I messed up two 18" wheels by hitting a curb. Called Ford dealer and was told I have to replace the wheels at a cost of $759.00 each. Well I found a set that were taken off another car and used the rims. I got the old wheels back home and proceeded to remove the covers with a large screwdriver. These covers are glued on to the wheels with what looks like some type of silicone material. There is a bead of it along the outside edge of the rim and one down each spoke. Underneath the cover is a finished wheel. Upon further inspection, on the back of the cover is a Ford part # Bt43-1007-C_PIa2 and a tag on the wheel that says they are made by Lack Enterprises for Ford.
The covers could be replaced, but Ford does not list this as a valid part. I think they are scamming us on this. They do not want to just sell a cover but instead want you to buy a new wheel.
I was told by the dealer that there is a $50.00 core charge if you do not have an old wheel. This is so Ford can take your old wheel and put a new cover on it and then resell.
It boils down to a simple matter. If one could get the new cover and proper adhesive, then put the adhesive on the wheel and apply the cover and let adhesive set up. The old adhesive looks like it was applied with a caulking gun.
By the way, the old adhesive comes off the wheel with a paint scraper or putty knife.