Making spun aluminum wheel covers

[Scott Colmer]

Spun aluminum wheel covers like the product made famous by Dean Moon are a great addition to a street rod or LSR project. Parts by Parks makes an excellent set that work in 1/25 or 1/24 scale. You can also make your own if you need a special size or just like making parts. Here's how to do it.

First you need to find 4 soda cans. The bottom of the can is what to use to make the disk.

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Look for the cans that have the laser printed numbers. I have a good collection of 7UP can bottoms that have this feature.

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Watch out for the cans with the embossed numbers. The embossing may show up on the convex side. Depending on how deep the embossing is, you may be able to sand the embossing flat later in the process.

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Use scissors to cut the bottom of the can free. BE CAREFUL! the edges are sharp. I were gloves to get the stage seen below. Then trace the inside diameter of your tire on the the center of the can bottom. In this case I made my own LSR tires from ring sizers.

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Edited January 3, 2015 by Scott Colmer

[Scott Colmer]

Use the scissors to trim OUTSIDE the guide line.

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Next use a sanding stick to size the disk to your line. Take your time and work your way around the edge. Check you work to your rim and tire that you are covering once it is a fit you are ready to mount the disk on the chuck.

Mounting the disk is a bit tricky but very doable. Go find an old large face grinning bit like the one seen below. Put liquid tape around the outside edge. Let is sit for less than a minute. Then put the the disk on the grinding bit. Try to center it as much as possible.

Now put the bit with the disk attached in your hand drill. Turn it VERY slowly and nudge the disk until it turns perfectly centered.

Carefully Remove the the bit and centered disk from the drill without disturbing the alignment. Turn it over and lock the disk in place with a heavy coat of CA glue around the outside edge of the grinding surface, Let it dry completely.

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Now you are ready to turn your hand drill into a lathe. Secure the drill and use 800 grit sanding paper on a block to do the final true on the disk. Also work the surface a bit to flatten any light embossing that may have shown up on the face of your disk.

Finally go to a 1500 grit on a soft sanding block to get your spun surface.

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To release the disk from the grinding bit without damaging it, flood the attachment point with CA debonder found in any hobby shop. Let it sit for a bit to work against the CA glue, then careful pry the disk free. If seems still stick apply more debonder. You can clean the mounting area with lacquer thinner. The first disk is the pattern that can be used to size the rest of the disks.

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If you want to think outside the box a bit, consider adding styling holes like the example below. Or you can color them with candy paint. Or experiment with sharpies. Mistakes can be wiped off with lacquer thinner.

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Scott

Edited January 3, 2015 by Scott Colmer

[wrecker388]

Very nice tutorial Scott.

[1930fordpickup]

I second that .

[B-Ram]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for the tutorial

Bill

[bobthehobbyguy]

Great idea.

[chunkypeanutbutter]

I should try this for baby moons.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Cool stuff man, this is what a modelling site is all about learning how to do it, not just seeing what someone has done.

Thanks for this!

[Darren B]

awesome thank you for sharing....

[geras24]

Great tutorial... Thanks

[Guest]

Great tutorial Scott! I made a set from pop cans years ago. But, I polished them and they didn't have the "right" look in my eyes. I never did use them on anything. I wonder if a person could glue the disc to the grinding stone with Elmers glue and then soak it in water to remove it?

[Scott Colmer]

Thanks for the interest everyone. You just have to give it a try.

Roger, I am not sure of the strength of white glue as a bonding agent, but there is only one way to find out. Let us know what happens.

[Guest]

I think I'll try it with my polished covers and see if it works.

[Danno]

Good stuff, Scott. Thanks for sharing!

[vintagercr]

Thanks for sharing