Used caps is big business especially when it comes to finding vintage hub caps for restoration. The market for second hand hub caps will vary depending on where you live. Also, the price will vary based on the age and the rarity of the product you need. In this article, I will discuss where I find used hub caps for sale near me and share insight on the ins and outs of purchasing them.
Map of Used Hub Caps For Sale Near Me
For “Used Hub Caps For Sale Me” or “Used Wheel Covers For Sale Me”, see below for locations…
Where I Find Used Caps For Sale Near Me
There are several places I like to go to find used hub caps. While I often prefer local options, there are online options as well. If you are doing a vintage automobile restoration project, it gets much harder and more expensive to get what you need.
Auto Salvage Yards
Auto Salvages are awesome if you are willing to go and do the work yourself of finding and removing hub caps off junk vehicles. There are self service junkyards like, Pick-n-Pull, where you can search the inventory online and then go to the yard and pull the hub caps.
In many cases, you can get used hub caps for sale for under $10 for a set of four. You can also check a place that has Junkyard Rims as they too will have used hub caps and center caps for sale.
The downside to auto salvages of course is the potential for low quality, replica knockoffs, or damaged products. You should inspect the hub caps thoroughly before purchasing them.
Facebook Market Place
Facebook Marketplace presents another good local opportunity to find used hub caps. You can find singles, pairs, and sets of four. Prices will vary based on quality and the seller.
If you have an immediate need, you can search by distance from you so that you can pick them up locally. Many sellers will also have shipping options if they are not local to you.
Used Hub Cap Distributers
There are sites like HubCaps.org that deal in used hub caps. They have an inventory of over 1M hub caps and years going back to 1940. This particular company restores the hub caps, inspects them for quality and offers a warranty on the used hub caps.
There are other used hub cap sellers online like Chuck and Eddies, who is another used auto part seller. There are also great mom and pop shops like Hub Cap House in Connecticut that you can visit.
Craigslist and Ebay Motors
Craigslist and Ebay Motors are two other sites to check for used wheel covers. While these sites don’t specialize of course in in used wheel covers, you can find them at great prices on these sites.
The advantage of these sites is there is no middle man. You are dealing directly with the seller so you may get a better deal or be able to haggle on the price.
Why Consider Used Hub Caps?
- Cost-effectiveness: One of the most apparent advantages of purchasing used items is the potential savings. Used car dealers often have a full line of used hubcaps available at a fraction of the cost of new ones. Whether you’re visiting a dealership or a local store, you’ll likely find that used options are much more wallet-friendly. This affordability doesn’t mean you’re compromising on quality. Many car dealers ensure that the hubcaps they sell, whether new or used, meet specific standards.
- Environmental Benefits: In today’s world, being eco-friendly is more crucial than ever. By purchasing used hubcaps, you’re actively participating in recycling. Instead of manufacturers producing a new set of hubcaps, which consumes resources and energy, you’re giving a second life to existing ones. This act of recycling not only reduces waste but also decreases the demand for new production, which in turn, lessens the environmental impact.
- Variety and Vintage Finds: If you’re a car enthusiast or someone who appreciates unique items, used hubcaps can be a treasure trove. You might come across vintage hubcaps that are no longer in production, adding a touch of nostalgia to your ride. Some car owners specifically seek out older models of hubcaps to match the era of their vehicles.
- Supporting Local Businesses: When you buy from local used car dealers or stores specializing in used hubcaps, you’re supporting local business. These businesses often provide personalized service, ensuring that customers find the right fit for their vehicles. Plus, by purchasing locally, you’re contributing to the local economy.
- Quality and Durability: A common notice among many car owners is that older hubcaps, especially vintage ones, were built to last. They were manufactured with durability in mind, meaning they might even outlast some of the newer ones. So, when you buy used, you might be getting a product that’s not only more affordable but also more durable.
- Easy Replacement: If you happen to lose or damage one of your hubcaps, finding a replacement from used hubcaps stock can be more straightforward and cost-effective than seeking a brand new one. Many sites and local stores have an extensive availability of used hubcaps, making it easier for you to find a matching one.
What Kind of Used Wheel Covers Can You Find?
You can find many different types of hub caps from various years for sale. From vintage to modern and from bolt-on to clip-on, and from plastic to metal. If you are doing a resto ideally you want to try and locate OEM hub caps for sale. For those your best bet is specialized junkyards to find them used.
In addition to hub caps and wheel covers, you can also find center caps at most places.
Where Can I Find Vintage Hub Caps For Sale Near Me?
Finding vintage hub caps to go with a set of classic car tires can be hard to locate. The best shops are often on the side of the road and don’t have any way to order them online.
With that being said, the internet is really your best option for old school hub caps. There are sites like Hub Cap Mike, that does vintage caps for 53-55 Olds Fiesta Spinners, 57′ Caddy Wheel Covers, 57 and 59 Lancer Hubcaps, and, Baby Moon Hubcaps. They also carry replicas and can custom-make hub caps for you.
