[black02seavik]

Im going to spray paint the center cap with dupont gunmetal spray paint as a test and post it soon on this thread so that you guys can get an idea of how it would look if i paint it or coat it.

[AmbulanceMonkee]

This is kinda cool.

[black02seavik]

Originally Posted by AmbulanceMonkee

This is kinda cool.

thats a understatement

[Boilermaker1]

Regarding the second question. Its a custom Job. It would be a whole different topic if I had to get into it. But if you really must know PM me and i will show you a picture of what I did. or maybe I will post it up on the net. I have a friend that is begging me to do his wheels so when i actually take up on the job i will post it on the thread so everyone @ civicforums can see

umm its not a hard question and it doesnt involve another thread to answer. Its either "yes I bored it out", "no, I didnt bore it, I did something ghetto like use a wheel spacer or washers to eliminate the fact that the wheel wouldn't fit on the hub", or "Mazda made the centerbore bigger at some point".
I already know how to get miata wheels on there the right way, its pretty publicly known that to get Mini or Miata wheels on a honda you need to stick it in a lathe... and given that you used a 2" (AKA 51mm) plug, it leads me to believe that Mazda hasn't opened it up.

[black02seavik]

Originally Posted by Boilermaker1

umm its not a hard question and it doesnt involve another thread to answer. Its either "yes I bored it out", "no, I didnt bore it, I did something ghetto like use a wheel spacer or washers to eliminate the fact that the wheel wouldn't fit on the hub", or "Mazda made the centerbore bigger at some point".
I already know how to get miata wheels on there the right way, its pretty publicly known that to get Mini or Miata wheels on a honda you need to stick it in a lathe... and given that you used a 2" (AKA 51mm) plug, it leads me to believe that Mazda hasn't opened it up.

Do i sense a bit of hostility ? Take a deep breath, it'll be alright.

No i didnt bore it. and no i did not use a wheel spacer and no Mazda did not make the centerbore bigger.

Im glad that you already know how to get miata wheels on the right way. Maybe its a good idea to share your knowledge in a different thread. I'm pretty sure people will find it very helpful.

[Boilermaker1]

Originally Posted by black02seavik

Do i sense a bit of hostility ? Take a deep breath, it'll be alright.

No i didnt bore it. and no i did not use a wheel spacer and no Mazda did not make the centerbore bigger.

Im glad that you already know how to get miata wheels on the right way. Maybe its a good idea to share your knowledge in a different thread. I'm pretty sure people will find it very helpful.

No, you don't sense hostility.
I sense you evading the answer to a simple question.
We've already established that you didn't bore the wheel hub, which is the only answer I really needed to know, since its the only proper way to safely make the wheel fit, and now we're in the realm of something rigged, which quite honestly now I dont really care what you did.

[black02seavik]

Originally Posted by Boilermaker1

No, you don't sense hostility.
I sense you evading the answer to a simple question.
We've already established that you didn't bore the wheel hub, which is the only answer I really needed to know, since its the only proper way to safely make the wheel fit, and now we're in the realm of something rigged, which quite honestly now I dont really care what you did.

good for you bro.
Just to let you know I took it to a respectable auto shop
now onto the subject this thread was intended to serve

[black02seavik]

Originally Posted by black02seavik

Okay. so i bought these 17 inch racing hart rims that is specifically made for the mazda speed version of the miata. its 4x100 so i bought them right off the bat. Made some adjustments and they are sitting nicely on my civic.

The problem i had was the mazda center cap. Obviously i cant flex mazda driving a civic so i looked all over for a honda or even RH center cap in the internet with no luck. I was searching the internet for possible solution and found
Honda-Tech.com: Wheel and Tire: FAQ: Centercaps

I made some adjustments to it and made my own center caps.
Here is a step by step instruction for those who do not want to pay a forture on plastic center caps and want to make a custom center cap.

The tools needed for this procedure is brasso, microfiber cloth, knock out plugs ( you can use different varitety of sizes. measure your surface with a ruler and look for it at you local home depot, lowes, or some place that specializes in electrical and plumbing.) and a wrench or some kind to bend and adjust the tabs to fit the rims




the original mazda center cap that i cant use. and 2 inch knock out plug that i bought from a electrical & plumbing hardware store called dover and cheek.

Now shine the surfaces using little bit of brasso and the microfiber cloth


Its a good idea to do this on a completely flat smooth surface for even polish. put the face of the knock out plug and rub it on the microfiber


After you finish it should look like this.
the top ones are the ones that havent been worked upon
and the bottom ones are the ones i just polished


You can even get a mirror shine but in order to achieve mirror chrome shine you must spend a considerable amout of time and some serious elbow grease. if you have a rotary tool then it will be smart to use it. I shined mine to a certain point to match the rest of my rim.

The best thing about this project is the fact that it is easy. and that it is really cheap. I bought each knock out plugs for .74 each.
If you lose them or if someone decides to steal your plugs you can simply replace them. Hope this has been a help to some of you that do not want to spend a fortune on your center caps.

You can also spray paint it. it is up to your imagination from here.

before


after


Some finished pictures









1/27/07 WATER MARKS ON CENTERCAPS!

Okay so its been about 2 weeks since i posted the thread on polished centercaps.
Unfortunately the centercaps started getting water marks on them. I should have realize that noncoated centercaps are suceptible to rust and watermarks XT

Well I decided to take those back out and spray paint it with dupont gunmetal spray. here are the results.

OKay these are the centercaps with watermarks on them. yes i know not so pretty.


Center caps with Dupont Gunmetal


On the Rims






GLuck

Okay like promised.

Tell me what you think. please let me know your honest opinion, good or bad. Maybe some suggestions, such as different color spray paint. I'm actually thinking of painting it over in flat silver. Let me know

[Mustang5.0HO]

WOW great write up! Thats a GREAT do it yourself...and its good to know.. I wouldnt be able to do it because I have Boyd Coddington rims and the caps say Boyd and I hope not loosing them because each center cap is gonna run me $120 each!!! anywho.
Thats a great job. The paint color in the end and rim color dont match but It doesnt look bad. You really would not notice it. Id leave it as it is!
And those are some great great rims you choose for your honda!
Good Job

[speedfoos]

For a nice write-up and an innovative way to solve the centercap issue. Some turdball keeps stealing my Konig Holes center caps and replacing them with an older, uglier (in my opinion) Konig center cap. Talk about bizarre and irritating. I like your center grill and lids too. Both mods I've been thinking about doing. Kudos man!

My original center cap.



Stolen/wrongfully swapped center cap.



I've got three of these now. Sorry for the crappy pics, chrome makes it difficult. Either I'll catch them on the fourth one or they'll stop after the fourth one. I have a plan to nail them on this last one as I know where its been happening. Bastards.

[black02seavik]

Originally Posted by Mustang5.0HO

WOW great write up! Thats a GREAT do it yourself...and its good to know.. I wouldnt be able to do it because I have Boyd Coddington rims and the caps say Boyd and I hope not loosing them because each center cap is gonna run me $120 each!!! anywho.
Thats a great job. The paint color in the end and rim color dont match but It doesnt look bad. You really would not notice it. Id leave it as it is!
And those are some great great rims you choose for your honda!
Good Job

Thanks for the input man. yur right the color of the center caps are slightly off. But let me tell you the world of difference with it and without. yeah and pictures dont do justice. honestly, they do look better in person.

But with the different color is concerned, I will simply pick up a different color spray paint and tint it in a more blendable color. or maybe i should just give up the painting business all together and just coat the centercaps with some kind of water resistant gloss for coating. IDK ill figure something out. In the meantime, anyone have any suggestions on a color that will complement rest of my wheels?

Man $120 for a center cap!
You better not lose those man! And hope there isnt people who are out there praying on those expensive center caps. If i was you Ill be checking where I parked every 5 minutes LOL!

[black02seavik]

Originally Posted by speedfoos

For a nice write-up and an innovative way to solve the centercap issue. Some turdball keeps stealing my Konig Holes center caps and replacing them with an older, uglier (in my opinion) Konig center cap. Talk about bizarre and irritating. I like your center grill and lids too. Both mods I've been thinking about doing. Kudos man!

My original center cap.



Stolen/wrongfully swapped center cap.



I've got three of these now. Sorry for the crappy pics, chrome makes it difficult. Either I'll catch them on the fourth one or they'll stop after the fourth one. I have a plan to nail them on this last one as I know where its been happening. Bastards.

What the hell??? are you saying someone is jacking your nice ass konig centercaps and replacing it with some ghetto center caps? that is the weirdest crap I've ever heard. I guess he does have a conscience though... the fact that he is atleast replacing it with something. Or maybe he cannot bare to see your rims without any centercaps to cover the hole either LOL.
I bet he will stop after the fourth one though. I think his intentions are to steal your newer center caps and replace it with his older ones, and he wont stop until he has perfected it. The criminal always comes back to the crime scene. Catch that bastard for all of us who are tired of getting the center stolen!

[speedfoos]

Originally Posted by black02seavik

are you saying someone is jacking your nice ass konig centercaps and replacing it with some ghetto center caps?

Yep. If and when I catch him, I'm going to pop his head like a zit. Although you're right, at least he's replacing them, and at least they're even the same brand. Strangest theft I've ever seen.

[AmbulanceMonkee]

^weird

[burke420]

i hope you didnt use the honda eom lugs...since i think the lugs for Mazda are acorn style..not ball-seat