I just had to have a merc accessory wheel to finnish of the period correct interior Im doing on my 47 ford, so I did some searching, and got a decent core, that didnt require a total recast. Following a tech article on here I used the POR-15 epoxy putty to fill in the large cracks, after filing the cracks to a large "v" shaped groove. I sanded these smooth, and then coated the whole wheel in Evercoat Metal Glaze. After a few nights work of sanding, filling, sanding, etc, I noticed that the gaps around the 2 metal spoke inserts were much bigger than they originaly were, due to shrinkage, and cracks in the plastic. I used Duragl*** to build up the area, and then sanded it to the right contour. I then shot the entire wheel with 3 coats of U-tech high build primer, and blocked the whole wheel with 400 grit. I then gave it one more coat of high build, and wet sanded in 400 to prepare for paint. I had my local paint shop mix a single stage U-tech urethane in an off white color, that looked original, and had my friend Vinne G in Harford Co. Maryland spray the wheel, knowing he'd get a nice gl*** smooth finnish right out of the gun, that would have taken me hours of color sanding to achieve. Well, the wheel looks great, but here is the warning. DO NOT waste your money on the POR-15 epoxy putty. In the 3 main locations that had cracks that I used the epoxy putty, the repair shows through the paint. It did not show through the primer, but I have a good feeling that when exposed to the heat in the paint booth for the color coat, the epoxy shrunk. It was mixed and used exactly as the directions explain. It had cured for a week before being primed. The shrinkage is very minor, and no one would notice it but me, and coincidentaly, the horn ring hides the main affected area on the right spoke. The duragl*** I used in the gap area around the metal inserts did not shrink, and worked really well. I wish I would have used the duragl*** for the cracks as well. I read about the POR-15 product in a tech article on here, but in my case, it proved to be a very bad choice. Anyway, once I get the center emblem from Emblemagic, and the metal inserts and horn ring re-chromed, it should finnish off my interior with the early 50's Barris look just perfectly.
Chad, is the steering wheel center for this accessory wheel unique to it or is it shared with a more common Mercury wheel? I'd sure like to know... thanks!
The center is actualy more like a lincoln. A 49-50 baby lincoln steering wheel had the same exact center piece. The metal retainer piece was the same, but the plastic logo insert had a mercury logo instead of a lincoln one. The merc insert looks like this: So the center is repro'd, all you need is the metal ring from a lincoln wheel to complete the merc wheel, ad the center cap is often missing. Do you have an accessory wheel too?
Chad, you asked me, "Do you have an accessory wheel too?" After seeing the pictures of your steering wheel (it looks great, by the way!) I thought it looked familiar and, sure enough, a picture I took of a stripped '51 four-door that I found a few months back shows the same wheel. I'll definately be going out there this weekend! Funny, the car is almost completely bare except for the dash and steering wheel (and it is in pretty good shape with the horn ring, too). For what kind of money do these accessory wheels usually sell? Also, from where do you get the reproduction center emblem? I am in the parts-gathering stage of a '49 Merc buildup and still have a lot to learn about these cars so your sharing of your knowledge is really a big help!
There is a nicely restored one on ebay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...RK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=140062544965&rd=1,1 A really torn up core went on ebay last month for $600, and it has to be recast, the plastic was not saveable. A recast runs $500-600. The word is that a good restored one is worth $2000-2500, but we'll see how much the one on ebay gets. Id say a good core, with repairable plastic, and all metal parts should be worth $1000-1200. I really had to pay to get mine, but its worth it. I would definately go get that wheel. post some pics when you do. I have a soft spot for them! Im sure if its in a yeard, it will be WELL below its value. The emblem is available from emblemagic.com, but there is a very long wait period. Mine will be ready in february. Chad
yea, and the guy who makes the repro has raised his price. he now wants $1800 (claims that he cant update the website to change the price). http://www.qualityrestorations.com/MercuryAccessoryWheels.htm
That's crazy... better hang on to my K and Crestliner wheels I guess... I've noticed that the K wheels have gone up a lot just in the past few years.
You think the merc wheels are high, you saw the remains of that crestliner wheel go for $1400 on ebay right?
Damn? Seriously??? I need to get my Crestliner redone! I haven't been on eBay in a long while since it's been slow..... EDIT: Couldn't find it, but check out this one.
Wow, How did I miss that? That was a pretty damn good deal actually. if he would have put in 1949 instad of 49-51 mercury in the ***le, more people would have seen it, including me!
I saw that and a few other crestliner wheels go for funny money. Weird thing is I think the Merc wheel is much better looking. By the way Chad, yours looks terrible with that homemade restoration, hows about I give you a couple hundred bucks to take it off your hands . (Just kidding, that is honestly one of the nicest home done restorations I have seen). Dennis raised his price to 1800? That stinks. I guess its time to start looking on ebay again.
That guy didnt put a space between "49-51" and "mercury", how did you find it Seymour? How did anyone find it? It would have gone for a lot more money if the ***le was right. I wacth ebay constantly for these. I paid more than that for my core, which needs a center cap, and redone chrome. That auction is making my cry.
steering wheels are where the big bucks are now i guess. i paid $40 for a 54 chevy standard wheel that was in "good" shape right out of the local bone yard. at first i thought i was getting ripped off cause i normally get great deals from him (running 36 flathead with trans 550 bucks) i thought he just had a steering wheel fetish. im goin to search the bone yard high and low for a accesory wheel now! ha
I gave away a NOS horn ring a while back. A friend had a core wheel, and I knew I could never afford one. (I found it in a trunk).............OLDBEET
Anybody read the article on Nadine Mercury Charlie's Ride in Rodder's Journal? I think it said he build a special table to house his Accessory wheel before he put it on there LOL. Now I know Why.
Thanks, heres an updated pic of the wheel now. I still need to get the chrome redone (there is monior pitting, but I want it perfect), and more importantly finish the car its going on. Trashed and Hammered, that was a great article, with amazing pics of that interior of Mercury Charlies car. I get excited anytime I see a picture of a custom with the Merc accessory wheel. In my opinion, it is the coolest kustom accessory.
hold on to your wallets guys and wait for dennis carpenter..he is in motion repoping the merc accessory center including the base and ring..his quote is around $100 for the ***y.."all you would have to do is pop it on"..should be this fall to have the product...i know because i gave him to copy that was perfect....emblemagic is out
hold on to your wallets guys...dennis carpenter is repopping the accessory wheel center for around $100 including the base and stainless ring..i gave him a great copy to use in the process..should be in the late summer or fall to be available..emblemagic eat your heart out...
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