Question for those who refurbish, repaint

SteveM · Mar 22, 2004

Two basic questions - anyone know of a good black paint for a worn (but good) steering wheel? This wheel is smooth and free of cracks, but is faded from years of use. Would rather repaint than replace.

Second- I am in need of a few plastic knobs for levers (throttle etc) missing the end knobs.

Thanks for your help

normde2001 · Mar 22, 2004

You might try "Plasti-coat bumper black" found in most autoparts stores. Have not tried it on a steering wheel, but it sticks to plastic pretty well. Also Home Depot and Lowes carry rubber chair leg protectors in a lot of sizes, black and white. Also, if the metal tips are missing from your shifter knobs, the chrome "hole covers" with the clips snipped off work well on there with "JB Kwik".

Soundguy · Mar 22, 2004

Good ideas so far. I'll also add that I've seen 'rubberizing' spray apint.. for like spraying ont he ends of closet maid shelving, to seal the plastic.. Similar to that bedliner stuff.. which I've seen in spray cans too.

I've painted my 2N steering wheel with flat black... that is holding good.. but of course.. it doesn't fill in cracks..

If you are missing knobs altogether.. you might find some universal ones to fit at tractor supply.. or even a junk yard.

Find the thread count and pitch of the hal\ndles, and get some nuts and bolts to match it up then go junkyard shopping... perhaps some early model jap cars will have similar?

Good luck.

Soundguy

gws · Mar 22, 2004

I saw an ad over the weekend that kyrlon has a paint specificly for plastic now.

callais · Mar 22, 2004

I have used the KRYLON paint on other plastic parts and was not happy with it, it'll still peel unless you sand the surface,....(despite what the can says). On most metals and some plastics, the high heat (Bar-B-Q) paint works well. I put an auto steering wheel cover over mine to hide some blemishes and give it a cushioned feel. I also looks really nice.

Callais

normde2001 · Mar 22, 2004

You might also try "XIM" primer, carried by Sherwin-Williams Paints. I have used it on bad chrome with great results, also sticks to glass, plastic and probably everything else. Seems to work well with any kind of top coat.

kayssupply · Mar 22, 2004

If you won't tell anybody, I'll let you in on a trade secret. You sand the fade off the wheel as best you can. The more white you get off the better it works. Then you take a propane torch and just feather the flame on the faded area and watch it turn shiny black. Don't hold still, keep it moving until it looks like you want it. You fade it into the good part of the wheel. But don't tell anyone else.