I want to know what the original finish on mk1 steering wheels was, paint? Or were they painted?

I sanded one back with 1200 to polish what I though to be black Bakelite but to black came off, leaving an off-olive grey plastic/resin underneath. horn button was the same grey plastic (not painted?)

Also has anyone got experience with hand polishing acrylic (M monogram)

The wheels weren't painted, the plastic they were moulded from has a smooth outer skin and softer more porous stuff inside. When the outer skin wears away you are left with the inner stuff, which you can't do much with, if you leave it alone it just continues to rub off. They can be repainted and two pack comes up well.

You can polish the horn button with brasso or other metal polish, but the black surround doesn't always come up very well.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Cool. Over moulded definitely explains it. Thanks for the info.

Many years ago I watched how a bloke used to refurbish Bus steering wheels. He used to do vintage, vetran and classic cars at home the same way.

He would sand down the wheel to a smooth finish (about 120 grit) He would tapper and fill any cracks with f/glass resin.

He then mounted the wheel on a "slow" geared motor which turned about 1 or 2 RPM. Then he painted it with black resin (polyeurathan)
As it turned slowly, it would avoid drips and lumps. The finish was excellent.
Alex.

That sounds like a neat trick. Some of the specialist paint suppliers sell a steering wheel refinishing kit, I think POR do one.

Alternatively you can have them professionally refinished, like this tasteful PearlCraft one on ebay at the moment.



A few years ago I bought a reconditioned wheel off ebay. It had been painted in gloss black 2 pack and looked absolutely amazing, but the joker who did it hadn't sorted out the cracks and they showed through the otherwise flawless finish. Since then I found a nearly perfect original wheel, so much happier. Originally they weren't a full gloss, they are meant to be slightly satin.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

Does anyone know what sort of money for a professional finish as above but in plain black. Would there be advantages over 2 pak?

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68 Morris Cooper S Mk1 (*ex 78 1275 LS 4th last built, 70 Morris 1500 OHC & 70 MiniMatic)

Penty of how to's on youtube .............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isF_zDPCiwg

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1965 Morris 850
1966 Morris Mini Minor
1967 Morris Cooper 'S'
1977 Leyland LS

Pearlcraft have a great web site!

http://www.pearlcraft.com.au/

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Their work looks amazing but last time I spoke to pearlcraft it worked out cheaper to buy another mini.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

If your wheel is in good condition you can always have it finished using water transfer printing. Any style you want, wood grain, black etc

As an example have a look at these guys http://www.hydroconcepts.com.au/indexnew.htm (no I haven't used them)

CJ

You can achieve some pretty neat effects with water transfer printing. Like this from the Moke forum.

http://www.mokesinc.org/gallery/5/1603-211112172101.jpeg

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian