Banjo Steering Wheel Finish

Browniepetersen

I have a banjo steering wheel on my 1936 Hudson Eight that had cracking in the finish. I sanded it down and found a hard type of rubber material. Should I paint the surface (what type of paint--laquer or what) or should I treat it with something like armoral?

bent metal

I think what your talking about is Bakelite and it's a plastic. Most likely black in color (but it could be any color). If I remember right this stuff is made with fermaldahyde in it, bad spelling I'm sure, but you know what I mean. If I was sanding on it I would try not to breathe the dust. As for finish I think you can clean it and it will clean up like the old rotary phones use to look. Not a mirror finish, but look good. If you have too much cracking I think they paint up just fine.

Browniepetersen

Thanks, There is only one small crack near one of the sections of metal bars and no missing nicks. I am guessing that the wheel was painted from the way that the laquer seemed to crack. It was only through the gloss finish. I do think I will go the paint method and see how that turns out. Thanks again.:):)

[Deleted User]

If you are able to paint it with a urethane enamel that would be better than lacquer. The lacquer is a brittle finish. The urethane enamel has the ability to flex somewhat without cracking. I have had good luck filling cracks in these older steering wheels with the two-part flexible bumper repair compounds available at the body shop supply. Prime with a hi-build primer & paint.



Tom

bent metal

Tom Drew wrote:

If you are able to paint it with a urethane enamel that would be better than lacquer. The lacquer is a brittle finish. The urethane enamel has the ability to flex somewhat without cracking. I have had good luck filling cracks in these older steering wheels with the two-part flexible bumper repair compounds available at the body shop supply. Prime with a hi-build primer & paint.



Tom

It's been a long long time since I've painted anything. Are you talking about adding a "flex agent" to the paint? Does the steering wheel end up feeling rubbery or stickey when it's done?

[Deleted User]

No need to add flex agent to the paint. It's just that a catalyzed urethane paint has an ability to be more flexible than a lacquer, especially as the paint ages. And no, once the wheel is primed and painted, the surface is just like any other plastic or metal object that has been painted.



What's really happening with these old steering wheels is that the plastic or hard rubber compounds that were used shrink slowly over a period of time. The more weathering they are exposed to, the more they shrink, and eventually crack. I don't know that they ever really stop shrinking completely. But if they are repaired properly and sealed with paint, I believe they will stay in that condition for quite a while. The first one I repaired this way was about 9 years ago, and it is still perfect.



Tom

Browniepetersen

Thanks to one and all the advice is great and the first coat of paint went on yesterday in the shop. While I was at my local paint supply shop they showed me a kit provided by POR 51 company that is for rebuilding these steering wheels. What I learned here on the FORUM was covered in the instructions with the kit. It did not change my knowledge base only reinforced my confidence level. Thanks again....:):)