AlanN's MK3 V6 Day Van

[AlanN]

Yes they are, but they dont do one that is 122mm to fit the centre of the wellers if I remember rightly they only go upto 108mm (under £8 each). I did think of making a plate and fitting one in the middle. They where really helpful and gave me telephone numbers of other importers and dealers, but no luck. Its supply and demarned
The only way your going to find these, is old stock in the back of an old store and Ive tried mine...

[AlanN]

With just over a month until the Forum Transit meet, its time to get going on these centre caps... I just can't find any firm locally who will do the job or the one that did, wanted to do it in a months time.

I sat and thought how I could do this myself without making a mess of things, I got access to a lathe, but no cutting tools for it, plus it didnt quite open enough to fit the caps. What did I have to cut them, a grinder, na. All ive got is the hacksaw! So I laid the cap in the jaws of the vice, drew a line around it with a marker pen and simply cut it, dam that was easy.

Cleaned up the edge with a file and then dropped a slice of plastic from the bumper I cut up, into the bottom of the vice jaws again and the cap went on top. I then gradually beat the edge of the rim over the open vice, one flared edge, this was easier than I thought and it only took 20 minutes
All I had to do now was repeat it 3 more times. I cleaned the paint of the painted ones and just for good measure I slid one of the chrome ones in to place, yep thats what I want, Oh and the blue tyre valves in too Just a matter of finding and sorting a platers in the area.

[gatecrasha]

now thats looking smart,

[sportscott]

Nice Job Alan, just a thought about plating, Chrome plating is expensive but the rage now is powder coated chrome supposed to be almost as good as the real thing and a fraction of the cost.
If I changed all my bulbs to leds would I need a "led relay" and if so where.
Scott

[rover]

Cracking job again Alan

Dont you just wonder why sometimes you didnt think of these things in the first place? for example...

I ran out of welding gas (pub Co2) last week, I tried all my usual sources and came up with nothing, I even looked on ebay! Then is desperation I rang the company who's name was on the bottle, you know what she said???? Bring it down, its £8 including VAT

Rover.

[Luke]

nice work as usual alan

one tip i sometimes to to make similar cuts it G-clamp an angle grinder to a bench and place the piece flat on the bench, rotate it against the cutting disk in the grinder - works a a treat and obviously you pack the grinder up to the right height not exactly H&S complient but needs must

[AlanN]

Hi Sportscott
I can't find any company in the area that can do it, plus I think it may be a very tight fit as its a snugg hole already...
Chrome plating is very thin, Ive looked in the phone book to find a powder coating company and the net but nothing as yet.

You will need a LED relay for you indicators, Ive not got around to doing it all yet, as I havent got the 501 led bulbs yet (side repeaters)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LED-Flasher-Relay ... dZViewItem
This isnt the one I have, but similar, just plugs in, no resisters on each bulb as long as you replace all the indicator bulbs and the 501 repeaters.

Luke/Rover
Thanks guys, I do try and I noticed that my craftmanship isnt that good... a crack has developed in the joint of the grill, so another job to be looked at, but im learning all the time, im not sure if its cracked or its shrinkage

[captain hook]

Powder Coaters in Rayleigh and Basildon.....

Chrome Platers in Benfleet and Canvey....

Brand New Centre-Caps from John Craddock Landrovers "net/e-bay"

[AlanN]

Who's the powder coaters in Rayleigh I may pop in there tomorrow to ask how thick the coating is...

[sportscott]

Who's the powder coaters in Rayleigh I may pop in there tomorrow to ask how thick the coating is...

I've been reading more about powder coat chrome and it's not good for moving exposed parts, the write ups on the classic car forums are not positive, sorry for the Bum Steer

[AlanN]

Ive found 3 places nearby, so Im off out, let you know how I got on

[spudmab]

good luck alan,

just hope they can do a good job,

it would be a shame if they weren't able to do a good job like you have with done with your wheels,

[AlanN]

I have been to 6 platers/stove enamlers/powder coaters today from southend to basildon and back to rayleigh again. No chrome in stove enamel, just a bright silver. Powder coat looks great, but its too thick, so by the time its finished and laqured, it could be over 1mm thicker which will not go in the hole, plus it it sometimes looks a bit yellow if done on the cheap. And lastly chrome plating, very thin coat, acid may blow pits into big holes and is the highest cost at £60 a set I just cant afford that with so many other bits need doing
So, it looks like Im going to have to paint them

[rover]

I have been to 6 platers/stove enamlers/powder coaters today from southend to basildon and back to rayleigh again. No chrome in stove enamel, just a bright silver. Powder coat looks great, but its too thick, so by the time its finished and laqured, it could be over 1mm thicker which will not go in the hole, plus it it sometimes looks a bit yellow if done on the cheap. And lastly chrome plating, very thin coat, acid may blow pits into big holes and is the highest cost at £60 a set I just cant afford that with so many other bits need doing
So, it looks like Im going to have to paint them

If you think £60 for plating the caps is expensive its a good job you didnt ask about the wheels! Mine are about fooked and will be getting painted at some stage this year

Rover.

[gatecrasha]

alan....
i cannot promise anything time wise as im gonna be up to my neckhole organising yet another meet for the bike site
and building my bike but.....

i do have sat here...
imported from the good ol' US of A
a very small bottle of 'genuine' chrome paint

i need to do 2 bike wheels in it, and a little goes a long way with this stuff
so fingers crossed, theyre may well be enough left to do a few light coats to your centres
if there is - it's either yours to d.i.y. or drop your centres up and i'll whizz it on for ya

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