Installers put a set of 4 Replica Hubcaps/Wheel covers on a car in about 3 minutes.

Proper installation is easy and should not require significant effort or force. Replica Hubcaps use tension of a spring steel retention ring, pushing the clips out against the steel wheel, to hold its position.

Your steel rims may be rusted or discolored. For a professional-looking job, you may want to use some inexpensive spray paint on those areas of the steel wheel that may be seen through the openings of the hubcap. If you paint, do it before you install the hubcaps, and give them adequate time to dry. We have found flat black to generally looks the best behind chrome or silver wheel covers, but gray or silver paint may also suit your taste.

Hubcap Removal directions are at the bottom of this page.

Most sets of Replicas arrive with the tension ring factory-installed to the hubcap mounting legs, as seen in the top picture.

Some sets come with the rings loose, and need to have each ring inserted into its slots around the hubcap.

The retention ring has a bend designed to go around the valve stem. Orient this bent section of the ring with the hubcap's notch for the valve stem, seen here at the red mark.

The tension ring is set into the leg slots. In this second picture the ring is in the upper slot in the far leg, and above the upper slot the near leg, which is indicated by the black arrow on the white paper.

Work your way around the hubcap, setting the metal ring into its slots. This is very easy and takes only a few seconds.

Some hubcaps have two slots in the mounting legs, as in the picture immediately to the left. Always start with the ring in the upper slot, as shown here, and test the fit of the hubcap on the wheel. 99% of the time, this is what works best and the hubcap mounts firmly.

You should not be able to pull off the hubcap using only your bare hands.

Some hubcaps have metal mounting clips, and the relationship of the retention ring to the clips looks like this.

Locate the Hubcap to its proper position:

Align the valve notch with the valve stem.

Note the position of the lug nuts, the center cap (if any) and the shape of the rim itself.

Hold the hubcap parallel to the rim all the way around.

Apply even pressure with both hands so the hubcap is not tilted away from the rim at any point.

Increase the pressure evenly, side to side, top to bottom, and the retention clips will begin to slide into the rim.

Try not to let the hubcap get too much away from parallel to the wheel as you ease it into place.

If any areas of the steel wheel are rusted, rough, or sticky, you may need to gently punch it in at that point with the heel of your fist. A rubber hammer should not be necessary.

Proper installation results in the outer edge of the hubcap fitting firmly to the wheel all the way around. If it does not seat all around, do not drive with it. This is a sign of interference by tall lug nuts, hub, or an unusual wheel.

If the hubcap will not fit, do not force it.
Wheel weights are no problem with Replica Hubcaps.