So, I finally got rear-ended by some idiot. That's not the point. The point is, while staring at the cop's cruiser, I finally decided I was sick of my wheel covers, and I should go with the Steelies 'N' Trim Rings look, as celebrated in this thread: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=111710.

So I popped the caps off, polished my steelies (still working on that "clear coat" thing), ordered some trim rings from Cripe Distributing, and tracked down a Napa store for some of those center caps, part number listed above. My question, for those who've used this, is...HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO STAY ON THE CAR?

Yes, it's a perfect fit, and I was reasonably confident about the friction seal, but I already lost one coming home from the 4th festivities. They're like $0.12 apiece, yes, but I'm really not comfortable with the idea of a sharpened metal bowl flying off my box at 78 MPH. Besides, it was kind of embarassing rooting through the bushes for the one I did lose.... if I wanted to keep going back for parts that've fallen off my car, I'd have bought another Chevy.

I tried pounding them on with a rubber mallet, but that actually seemed to make them worse. Right now I stuck them on with a little bit of gravel dust between the cap and the steelie, which seems like it's helping. I know some of you have used adhesive.....any advice would be appreciated. I'M LOOKING AT YOU, BBTUNER

I really like the look (and I reeeaaally like not spending $1200 on new rims and wheels), but if I can't be reasonably assured that I'm not going to decapitate a pedestrian I think I'll go back to the plastic caps HALP PLZ![/i]

 

I use clear silicone caulk. They have stayed on real well. The other day i did have to remove one and it came off with just a little bit of work.

Heres mine in case you want to see

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1182119807

 

Whoops - sorry for putting this on the wrong board!

Thanks for the tip ... I'll be doing that, after I treat the caps (gonna clearcoat 'em). I'd rather need a crowbar to get 'em off than lose them at random. @_@

Did you end up clearcoating your steelies?

 

To hold them on I've suggested to use some black 3M trim adhesive for extra security. It will blem in with the black wheels. A line of it around the inner edge where they contact the center of the wheel should do the trick.