Time Warp

This is a 1962 Cadillac hub cap that I converted into a working clock, using a clock kit and some tools.

The first thing I did was take a wire brush and cleaned off as much rust and dirt as i could without taking away any more of the original material than time already has.

Next, I touched up the original colors on the emblem using spray paint that I sprayed into a can and used a detailing brush to apply. I then spray painted the clock parts red to accent the emblem.

For the next step, I used a compass to find the center of the hub cap. Once the center was located, I used a hand drill with a 1/8 drillbit to drill a starter hole, followed by a 5/16 and finally a 3/8. Once the hole was drilled, I used a metal file to knock down the burrs. To get the clock's hands to function without coming into contact with the hub cap, I had to temporarily remove the emblem and use a washer as a shim underneath it to achieve the desired height.

With all of the prep work done, all that was left to do was to set up the clock kit. I placed the motor behind the hub cap with the stem through the drilled hole and the emblem. I carefully secured the clock motor to the hub cap with the supplied nut. Next, I took the clock hands and placed them in their respective positions. The final step, of course, was to set the time on my new clock! That was all it took to turn an old unused car part into a new, working and interesting conversation piece!