Ralley center cap refinishing

I have 2 pairs of "sombrero" center caps and they have a totally different finish on them. One is a heavy silver that looks like it was shot over 60 grit sandpaper. The other is almost a chrome finish, completely smooth. What do I have? Also the gritty one has some scrapes on it that totally took off the grit. It that a painted on mica filled paint finish that Mopar used? If so, can I strip it down to smooth chrome and refinish so I have matching set?

pishta said:

What do I have?

Click to expand...

The "light argent" one on the left is the factory 1970 cap. I've never seen a factory chrome cap & am guessing someone had it chromed...

The cap on the right is missing the argent step. The cap on the left shows the chrome outer ring. The caps were masked for no argent on the outer edge and under the nose cone decal. A buddy of mine has a set of those chrome suckers back in the early 70's "fell off" the production line he said.

Paint stripper will remove that textured paint, and underneath you will find chrome.

Sometimes the chrome under the paint is very thin. You might find yellowish tint splotches in pot metal.
Most of them have a thin aluminum sticker applied on the nose, for a brushed aluminum look. Peel that off and clean away the adhesive residue for chrome there also.

That is what I was thinking reading up on the mica flecked Argent process. Cool.

So...is there any way to refinish the mica Argent? I now have 4 matching textured ones but all have a few scuffs where the PO stacked them during storage.....Light argent in a small can along with mica powder? Don't know how I would apply it though.

found this in a Moparchat archive, any takers?
"...The original formula was done in lacquer,so here is the new formula that was spelled out by Rick Ehrenberg in the Rest-Topics in the June 2008 Mopar Action Magazine! When i spayed my old grille and parts with the old lacquer formula it was very course with just a few coats!. This formula calls for more lighter coats to build up slowly!. The original light argent was DX-8555 and the Medium was DNA-8933 by PPG (formerly Ditzler). You can now mix with these codes!
Aluminum/aluminum base is:
3 1/2oz.s of DCA468 High Performance Clear w/ approx.4 oz.lacquer thinner!
Light Argent:1/2 oz.DX204-Radiance Silver
1/2 oz.DDL8568-Non Smudge
This is for 1 pint,..2X it for a Qt.
Medium Argent: Same as light,just add some black tint to above formula! approx.6-12 drops of black per pint!
Keep gun at least 18"s away and keep the paint adgitated with a bearing or nut to keep it suspended! Allow lot's of time between coats!
I don't know where he got there codes so i can't say that they are a 100% match,..but i'm sure it's close!
I know you can get this in spray bombs,but i find the nozzle clogs easily! A heavier nozzle on a small touch up gun will probably work great. I am about to try this next week, so i will keep you's posted! Anyone out there have a simmilar formula or other tips?


Glen..."

I'll dig out my set of 1970 light argent ralley's I restored years ago using Mopar light silver(1970) center caps and Ralley wheels. I sand blasted and fixed the dings on a set of ralley wheels, and refinished the center caps(sombreros) in Mopar light argent silver and polished the edges. I have a set of center cap appliques for the tips of the center caps from Year one. I have another set of SBP ralley's I've sandblasted and prepped for paint. Thanks for the formula! I'll try to reproduce it for my grill, and other argent parts.

Found another...

Ingredients for 1 pint (double for quart)
1/2 ounce DX 204- Radiance Silver
1/2 ounce DDL 8568- Non Smudge Aluminum/aluminum base
3 1/2 ounces DCA 468 High Performance Clear

Add 4 ounces of top grade lacquer thinner with drying time according to temperature. Mix thoroughly and pour in 1 pint touch up gun. Use 10 clean 1/4" ball bearings in paint cup to keep the paint mixed. Use three light coats over an existing finish or four to six coats over unfinished parts. This paint runs VERY easily, allow 5-10 minutes between coats.

Mixing Argent paint

I restored these about 10 years ago. I sandblasted, POR-15, and rattle canned them with Mopar light Argent from the local dealership. It has since closed. The nozzle did have to be cleaned frequently. Now I have a big compressor and an Iwata paint gun, I'm looking for a more economical way to go, since I need to paint my grill and bezels. If Rick E-Booger says it's good, I'll run with his formula. Many thanks to all member who have contributed. I have the center appliques from Year One, I think, but haven't installed them yet.