks:

[jpargo]

Bernie...Very Nice! A+

[SparkSVT]

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj320/SparkSVT/old_thread-1.jpg

[ImEvil1]

http://healthhabits.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/captainobvious.jpg

[NoDrama43]

Man I never saw the finished product. that freaking looks great !!!!

(Evil that is some funny sh** right there now.)

:rock:

[SSP8829]

Hello What type of epoxy are you using? What type of paint? and What type of grit sand paper? Any specific bondo? Spray or hand applied? Thanks!

[SSP8829]

Finished one up today. I didn't glue it to the cap because it's damaged, I'll save it for another cap.


I am new to this site and may have posted this twice... I am interested in performing some cap surgery and looking for some helpful info

For the Cap Mod---
What type of epoxy are you using? What type of paint? and What type of grit sand paper? Any specific bondo? Spray or hand applied? Thanks!

[FHP813]

I have all of the info saved. I will post up when I have a chance.

[John Connor]

I have all of the info saved. I will post up when I have a chance.

With pictures??? I hope so! This will be and early Christmas present. I have 4 escort caps for the 86 and need to do the upgrade.

[FHP813]

To all that were interested in the center cap mod. This is not a hard project but you must take your time, especially with the chrome caps as they scratch very easily. I put tape over the chrome throughout to prevent scratches. Any questions please post them here and I will try and answer them as best and as quickly as possible. I planned on doing a few sets and making a video but we'll see. Hopefully this info will be useful.

Escort to SSP cap modification.

The cap extension is a 2" PVC coupling that has been cut to 3/4". The coupling is too thick so it has to be turned down. The easiest way I found was to get a 2" pvc plug. Drill a hole in the center, insert a bolt and stick it in a drill press. You can put the cut coupling piece over the plug and sand it while the drill is turning. Use a block with 120 grit paper to keep things square.
Once the extensions are all the same diameter as the hub cap, they can be cut on a miter saw to 3/4” and glued to the piece of the cut hub. After the epoxy on the hubs and extensions sets up you need to make them as flush as possible by putting them back on the drill press and sanding the down slightly with 120 grit sandpaper.

I used regular body filler to fill in any imperfections, again sanding on the drill press to keep things round. After all the modded hubs have been sanded smooth they can be painted. I used Duplicolor filler primer and Duplicolor wheel paint.

I cut the hub off the cap by using a pvc cutting tool I picked up at Lowes. I chucked the saw in the press and cut the hub from the cap by putting the cap upside down and cutting from the INSIDE of the hub. If you cut the hub off of the cap flush you will have minimal work before gluing the new hub to the cap. I painted the modified hub before I glued it to the cap and before I painted the cap, this way you can clean up or sand any excess before painting the cap.

After all of the caps have been painted and glued they will need to set up for a few hours . I let them sit overnight. Once set up you will have to go back to the inside of the 2 front hubs and sand down the pvc extensions until they fit over the rotor hubs. I used a Dremel with a sanding drum in a circular motion against the direction of the tool, checking as I went, being careful to only take out what was necessary for the cap to fit. Take your time with this step, if not you can sand through the joint between the hub and the cap ruining your work.


The pictures are of 2 sets of caps, chrome and argent.

http://s173.photobucket.com/user/berno101/library/Center%20cap%20Modification?sort=3&page=1

[ImEvil1]

Outstanding post!

[SSP8829]

Thanks for the info and pics. I'll post mine as I attempt this mod on a few scrappy caps. Are you using a Lowes PVC pipe cutter on the top beveled portion of the cap? Seems to be logical... Thanks

[FHP813]

Are you using a Lowes PVC pipe cutter on the top beveled portion of the cap?

The saw is used to cut the hub from the cap flush from the underside. You should end up with something like this.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w45/berno101/Center%20cap%20Modification/centercap002_zps3ebefbdd.jpg