• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Paint for BE steering wheel

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?
 

racingenglishcars

Darth Vader
Country flag
Offline
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.
 
OP
W

Whitephrog

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
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.
 

jlaird

Great Pumpkin
Country flag
Offline
Ace hareware rattle can black for plastic.

Seems to work well, shrug.
 
OP
W

Whitephrog

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
Jack

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

jlaird

Great Pumpkin
Country flag
Offline
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.
 

Sarastro

Obi Wan
Silver
Country flag
Offline
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.
 

sqbsprite

Jedi Trainee
Country flag
Offline
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.
 

bugimike

Yoda
Offline
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!!
 

jlaird

Great Pumpkin
Country flag
Offline
And that Mike sounds like an excellent idea.
 

kcbugeye1275

Jedi Knight
Offline
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.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
TRMark TR4/4A Refurbished Steering Wheel Correct Paint Triumph 6
I General TR Help on quality paint brand for steering wheel? Triumph 2
startech47 Steering wheel paint Triumph 4
H Best Paint for Bugeye Steering Wheel? Austin Healey 2
A Steering Wheel Resto Paint Ideas ? Austin Healey 16
B Cove Paint Color Ideas Austin Healey 10
L Removing Master Cylinder Without Paint Damage Austin Healey 27
1 TR2/3/3A British Racing Green Paint Codes Triumph 6
R TR2/3/3A Does anyone know the paint Code for british Racing Green for a 1954 TR-2? Triumph 12
vpanza Wanted Salvado blue paint sample Triumph Classifieds 8
B 1977 Midget - Sandglow Paint Restoration & Tools 3
B TR6 Help with color and color code / paint recommendation Triumph 4
HealeyPassion Finally, paint on chassis Austin Healey 17
Fanch00 Does it make sense to just paint the panels? Austin Healey 3
K TR6 Need help with Mimosa Yellow Paint Triumph 1
C Alternative to Moss's BMC Green Engine Paint Austin Healey 10
PatPink TR6 Hello, I am new to the site and want to post some photos of my 1973 TR 6. I have done all mods to this car except body and paint. Triumph 10
Bayless A Sprite gets some paint finally Spridgets 2
D Body/Paint Shop Recommendations Austin Healey 1
BoyRacer Rattle can Healey Blue paint Austin Healey 2
Bayless More Paint Other British Cars 3
algot1901 Paint Other British Cars 15
BobHaskell "paint" thickness tester? Restoration & Tools 9
algot1901 1950 Ford Prefect Paint Other British Cars 5
Joel Lester TR2/3/3A DIY paint job? vs leave it to the professionals? Triumph 27
EWD TR6 TR6 top dash trim paint Triumph 2
somewhatspritely The black paint on replacement panels. Restoration & Tools 7
GeorgeC OK to paint battery? Spridgets 9
J Opalescent Silver Blue paint code Jaguar 0
Vargus TR2/3/3A what primer / paint ? Triumph 9
T TR4/4A Fenders off the car for paint? Triumph 8
B TR4/4A Wheel Paint Triumph 17
B TR6 what paint to use? Triumph 7
R TR2/3/3A OEM Paint color Number for 54 TR-2 british Racing Green Triumph 5
D TR6 Valve cover paint Triumph 5
TomMull Paint over galvanized parts? Restoration & Tools 8
Sopwith_Camel MGB-GT lick of paint 1 2 3 MG 2
Rut MGB Pale Primrose touch up paint MG 4
J Paint code Spridgets 0
J 1960 Bugeye Paint Codes Austin Healey 1
J Paint code Austin Healey 4
M Old English White Paint Code for early BE Spridgets 1
J Flaking Paint Inside Differential Austin Healey 6
C Under boot and under bonnet paint? Austin Healey 7
T TR2/3/3A Chassis paint color Triumph 10
A Modern paint codes for Speedwell and Iris Blue for my Bugeye Spridgets 7
vette MGB Paint Code MG 8
S TR2/3/3A Drilling a 3/16 hole in fresh paint Triumph 1
B Engine paint Austin Healey 17
D Lotus Elan S4..Bodywork evaluation..Strip & Paint? Lotus 10

Similar threads

Top