Restoring the paint on hubcaps

[Righty Tighty]

I’d like to restore the paint on my hubcaps, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how I’ll stencil out the emblem in the center that will remain bare metal. I thought about powder coating and removing the powder with a q-tip or similar tool.

What techniques have you guys used to tape off or “stencil” smaller designs when painting?

 

[Dana67Dart]

If the center is not too crowned you could thin the black paint and with the cap on a flat surface flood the area with the black paint.

 

[Righty Tighty]

I like that idea, but the emblem is indented, not raised.

 

[Dana67Dart]

Fill the recess with clay.
Tape off the outer diameter
Spray light coats
Remove clay

 

[Mopar Momzee]

I have the same caps ill be watching. Please keep us updated.

 

[Professor Fate]

What's wrong with masking them? Cover the whole emblem with tape, pressing it down into the indentations well using your fingernail, a popsicle stick or the like. Then cut the outline of the emblem with a sharp X-Acto or other hobby knife. Remove the tape surrounding the emblem.
Tape the surrounding circumference, and trim it with the knife again, removing the tape inside the circle.
Mask off the remainder of the wheelcover and paint it.
Alternatively, hobby shops sell a product called liquid mask that you could dribble into the indentations, let harden, and then paint. The mask peels off when you're done.

 

[Righty Tighty]

What's wrong with masking them? Cover the whole emblem with tape, pressing it down into the indentations well using your fingernail, a popsicle stick or the like. Then cut the outline of the emblem with a sharp X-Acto or other hobby knife. Remove the tape surrounding the emblem.
Tape the surrounding circumference, and trim it with the knife again, removing the tape inside the circle.
Mask off the remainder of the wheelcover and paint it.
Alternatively, hobby shops sell a product called liquid mask that you could dribble into the indentations, let harden, and then paint. The mask peels off when you're done.

You’re right. Maybe I’m just overthinking this. I was really wanting to powdercoat them, but I think a good paint job will do just fine.

 

[70dart340]

Liquid masking is made for this job. It's like a rubber cement. I use 2 coats, let it dry, then use an exacto knife to cut around the emblem. Using the tip of the exacto knife, lift off the masking on the area you want painted. After the paint dries, the masking rubs off like rubber cement. Easy.