Paint recommendations for center caps

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

As a winter project, I was thinking of painting the crests on my (presently) black Fuchs center caps. Has anyone done this? What sort of paint should I use? Should I use a clear coat over the colored paints?

Thanks.

pwd72s · 10:06 AM

Is your car a dark color? If so, you might consider my paint job...I simply took car color touch up paint, kinda slopped it in the low spots of the crest, then before the paint dried, wiped the excess away with a stiff paper towel containing laquer thinner. This was done decades ago, & I still get compliments on the look. Edit: The trouble is, this won't be much of a winter project, time wise..it's much easier & faster than the multi color hand paint jobs. But I do like the look...

s_wilwerding · s_wilwerding's Garage

No, my car is white - I think it might look a little funny with white crested center caps. I'd like to paint the crests the way they are supposed to look - black, red, and yellow.

pwd72s · 11-06-2002, 10:07 AM

White would make it difficult, I admit.

Targa Dude · Targa Dude's Garage

Hi Steve, I did the same thing a few years back.
I used touch up paint that you can purchase at Kragens or just about any auto parts store that carries touch up paints.
you will find all the colors you need in little finger nail size bottles
Go to a local art store and purchase smallest brushes they have.
If you can aquire a large magnifine glass it will make it alot easier. when your done spray them with clear.

Jorge (Targa Dude)

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Al Reed wheels (actually, Al's wife) did mine for $20. Worth every penny. Here's a link to an old photo.

For the record, I think she uses Testor's model (enamel) paint. Car touchup paint would be okay, I think the enamel paint fills in the depressions and levels out better.

efhughes3 · efhughes3's Garage

Isn't the real color orange instead of red in the Porsche crest?

steve911 · steve911's Garage

A hobby of mine...
go here

key is preparation - I usually strip off all the old paint, prime and paint. At the very least, make sure the crests are clean -- wipe them down with mineral spirits.

Biggest decision is whether you want a matte, satin or gloss on the center caps. The crests themselves are done (at least by me) using Testors enamel.

Steve - PM or email at steven_rosenzweig@yahoo.com with any questions.

Ed, early crests were orange. Later & current crests are red.

McDaniel · 11-06-2002, 11:42 AM

Somebody, I can't remember who, sells a kit with the proper colors in small bottles and the tiny tip brushes you need.
Takes a steady hand. If Reed's wife will do them for $5 each,
there will be a long line...me for one. Even if the post above meant $20 each, still a bargan.

Noel · 11-06-2002, 02:21 PM

A guy that owns a parts store intown had an interesting idea. I was in and commented to him about his painted centers, as his car was in the lot. He said to look closer. I went out there and to my surprise, they were Porsche crest stickers. I couldn't believe it.

Noel

jester911 · jester911's Garage

I did my own crest caps with paint markers. I bought them at Ace Hardware. They look like felt markers but they have oil paint. They are made by testors. They have gold,red and black as well as other assorted colors. They actually look like the hood crest now.

McDaniel · 11-06-2002, 02:31 PM

I went out there and to my surprise, they were Porsche crest stickers. I couldn't believe it.

Noel [/B][/QUOTE]

Stickers same as decals?

GeorgeM · GeorgeM's Garage

Weidman's Wheels does them as well. I think Harvey's wife does them. Can't remeber how much he charged me, but I seem to remember that it was reasonable.

mscott911 · 11-06-2002, 02:50 PM

This place will do all four for $60. I've been thinking of buying the "silver" hood crest from Pelican and then having them paint my center caps to match.

Mike Scott
'87 Targa

LeeH · 11-06-2002, 03:42 PM

Any suggestions for the best technique to pull this off? Funny, I had just searched for this info this morning before the original poster put this up.

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

I did this about two months ago using the Testor's paints from the hobby shop per the instructons on a previous thread. You could search for the thread. The instructions gave the paint stock numbers. It is easy to do in a couple of hours. Mine came out fine and look great.

LeeH · 11-06-2002, 03:58 PM

Found it!

Oldporsche · 11-06-2002, 05:59 PM

I believe that there are several sizes of crests that are available. One of them is the right size to be mounted on the wheel center. I can't remember which one it is. I think that they may be crests from the 356?

Good luck,
David Duffield

Noel · 11-07-2002, 05:36 AM

This was an actual sticker. I assume that a decal has a clear background.

Noel