TR6 TR6 Steering wheel refinishing

[mgNOT]

In fiddling with my steering wheel, I used a scotchbrite pad on my die grinder to remove what I thought was the original silver paint due to rust working its way underneath. It appears I was wrong, and the spokes are plated, and not painted.
Does anyone know what was originally there? It didn't seem like chrome originally, but now I'm not so sure.
Thanks.
Dennis

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Dennis,

What year is your 6.

Cheers.

M. Pied Lourd

 

[Brosky]

I've polished mine with Mag polish and got a nice soft shine on it. It appeared to me to look like a brushed aluminum finish, but I'm not sure what it is on my 1974.

 

[mgNOT]

My TR6 is a '73. Since the back side of the steering wheel spokes were showing rust spiders underneath the finish, I assumed (I know) it was paint. The scotchbrite on the die grinder connvinced me otherwise. The plating is more golden than the base metal, although still very silver colored. Could it be cadmium? I am attempting a rebuild of the wheel, including recasting the rim. I don't think I will spring for chrome, at least not on my first try. My father-in-law was a pattern maker, and I could use his help, but he has passed away. I do know that I should have started with a complete sheet of MDF or at least baltic birch. I have been trying to use up my vast collection of scraps, and the necessity of the two mold halves to match tightly is a challenge. The whole thing may go in the junk, but it's the principle of the thing.
-Dennis