Hit the Wheels

Hubcaps

Waste is always produced where people live. But we don't see it as a valuable resource, so a rethink is needed. The primary goal was not to produce any more waste, to use as few new materials as possible and to avoid chemical products. At the beginning there was the question of what kind of waste I should deal with. I decided on hubcaps that can be found on grass verges and beside the road. They are made of either polyamide (PA) or polypropylene (PP), both of which are monomaterials. Wires are also attached for stabilization. The first step in processing the hubcaps is to clean them. Soot must be washed off and the plastic struts removed so that the plastic body is available. The plastic of the hubcaps is thermoplastic, which means that it can be formed under heat and retains its shape after solidification. The hubcaps are cut with a band saw, the surface can be smoothed with a sandblasting machine. Heating with a radiant heater allows the body to be strongly bent. Several hubcaps are connected with the existing wires and new wire rope clamps so that the weight of the hubcap construction can also be given the necessary stability.

Design Process

After extensive processing methods and experiments, the design process now begins. Round shapes such as disks, spheres and rings determine the shaping process. Shapes reminiscent of bowls and dishes crystallize in the process. The special nature of the creative design process in the upcycling design actually lies in the engagement with the material. The creation of the products is determined less by two-dimensional design sketches and more by a series of three-dimensional prototypes and basic constructions. The form comes from the material and the machining processes, the function only develops as the final component. Bowls, small pieces of furniture, sculptures and art objects are created. This creates new added value, the hubcap starts a new life cycle.

Surface Treatment

This is followed by the question of surface treatment. The gray surface of the hubcaps is scratched and unsightly due to the wear and tear of road traffic. Natural coloring can be used to refine the outer and inner surfaces. This involves boiling a decoction of madder root and bluewood and dipping or steaming the objects. This results in a red-purple or blue coloration of the surface. Further refinement was achieved by applying a layer of gold leaf. The third option is to cover the surface with lyocell fibers, which are industrially produced from wood. In this manufacturing process, 99% of the solvents used, which are non-toxic, are kept in circulation. The adhesive and the lyocell fibers are biodegradable.