Don,
Ahhh, yes, but my '73 has a leather-covered rim! I'd hate to paint it - =
the leather is sound, just lost its finish.
Good instructions for plastic/vinyl though! I'll keep this one!
Dan
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From: shidis@netcom.ca
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 1998 7:02 AM
To: danray@bluegrass.net
Subject: Re: Steering Wheel Resoration
On 01/13/98 17:33:12 you wrote:
>
>This may sound a bit weird, but my steering wheel's rim is kinda ratty=20
>but it's otherwise solid and sound, and I had an idea on how to improve =
>it:
>Like a combat boot - strip it, dye it and polish it with Kiwi to a high =
>"spit shine". (I've got a LITTLE experience with this, like 13 years=20
>worth.)=20
>Now, I don't want the polish to come off in my hands, so should I seal=20
>it with something? A good "spit-shine" (no not with real spit) =
shouldn't=20
>rub off, but I would think sealing it might help the job last longer.=20
>Any ideas on a good clear leather sealant? Is treating a steering wheel =
>like a combat boot silly?
>Any comment or suggestions are welcome.=20
>
>Dan Ray
>'73 MGB
>Ft. Knox, KY=20
>
>
Dan: having restored a few of the early MGB steering wheels (plastic =
with chrome wire spokes), I hope this will help. If the wheel has no =
cracks then just give it a light sanding with 180-240 grit aluminum =
oxide sand paper. Mask off the spoke area and the hub, and use Flecto =
Varathane Colours in Plastic in spray can form(available at most =
hardware and lumber stores) and give the wheel several light coats not =
allowing the paint between coats to set up more than 15 to 20 minutes =
apart. You will get a high gloss finish like original and the wear is =
extremely good. My cars were completed about 5 years ago and have no =
signs of deterioration.
If the wheel has cracks then let me know and I'll give you the details =
on how to restore and repair cracks.
By the way, if you try to paint the hub you may have problems with fish =
eye since the amterial used is similar to bakelite. For this I usually =
prime with a sandable primer and then paint with flecto or with an =
acrylic enamel or with something like POR 15. This tends to eliminate =
the problem of fish eye. If doing this be sure to complete the hub =
restoration first so that the rim is the last to be finished.=20
Hope this helps
Don Ainsworth =20
Hamilton, Ontario
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