• Hi Guest!
    If you appreciate British Car Forum and our 25 years of supporting British car enthusiasts with technical and anicdotal information, collected from our thousands of great members, please support us with a low-cost subscription. You can become a supporting member for less than the dues of most car clubs.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Paint for BE steering wheel

Share this page

W

Whitephrog

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
In the process of restoring a BE steering wheel. Wheel is in great shape, no cracks, no nicks, but the finish needs refreshing. What paint is going to work best in this application?
 
I have one of these, though for the BE. It is so nice that I never ever considered an original type wheel.

Sorry, I didn't really answer your question. Hardened automotive enamel would be my first choice. Use appropriate filler (bondo) to fill the cracks first and spray the paint on.
 
I have a leather wrapped Lacerra wheel for one of my BE's. I'm putting the second one back complete stock, thus the question. I think I'll run the wheel by a paint and body buddy today and get his thoughts.
 
Ace hareware rattle can black for plastic.

Seems to work well, shrug.
 
Jack

I was thinking that Rustoleum for plastic might be an answer. I wasn't sure about the wearability.
 
Nice thing about a steering wheel, it is easy enough to pull off and do over if necessary.
 
Aye thats what I used Ray,

Thought then I would use a wrap on the wheel to make it just a bit easer to get hold of so only the center part is important and it of course gets no wear.

Mine is now hanging on the wall not quite finished as I went with a wooden wheel.
 
Isn't the original wheel made of bakelite? If so, it originally had a natural, shiny finish. Cleaning and a little wax might restore it just fine, as long as there are no cracks.
 
The original wheel is not bakelite which would be to brittle. It is hard rubber with a gloss coating that does wear off. Yours sounds like it may just need a good sanding then prime and prep for paint just like any body part. Use hardened automotive gloss black. I have done several. Mine has held up for over 15 years. The spray can paint will become sticky over time from the oils in your hands. The automotive finish will just slowly wear down like the original. If you need to fill cracks or chips use JB Weld. Bondo will crack because the wheel will flex around the spokes which is where they usually crack. file the cracks slightly to provide more surface area for the JB Weld to bond. A tip for using JB, you can dip your finger in water to smooth it out better without affecting it.
 
I would suggest using Appliance Epoxy paint in a puff can, available at Home Depot. It takes a little longer to dry, but is tough as nails!!
 
And that Mike sounds like an excellent idea.
 
Several yrs ago I wrestled with the same thoughts, including the wood steering wheel. I happened to notice a friends new looking steering wheel(he's a body man), and he told me that it wasn't that big a deal. Just use the flex additive that a body shop would use on the flexible bunpers of autos. I've had mine for at least 5 yrs and couldn't be happier.
 
Back
Top