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Painting a steering wheel
65busser - July 2nd, 2003 at 09:32 PM

I want to paint the steering wheel on my split bus white or cream or whatever colour the original light coloured wheel was painted. It's black now, and I reckon someone has given it a coat of black at some stage 'cos there seems to be plenty of paint on it. The question is, how do I get the existing paint off? Can it be sanded without sanding away the ribbed section of the spokes, or is there a stripper of some sort that will work and not damage the wheel? Has anyone done it? I know there are steering wheel restorers, but I could buy a new repro wheel for that sort of money. And while I'm at it, does anyone know the correct colour?
Cheers

fish - July 3rd, 2003 at 05:28 AM

There are a few restorers around. Hardings in Brisvegas have a guy who will do it. Fairly expensive though. maybe you can powdercote, dunno, maybe too hot in the oven and they melt. just ring around the VW shops. isn't Volkspower down your way? cheers,fish

vw54 - July 3rd, 2003 at 07:13 AM

I think you can onl ysand the old paint off. As stripper will eat into the plastic on the wheel and blasting will also chew it away.

What ever you do paint it with a 2 Pak paint and while yr there do all the other bits as well like the gearstick, handbrake, door knobs etc etc

tiny oval - July 3rd, 2003 at 08:28 AM

try pearlcraft in Burwoos i think, i have seen wheels done by them and they look great.

helbus - July 3rd, 2003 at 08:56 PM

Pearlcraft is in Blackburn, 100m from my place.
Yes you can get pearl, or you can get two pack
I would suggest sanding with 180 grit sandpaper or 120 if that is not working well, ensuring to sand over again with the 180.
Aryldite is used to fill the cracks.
Then off to your friendly painter for paint.
:D

65busser - July 3rd, 2003 at 09:28 PM

Thanks all. Helbus, you reckon the 120 or 180 will not eat into the wheel itself? I don't know what it's made of. Would it be plastic, 'cos I'm concerned about the ribbed section on the face of the spokes.

helbus - July 3rd, 2003 at 09:47 PM

Thats what the guy at pearlcraft does!

waltermitty - July 11th, 2003 at 05:58 PM

I have read that the one of the POR epoxy self leveling paints works a treat, very very hard and flexable brush on but the brush marks dissapear. I have used other POR product(chassis paint ) and it works a treat.
MitChElL:cool:.

Guy_H - August 5th, 2003 at 07:28 PM

If you are going to restore, the correct epoxy is PC7, you may have to import it from the states. It has the same flex / expansion / contraction as the original wheel. Use other stuff & you risk flex cracks (over time).

If you want to save the drama & expense (spending up to 10 hours reshaping the grooves!), Flat 4 have had them made brand new (& they are perfect)

http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=7065

nicko - August 6th, 2003 at 01:19 PM

Try reading the story on the site called the Bug Shop about steering wheel resto

Guy_H - August 6th, 2003 at 02:05 PM

we got our PC7 from Rocky Mountain Motorworks - USA

57kombi - August 20th, 2003 at 08:30 PM

nicko

How do I get to the bug shop site what is the correct address.
Cheers
Dave

modulus - August 21st, 2003 at 12:53 PM

http://www.thebugshop.org/ 

HTH