Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: mcreasy on August 31, 2012, 14:37:00

Title: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: mcreasy on August 31, 2012, 14:37:00
I am in Southern California and I tried to apply a clear coat to my steering wheel but it is now sticky and so I need to have it done professionally or find another product to reglaze the wheel with!!...Does anyone know a place that will restore my steering wheel or a product to use myself for a clear coat (not sticky) for the wheel?? Thanks
Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: Jonny B on August 31, 2012, 16:02:39
You might check with benzrestorer, a member on the forum, who does wheel refurbishing/repair.
Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: George Des on August 31, 2012, 20:17:53
The only way to do this and have it last is with a catalyzed paint like a PPG Acrylic Urethane. I used a base clear combo and had no problem with it being sticky or scratching up.

George
Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: mdsalemi on September 01, 2012, 01:59:13
...makes me so happy that I bought a new steering wheel during the restoration, for $150, and sold the old one for $75...

and I hope I don't need another anytime soon.
Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: hauser on September 01, 2012, 02:10:17
I did this with my stick shift knob.  I found someone locally that does cypress clocks and tables.  I took the knob to him and had him dip it in a clear two part epoxy resin.  So far so good.

Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: George Des on September 01, 2012, 12:45:20
The two part catalyzed paints dry by a chemical reaction and not just by evaporation. The end result is a very hard and durable finish. I did my steering wheel by first roughing up the surface with a fine grade sandpaper and then filling the cracks with an epoxy putty which was then sanded smooth. The whole wheel was then painted with two part epoxy primers and then a two part PPG primer surfacer and then sanded smooth. A few coats of uncatalyzed PPG basecoat were then covered with 2-3 coats of a PPG catalyzed clear. You need to be very careful with the catalyzed clear since it contains polyisocaynates which are highly toxic especially in a confined environment. The epoxy primer has no isocyanates but you should still be careful where you spray it and still wear a respirator when using it. I have a high volume-low pressure spray system that I used to do most of the work on my restoration, but for this small project, I actually used one of the disposable Preval spray systems and it worked out just fine.

George
Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: BABAK on September 01, 2012, 18:23:03
The best way is to break off all the old  plastic use the metal piece for the plastic injection mold. Just like new

Filling in the cracks and painting is a lot of work and does not last that long before it starts cracking again

(http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u106/babakb/DSCN7397-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Steering Wheel restoration Needed
Post by: Louis on September 01, 2012, 20:30:42
But what a beautiful design these wheels are....I just love them !!