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3 buck alloy wheel center caps!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by theloop82, Apr 14, 2010.

  1. danvee

    danvee Blizzard Brigadier

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    Thanks TL,

    I'll punch in the UPC and see where it gets me.
    If I remember correctly HD uses regional suppliers, so probably all of our local HDs will draw from the same source.
    We have a buddy in PA. I'll ask him to check out the HD by him.
    I think you can order online, but the SKU may be the same regardless of the supplier- no guarantee of getting what's in the picture, only that it'd be a 1 1/2" hole plug.:rolleyes:

    Take Care,

    Dan
     
  2. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    Or as an alternative, use J-B Weld Epoxy as a filler.

    Keith
     
  3. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    That's an interesting thought. The standard JB weld is slow enough setting that it would nearly self level and you could fill the entire recess so they have a flat flush surface.:rockon:

    The cap surface would need to be degreased and sanded a bit first to give the JB some tooth to stick to.
     
  4. Tech_Guy

    Tech_Guy Class Clown

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    Yep,,,

    You have obviously used JB Weld or other epoxy products before.

    Keith :)
     
  5. danvee

    danvee Blizzard Brigadier

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    Voila!

    Thanks for everyone's help and advice.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  6. partsmore

    partsmore Junior Member

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    I think Ill get a 1.5" plug and paint them black for an offset color and match the car.
    If I dont like then I bet we can find some Toyota Emblems to put on them.

    I also will be having tires rebalanced with the weights on the inside as that WILL pit the coating on the wheels.


    Great help Guys!!!
     
  7. danvee

    danvee Blizzard Brigadier

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    Good thought on the black, but without the emblems, from a few feet away, won't they kinda disappear?

    I'll have to check, but I thought that my wheels had the stick-on weights all on the inside- no clip weights at all.
    Wouldn't the clip-ons interfere with the seating on the original hubcaps? They seemed to sit right on the outer rim with no real gap.
     
  8. jayrider

    jayrider Member

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    Thanks to all who posted re the center cap deal. Went to Lowes and found them for 97 cents --smooth with no stamping. Popped off the wheel covers then went to the car wash. Sanded the caps and gave them several light coats of metallic paint. It took some time to bend the flanges just right to fit the opening but all is well. Easy peasy.
     
  9. priushippie

    priushippie New Member

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    Everyone with those hub caps should do this! They are fugly!
     
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    They're *supposed* to have stick-on weights. Dealers and even tire shops sometimes screw up. I got two free replacement wheels a few years ago for that very reason.
     
  11. jayrider

    jayrider Member

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    Have two sets of caps. One is brilliant blue over hammered metallic. Glows and sort of matches the blue in the Toyota emblem on the rear lid. Other set is multicolored blue/purple. Lots of fun and the look is great. May repaint green, white or burgundy.
     
  12. theloop82

    theloop82 Member

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    I love that so many people have ran with this idea! Toyota should really sell those plastic ones much, much cheaper!

    If you are having a hard time finding unstamped ones try a commercial electrical supply house. They usually carry them in bulk and most of the ones I see out on jobsites don't have any stamping, so maybe its a retail packaging type of thing.
     
  13. bdirwin

    bdirwin Senior Member

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    I have had mine on for 3K miles, and they're great! I did not paint them, or do anything other than bend the prongs. They're nearly a perfect match as is.
     
  14. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    I just did mine last night - they look great! Thanks to LOOP82! I'd post a pic but it will look like everyone else's wheels. I bought 4 caps at Lowes - total price with tax $4.11. I didn't paint or modify them as they were smooth already. When I popped off the plastic wheel covers, they came off so easily I wondered how they haven't fallen off by now.
     
  15. Downrange

    Downrange Active Member

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    Agree - they do NOT NEED paint! Just bend out the tabs and stick 'em in!

    Best mod ever!
     
  16. beshman2

    beshman2 New Member

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    Grabbed some at Home Depot today, these were recessed and had the stamp in the center, should have tried Lowes but I was short on time and these will work for a first try.
    Got some hammered metallic paint, removed the Toyota emblem from one of the plastic wheel covers, turned it upside down on the center cap and shot it with paint to leave a "ghost" impression on the cap. It looks promising.
    I think it will look the way I have in mind if I get the flat non-recessed plugs. Thanks for a great idea!
     

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  17. bartelby19320

    bartelby19320 Newbie!

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    Went to HomeDepot and found the knock outs. Found them @ .88 a piece. HOWEVER they had 1 & 1/2" stamped on them :( . Going to try Lowes to see if they have them without the stamped size on them. Anyone ever run into that issue?
     
  18. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    I got mine at Lowes - they were smooth.:)
     
  19. danvee

    danvee Blizzard Brigadier

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    I've checked at both Lowes and HD. All of them are stamped with 1 1/2.
    It may be due to regional suppliers.
    Somebody had suggested an electrical supply house (none close to me, so I didn't check).

    A few heavy coats of the hammertone silver Krylon filled in the stampings pretty well, so long as you pick out the least "stamped" ones.
     
  20. bzyrice

    bzyrice Active Member

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    Awesome!! I didn't even know what was under the wheel covers.. I thought they would be black steroids! Gonna do this mod on my next day off!