I picked up a really nice 40 dash at the Portland swap meet for my 40 project. I also picked up all the gauges from a guy that switched to digital. Going back to column shift. I want to restore the steering wheel which is in good shape except for the poor paint job. I bought a new reproduction smaller diameter wheel for the 40 but I'm thinking of using this stock wheel in my Model A. Has anyone successfully removed the 4 (looks like ss) rings on the wheel during restoration and replaced them with the original or reproduction ones. I don't care for the look of them being painted.
I just masked the rings off when restoring the wheel in my '40. Wrapped masking tape around the spokes over the rings, then used a razor blade to trim the tape on each side of the ring.
They painted over the rings as seen in the picture. I don't know what paint remover or soda blasting would do to the existing wheel. Looks like the rings could be pried open from the back and cleaned or polished but re crimping them wouldn't get them to close and stay tight.
Mask off around the rings and try some fine sandpaper or steel wool on the rings or use a Q-tip to apply something like lacquer thinner to the paint. Test whatever solvent you try on a less visible part of the wheel...
You've got a bit of work in restoring that BIG radio hole. Will you fill it or take it back to accept the block off plate? I bought a repro wheel from Limeworks that I would have liked to paint white to match my white interior but the paint process plus the problem of removing and replacing the rings meant I took the easy way and left it black. Was lucky that I ended up with a full set of working original gauges with exception of the clock which is only correct twice a day LOL
I CAREFULLY removed mine before restoring the wheel but putting them back on after painting the wheel was one of the most aggravating things I've ever had to do. I recommend you first don't spread them apart anymore than you have to taking them off and paint the grooves in the wheel before re-installing them, then mask them and then paint the rest of the wheel. Expect to have to touch up after installing them cause they're a real PITA to get back on. Good luck I hope it's easier for you then it was for me.
Take a new single edge razor blade and carefully scrape the paint off the rings If you take them off I’ve never seen anyone get them back on tite Stock diameter is much cooler than the cut down ones IMHO
Refer to my post of getting a really nice dash at Portland swap meet and also getting all the gauges and wiring from a friend. The dash and gauges shown is what's in the car and coming out. Will probably fill radio hole in old dash.
Since I already have a reproduction, I might as well try some other way on this wheel. I might take a dremel tool and cut a narrow grove around the outer side of each ring about the width of the ring down to the steel. Slide the ring over the groove and remove it. I won't have to spread it very far to remove it. Polish the ring and repair the steering wheel and get it ready for paint, except for the cut groove. Replace ring and over bend it so it has some spring back and slide it back to its position on the wheel. repair the cut grove with epoxy and mask off rings and paint wheel. Sounds easy sitting at the computer.
I agree with @F-head that the 15" wheels from Vintique are too small and lose the style of the original wheel. The wheel from Limeworks was 16" and looked much better although probably smaller than an original.
I do have the 15" repo and will probably use it on my aftermarket Model A steering column as appears that it is for a gm column. The original was 17"
I think the best bet is just to carefully mask them off. I considered taking mine off but I thought better of it because I didn’t think I could get them back on tight enough with common tools. I’m happy with how my wheel turned out.
I bought my repro '40 wheel from Limeworks and I asked Steve about dealing with the SS rings when painting it and he said DON'T remove them but carefully mask them instead. He advised me that I'd do more damage to the wheel trying to re-crimp them back on again.
Not as yet because it's going onto different project that's not finished as yet. Either contact Steve or do a search for wheel painting, there's been a few that I've seen on here.
I got a detailed instruction sheet on painting the wheel when I bought it from Limeworks. I was thinking more of a rattle can job rather than having to fire up the gun just to paint a steering wheel. @Russco you did a great job there on your wheel.
The Jalopy Journal
