VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 -34 steering wheel restoration. Can it be painted?

Hi.
The original steering wheel om my 34 Master does not look very nice.
Is paintig the wheel the normal prosedure when restoring theese?
I am not sure what material theese steering wheels are made of.
Thanks.

I painted mine many years ago with black lacquer from a rattle can..

Check out www.steeringwheelbob.com It has some good information on the subject and probably there are several others on the internet.

I used rattle can enamel on mine but it hasnt been used since so cannot estimate the longevity of it. Tony

On the rubber wheels I have used Rustoleum, but it takes a week to cure before applying another coat.Many coats are needed.If you dont wait the finish tends to bubble. It helps to heat the can in warm water in cold weather. On plastic wheels i have used cable joint kit resin to fill in the missing pieces.Used epoxy putty in the cracks but the wheel shows the cracks after some use.The rubber wheels are more successful with the Rustoleum paint.Maybe you guys can get better paint than this.

I have painted a 1930's Ford steering wheel and it has held up about 40 years now. Rustoleum and other rattle can enamel paints can be recoated sooner than in the last post, but needs to be done within the specified time listed on the can because there is a critical phase period that causes problems if that time is exceeded. Then it is best to wait until it is fully cured. Not so with lacquer or catalyzed enamel. Whatever you do make sure the base material is squeaky clean.

You can recoat the Rustoleum spray can paint many times but must be done within the first 6 to 8 Hrs otherwise you must wait 2 or 3 days. I use Rustoleum "Painters Choice" black on most every thing I do as it covers very well with about three coats. For a great looking Steering wheel you need to use Black Lacquer in a spray can. Several coats are need and wheel must be near perfect when you start. They can be applied as soon as the previous coat is "fac" free.

I panted mine out of rattle cans too. My mistake was to use body filler in the cracks instead of epoxy.They cracked again.

I did the same thing.

I followed the same but I put a coat of water based poly seal on last. Water base poly was also used on dash and garnish molding. I use water base so if I do not like it I can remove it with a wet rag and some rubbing. It gives it that deep looking gloss shine of a new wheel.