The Hubs - What to do

geared · 09-12-2012, 06:50 PM

SO I just got some CCW Classics, race cut (dont accept center caps). I was planning on trying to get some center caps made, but 400 is just too much.

I want to try to treat the exposed hub. I.e. take off the center caps of your wheels to see what I mean.

Ideally, If I could "high polish" them, and make them look like the centers of the wheel, thatd be best. could I sand them, polish them, then clear them? with no negative effects? Do you think I'd get the look Id like?

I guess my other option is to buy paint closest to, and paint them. But can I do that without causing issues?

The car is still under warranty. This is a purely cosmetic type of fix.

Thanks,

jb

geared · 09-13-2012, 01:13 PM

hmmm.

geared · 10-01-2012, 11:02 AM

thanks for all the help guys

Pig Farmer · 10-01-2012, 06:03 PM

Geared - I think you are better of trying to fabricate some center caps for your wheels. The hubs are made out of some type of high carbon steel that rusts virtually overnight. I seriously doubt you could polish the hub to a shine and paint and/or clear coat probably wouldn't last very long due to the heat and elements. If I were you, I'd measure the ID of the wheel and see if you can find a nylon plug/cap that fits the hole. There's a hardware store in the Pramenade Plaza (in PBG) that has a bunch of different sizes. If they don't have ones large enough, I'm sure they can order the correct size. After getting the correct size, I'd either paint the caps or laminate them with carbon fiber. The best place for carbon fiber locally is Glue Products (in WPB).

geared · 10-02-2012, 08:36 PM

Thats an interesting thought, thanks.

Im worried about them "flying" off at highspeeds - with the hot florida sun, the high heating and subsequent cooling of that area from driving, and water...

I may give that a shot.

Pig Farmer · 10-03-2012, 06:31 AM

I took a look at the CCW Classic and I think my original suggestion won't work. It looks like the wheel fits on the hub and the face of the wheel is essentially flush with the outer edge of the hub. After seeing this, I would clean up the concaved center portion of the hub with a wire brush and acetone. I would paint the inner part of the hub with a thin coat of two-part epoxy resin (use #95 Thin Part A and #451 Part B). Then stretch a piece carbon fiber cloth over the hub and hold it in place with a rubber band. After wetting out the carbon fiber, you can decide whether to mold the carbon fiber to the concaved inner portion of the hub or pull it tight so it just touches the outer edge of the hub (so it appears flat when the wheel is installed). Let the epoxy set up for 12-18 hours (to the point where the carbon fiber feels dry but is still flexible) then trim off the excess carbon fiber/epoxy with a razor blade. Once fully cured the carbon fiber will become hard as glass and there is almost no chance of carbon fiber coming off (especially if you mold it to the concaved inner portion of the hub).

Just for reference, I laminated my exhaust tips with carbon fiber and this epoxy. Carbon fiber by itself can withstand the heat of a propane torch without any effect. The epoxy is flammable and eventually breaks down under extreme heat. After a year, the carbon fiber laminate is holding up fine on the exhaust tips (and they get hot enough to instantly turn water into steam).

09-12-2012, 06:50 PM	#1
geared Major 265 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 90' s54 325i ; 93' carrera 2 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: palm beach gardens, fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 Corvette z-06 [0.00] 2015 BMW m3 [10.00]	The Hubs - What to do - Help! SO I just got some CCW Classics, race cut (dont accept center caps). I was planning on trying to get some center caps made, but 400 is just too much. I want to try to treat the exposed hub. I.e. take off the center caps of your wheels to see what I mean. Ideally, If I could "high polish" them, and make them look like the centers of the wheel, thatd be best. could I sand them, polish them, then clear them? with no negative effects? Do you think I'd get the look Id like? I guess my other option is to buy paint closest to, and paint them. But can I do that without causing issues? The car is still under warranty. This is a purely cosmetic type of fix. Thanks, jb
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09-13-2012, 01:13 PM	#2
geared Major 265 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 90' s54 325i ; 93' carrera 2 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: palm beach gardens, fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 Corvette z-06 [0.00] 2015 BMW m3 [10.00]	hmmm.
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10-01-2012, 11:02 AM	#3
geared Major 265 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 90' s54 325i ; 93' carrera 2 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: palm beach gardens, fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 Corvette z-06 [0.00] 2015 BMW m3 [10.00]	thanks for all the help guys
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10-02-2012, 08:36 PM	#5
geared Major 265 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: 90' s54 325i ; 93' carrera 2 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: palm beach gardens, fl iTrader: (6) Garage List 2008 Corvette z-06 [0.00] 2015 BMW m3 [10.00]	Thats an interesting thought, thanks. Im worried about them "flying" off at highspeeds - with the hot florida sun, the high heating and subsequent cooling of that area from driving, and water... I may give that a shot.
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10-03-2012, 06:31 AM	#6
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	I took a look at the CCW Classic and I think my original suggestion won't work. It looks like the wheel fits on the hub and the face of the wheel is essentially flush with the outer edge of the hub. After seeing this, I would clean up the concaved center portion of the hub with a wire brush and acetone. I would paint the inner part of the hub with a thin coat of two-part epoxy resin (use #95 Thin Part A and #451 Part B). Then stretch a piece carbon fiber cloth over the hub and hold it in place with a rubber band. After wetting out the carbon fiber, you can decide whether to mold the carbon fiber to the concaved inner portion of the hub or pull it tight so it just touches the outer edge of the hub (so it appears flat when the wheel is installed). Let the epoxy set up for 12-18 hours (to the point where the carbon fiber feels dry but is still flexible) then trim off the excess carbon fiber/epoxy with a razor blade. Once fully cured the carbon fiber will become hard as glass and there is almost no chance of carbon fiber coming off (especially if you mold it to the concaved inner portion of the hub). Just for reference, I laminated my exhaust tips with carbon fiber and this epoxy. Carbon fiber by itself can withstand the heat of a propane torch without any effect. The epoxy is flammable and eventually breaks down under extreme heat. After a year, the carbon fiber laminate is holding up fine on the exhaust tips (and they get hot enough to instantly turn water into steam).
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10-01-2012, 06:03 PM	#4
Pig Farmer Major 340 Rep 1,293 Posts Drives: E92M Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Geared - I think you are better of trying to fabricate some center caps for your wheels. The hubs are made out of some type of high carbon steel that rusts virtually overnight. I seriously doubt you could polish the hub to a shine and paint and/or clear coat probably wouldn't last very long due to the heat and elements. If I were you, I'd measure the ID of the wheel and see if you can find a nylon plug/cap that fits the hole. There's a hardware store in the Pramenade Plaza (in PBG) that has a bunch of different sizes. If they don't have ones large enough, I'm sure they can order the correct size. After getting the correct size, I'd either paint the caps or laminate them with carbon fiber. The best place for carbon fiber locally is Glue Products (in WPB).
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