It’s best to find a shop that specializes in the make and model of your vehicle. Even if you can’t find exactly what you need, you may be able to ask them for advice for where to find your specific need.
Benefits of Buying Locally
When it comes to purchasing items, especially automotive parts like hub caps, there’s a growing trend towards supporting local businesses. This shift isn’t just about community spirit; there are tangible benefits to buying locally.
Here are some of the top reasons why you should consider making your next purchase from a local vendor:
Supporting Local Businesses:
Every time you buy a product from a local store or site, you’re not just getting a commodity. You’re investing in your community. Local businesses often source their products from nearby areas, ensuring that the money you spend circulates within the community.
This helps in creating jobs and fostering a sense of unity. Remember the old truck that Mr. Johnson, the local owner, used to drive around town? He was able to upgrade to newer trucks and cars because of the support from locals like you.
Ability to Inspect the Hub Cap in Person:
We’ve all been there – ordering something online and then being disappointed when it arrives. Maybe the product was terrible, or it just wasn’t what you expected.
When you buy locally, you can inspect the hub cap in person. This means you can check for any repairs needed, see if it needs to be replaced, or if it has been fixed properly.
You can even note any specific features or details you want. Remember the guys at the downtown auto shop? They always let you check the products before you buy. That’s the kind of assurance you get with local purchases.
Immediate Availability and No Shipping Fees:
One of the biggest drawbacks of online shopping is the waiting time. Even if the website promised two-day shipping, sometimes it takes longer. And then there are those shipping fees! Buying locally means the product is right there, ready for you.
No waiting. Plus, you’ve saved on those pesky shipping fees. Remember when you called the store in Texas to check if they had the hub cap you wanted? They had just sold the last one. But your local store had it in stock, and you got it immediately.
In conclusion, while online shopping offers convenience, buying locally provides a unique set of advantages. From supporting the community to getting hands-on assurance about the product, the benefits are numerous.
So, the next time you’re thinking of making a purchase, especially for automotive parts, consider the local options. And who knows, you might even get a cheerful review from the local newspaper or post about your loyalty to the community!
How to Remove Hub Caps From Your Vehicle
Removing of the hub cap comes down to what type you have. Here are the basic instructions for the 3 popular types:
- Clip On’s: Using a wide tipped hub cap removal tool, Gently pry the are around the hub cap in between the windows. You should not use a flat head screwdriver because you can damage the wheel cover.
- Bolt-On’s: These require a bit of finesse to remove. You can not try and pop these off with a removal tool, you will break them. For these, you have to jack up the vehicle and use a lug wrench to unscrew the bolts. It’s best to do one wheel at a time
- Screw-on” (plastic fake lug nuts): These are common and have a plastic lug nut that holds the hub cap on the wheel. If you apply to much force to these like you would a real lug nut, you will crack the hub cap and strip the threading. Most of the time when you have screw on’s the vehicle will come with a special tool for removing them.
How to Measure a Hub Cap Size
Whenever you shop for used hub caps and wheel covers, you need to know the exact size you are looking for. Getting the size is pretty straightforward.
The best way to get the proper measurement is to look at the sidewall code of the tire. The sidewall code has a bunch of letters and numbers on it, which tell you the tires specifications and one of those is size. You want to look for the letter “R” and then find the number to the right of it. It will be a number like 14, 15, 16, etc. The number you see after the letter “R” is the trim size in inches of your hub cap ring.
How To Evaluate a Used Hub Cap
Evaluating a hub cap is pretty simple. You basically want to check for damage like dents, cracks, scuffs, or broken pieces.
On clip-on hub caps if one of the clips is bent or broken it could prevent you from securing the cover to the wheel or it may fall off as you drive. For any used hub cap you should thoroughly inspect it for damage before you purchase it.
Who Buys Old Hub Caps Near Me
If you have old hub caps to sell all of the options I listed above are great to sell your second hand. Salvage yards are not going to give you much money because they need to sell them for a profit. Selling them yourself on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook Marketplace will net you the most profit. Online used hub cap sites will also pay for your used wheel covers.
In any case, when it comes to who buys used hub caps near me, the more vintage it is and the better the condition the more money you can get.
Pros and Cons of Used Hub Caps
Pros
- Save money
- Can find perfectly good condition used OEM parts for restorations
- In good condition or restored a used hub cap can look brand new
Cons
- If not inspected properly could fall off or not secure properly
- Could have damage that you can’t see
- Sometimes hard to find what you need, especially if vintage.
Used Hub Caps For Sale Near Me Conclusion
I have been getting used hub caps for sale near me for a long time, and it’s getting harder to find metal vintage caps for a resto. Having various sources for where to find used hub caps means you can check multiple places to find what you need.
Before you buy any used auto parts it is important to inspect them for damage. If you are buying from a company, you should also ask if they have any warranties on the sale. This is what I have learned from buying used hub caps for sale near me.