Replacing Wheel Center Caps

[rubberduckie]

Hey! I bought a great used Boxster last month and now that it has gotten too snowy to take it out, I have decided to fix it up a little bit while I'm waiting. When I got the car I noticed that the plastic crests in the center of the wheels were foggy and I was wondering if it was possible to replace just the crest without replacing the whole wheel. I found something called "colored crest wheel center caps" on ebay and they look like they just pop on, but I can't tell if what I have on my car will pop off. I would hate to spend a hundred bucks then not even have the things fit. Anyway, if i end up getting these, how would you go about getting the old ones off? Thanks for the help!

There is a removal tool, looks like a piece of hooked wire, possibly in your tool kit, that removes the center caps. Some people on the forum have been successful with a home-made piece of wire. You may want to search some old threads.

I think our sponsor; www.986online.com also has the center caps on sale if you don't want to deal with E-Bay. They are usually colored or black & silver.

[Ronzi]

You are right to be cautious about the size. Aftermarket wheels tend to have a smaller cap size, and the factory painted or cloisonne style caps are too large for them.
I could be wrong, but I do not believe any of the factory caps are plastic.

[Tool Pants]

Here we go again....

[SoCal]

[QUOTE=rubberduckie]Hey! I bought a great used Boxster last month and now that it has gotten too snowy to take it out, I have decided to fix it up a little bit while I'm waiting. QUOTE]

Too "snowy" in Laguna Beach?!?!? Did your package from Columbia just arrive?

[chrisg]

rubberduckie, if they are the colored crest ones, it's just the coating that's weathered. I just refinished my wheels and for the center caps I just scuffed the crests with scotchbrite and then shot clear coat over them. Look brand new. I used regular automotive finish clear, I'm not sure if there is rattle can clear avialable that will be durable.

[BobMarley1]

Don't waste your money, just refinish like Chris said. I used some metal polish on mine, no more haze.

Spend your money elsewhere.

[rubberduckie]

[QUOTE=SoCal]

Originally Posted by rubberduckie

Hey! I bought a great used Boxster last month and now that it has gotten too snowy to take it out, I have decided to fix it up a little bit while I'm waiting. QUOTE]

Too "snowy" in Laguna Beach?!?!? Did your package from Columbia just arrive?

No longer in LB, sadly my job has taken me to Ohio. I am missing the weather sooo much right now......

[rubberduckie]

Originally Posted by BobMarley1

Don't waste your money, just refinish like Chris said. I used some metal polish on mine, no more haze.

Spend your money elsewhere.

Would metal polish really work on plastic caps??

[chrisg]

Originally Posted by rubberduckie

Would metal polish really work on plastic caps??

Metal polish, or any sort of rubbing compound that isn't too aggressive. You're just buffing the oxidized layer off. You can also wet sand it first with some 1000 grit (or finer) if it's really bad, just don't get carried away and go too far, then buff with the polish.