Steering Wheel Refinish

[mhm1966]

Has anyone been able to paint 1969 steering wheels. I thought they were plastic, but when I got off the phone with SEM Products tech line, they said the 1969 steering wheels were made of nylon. They he told me that paint will not stick to nylon. Does anyone have any input on this subject?

[jl8z28]

It does i have painted them

[BCreekDave]

I scuffed one up real well with coarse scotch-brite pad and shot a base of epoxy primer. No problems with adhesion at all.

[mhm1966]

I was stumped when the SEM tech told me even with an adhesion promoter the paint will not stick. Are you guys using base coat clear coat or a single stage paint. What paint line are you using.

[BCreekDave]

I used SPI epoxy as the base and a acrylic urethane SS Delfleet Essential color (black, in my case) with SEM World Class clear.

[BCreekDave]

With the clear, it is glossier than original. i wanted the clear for a bit of protection from UV. A satin clear may get closer to original.

[mhm1966]

Has anyone tried satin clear?

[camarojoe]

They weren’t satin, the plastic was very glossy when new. Not “3 coats of urethane clear” glossy, but definitely not satin.

[CamarosRus]

DAVE, Curious why you didnt use SPI Universal Clear ?????

Anybody know if a Glazing Putty like UPOL Dolphin Glaze would
work on Minor Scratches or or will the EPOXY Fill and then sand
that.......??? or will Sanding the Epoxy Gum up the paper..........

[jer]

I've done several '69 wheels. If the wheels are really nice and only showing very minor flaws I just sand with 1000-1500, then hand buff. If you're going to repaint and know you're going to cut and buff, then paint a satin or a bit shinier, then cut and buff and your wheel will show the gloss but won't have the depth, which is exactly what the oem finish was. This is my preferred method. Spi epoxy and their SS urethane is the ticket.