Faded Denali Wheel Center Caps

[slypher25aussie]

My center caps are faded pretty badly and look like crap. Is there anything that can be done or painted to bring them back?

 

[Tonyrodz]

My center caps are faded pretty badly and look like crap. Is there anything that can be done or painted to bring them back?

Iirc, they're brushed aluminum metal caps on plastic, so not really. Might want to look for another set. Or if you're feeling brave, maybe try getting a scuff pad and scuff them up gently, going in the same direction as the existing pattern on them. No guarantees tho. I used plastidip on mine.

 

[Rocket Man]

They’re gonna like crap no matter what you do to them. Time to think about new wheels, maybe some takeoffs from a newer truck.

 

[slypher25aussie]

They’re gonna like crap no matter what you do to them. Time to think about new wheels, maybe some takeoffs from a newer truck.

Call me crazy but I actually like these wheels.

Side note... if anyone has a set in decent condition I’d be interested in buying!

 

[Jason in DLH]

So I’ve learned on chrome plastic (or plastic that looks like chrome, or however you say it), that if you use lots of water and use SOS Steel wool pads (it already has soap in it) that it brings the shine back to its glory days. Not sure if that will work here though.

 

[Fless]

Just please don't color match them to the truck.

 

[slypher25aussie]

Just please don't color match them to the truck.

No way I’d never do that. I’m more of a stickler for the stock look.

 

[J Mac]

It's the clearcoat that looks bad. Pick up some Aircraft Paint Remover from the auto parts store and use it to strip the clear coat off. Not sure what's different about that paint remover...it's what was recommended to me. Afterwards just polish them up with some good aluminum polish. I did this on my 04 Denali and the center caps turned out great!

 

[sam05]

I just re-did my Denali center caps over the weekend. The aircraft paint stripper was awesome. The caps look great, but I still need to do a final polish and then clear coat them so no pics yet.

 

[1xd5]

It's the clearcoat that looks bad. Pick up some Aircraft Paint Remover from the auto parts store and use it to strip the clear coat off. Not sure what's different about that paint remover...it's what was recommended to me. Afterwards just polish them up with some good aluminum polish. I did this on my 04 Denali and the center caps turned out great!

I did this and worked well! Thank you for the info, here are some pix for anyone interested.