[Healeys] Refinish steering wheel

[Chris Scholz]

I think I'll clean mine up with linseed oil and take it from there. Thanks for the input.

Sent from my iPhone
Chris Scholz OD

On Dec 31, 2015, at 4:44 PM, Doug Barker <douglas.barker at videotron.ca<mailto:douglas.barker at videotron.ca>> wrote:

HELLO
I was just thinking of doing mine also so this is good timing:
My wheel is I believe aMotta but much lighter wood
Please define -White spirits-possible Methal Hydrate?
Also PU solvent based PU?
Thanks-everything else I agree with

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Oudesluys
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2015 12:43 PM
To: healeys at autox.team.net<mailto:healeys at autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Refinish steering wheel

Of what I can see the steering wheel does look very nice and patinated. I would not do anything to it apart from cleaning it with white spirits on a rough cloth or kitchen abrasive sponge and rubbing in some linseed oil.
Look for remnants of lacquer  on the inside of the aluminium. It may have been coated only with a wax or oil, e.g. linseed oil if you cannot find anything.


Depending on the age of the wheel it could be coated with acrylic paint. If that is the case this must be completely removed before repainting.
Start with degreasing the wood very carefully and thoroughly with white spirits. Sand very lightly with 320 grade sand paper until the colour is even and all lacquer is removed but remove as little wood/aluminium material as possible. Remove all the dust carefully. Repaint using a soft round brush with PU solvent based clear lacquer (as used on boats or wood floors) with about 4-5 coats or more at well over 20C so the lacquer will flow evenly. Let every coat dry thoroughly for a few days and sand lightly with 400 grade in between the coats. I prefer to coat wooden wheels using a satin finish, but others prefer gloss.
Another method is applying many very very thin coats of raw linseed oil and leave every coat to dry for at least a week at summer temperatures.
Generally mahogany plywood or solid mahogany is used but walnut can be used as well. Lighter woods are also used. Yours looks like mahogany ply.
It is a good idea to try out the process first on an old battered Moto-Lita wheel (same manufacturer).

I have done many steering wheels using PU solvent based lacquer and also using raw linseed oil. I prefer the latter method. The drawback may be that in the beginning your hands will smell of linseed oil.

Kees Oudesluijs

Op 31-12-2015 om 17:48 schreef Chris Scholz:

I am finishing restoration of my BN4. Any ideas on how to improve the looks of my wooden steering wheel?  The wood is in very good shape. I would like to lighten it up some, but am nervous to start sanding it since the metal rivets would be more exposed. Any idea what kind of wood they used?  Are these maple?  I know they are not original. I see the original wheels were black plastic.






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