Pearlcraft-style Steering wheels

Thanks for posting up, KIRK!. Probably worth biting the bullet and going to the original source. Did you send them reference colors? Car paint chips?
Do tell.

 

Just dug up this Q&A from the PearlCote site: http://www.pearlfinishing.com.au/~pearl/index.php?id=4#

 

the stuff is the same as drum wrap. very thin, stiff,but if you heat it, you can form it. the case of an accordion has the same finish on it sometimes and is vacuum formed. i imagine steering wheels are done similarly with a seam in the back or inside of the hoop. some sort of glue or contact cement must go on at some point. it's all these little details and the order that there done in that they've work out that's the secret. you can buy pearl drum wrap in lots of colors and patterns, most of it is still made in italy.

 

I will be sending my 65 Lincoln wheel there as soon as the centre has been re-chomed. I was quoted $750 for two tone blue and white.(that price also includes repairs) You can send them colour samples and they can get the pearl pretty close. It is seamless, it is not a wrap of any type. I will post before and after pics when I get it back. Cheers Angelo

 

They have color samples, but can match whatever you send. I sent a piece of actual drum skin that I was using in other places in the car for them to match.

 

......OUCH!

 

You'v gotta pay to play. Maybe I'll run a single carb and let my 3X2 intake pay for my steering wheel. Hmmm.

 

I finally broke down and did it myself. Certainly not as cool as a pearlcraft but I'm happy with the result.

 

....I thought you were going to "pay to play"

 

ZING. You got me. Kinda. I did sent an email to the Pearlcraft folks in AU and even called and left a message. I got no response from either. Maybe they're pissed because I ask too many questions on the HAMB. And I was a little dissappointed to learn that the pearl effect is UV sensitive and can fade over time. I'm a cheap ******* at heart so I did it myself using paint. I'm happy with the result. To each his own.

 

No problemo. I was just messin' with you. I can't say that I blame you for doin' it yourself. I love the looks of the "Pearlcraft" stuff, but it's out of my league.

 

Thanks for the update,..might not be "pearly" but it still looks good.

Apologies on behalf of our nation for the poor customer service displayed by afore mentioned companies

 

.....No apology needed. We love you Aussies. Keep the Hot Rodding spirit alive.

 

Late with this to help Slimegreen, but I did one with Pearlcraft for my (since sold) 40 Tudor and they were AWESOME to work with....did my wheel and knobs...could not have been happier.

 

I decided to test me abilities as a painter on my roadster's wheel. I went down to my local Painter's Supply with paint code in hand for a silvery metallic turquoise that I want to paint my roaster, and got all the stuff I'd need in order to spray my wheel in the exact color I had in mind:
A: a pint of custom-mixed PPG basecoat
B: a can of medium dry time reducer
C: a can of glossy clear
D: I already had 400- and 600-grit wet/dry paper but if I didn't I would have needed it.
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

(CLICK TO ENLARGE)

The set-up was surprisingly easy to work with and while I'm no painter, I found the whole thing to be relatively simple. Following the instructions and remembering to clean all the equipment directly after use left me with a perfectly re-usable aerosol spray cartridge. The paint needed reducer, which I subsequently mixed three-parts paint to one-part reducer and shot the paint through an aeresol cartridge. Proper ventilation and a good mask are an absolute BTW. The aerosol cartridge is called a Preval Sprayer and I'm really looking forward to using this set-up again. The cartridges are sold separately so it would be no problem to use the set-up another project. And my pint of pint of paint is only maybe ten percent used up. It's a great way to really see the color I had in mind for the exterior of the car. Shots to be added later, as my clear is still setting up. Hmmm...maybe it's time to paint the engine block.

 

Looking forward to the pictures.

 

Very cool link, Tin Can. Your secret is safe with me.

[/QUOTE]

 

i had the 40 ford deluxe wheel done in my roadster and have not noticed any discoloring yet and i drive it all the time

 

Shots added to prior post up above, lothiandon. Enjoy!

 

That looks great.

 

Very nice.

 

Slimegreeeeeen,

Your wheel looks great, I love the color! And this may be a silly question, but why can't you do any of the finishes that I see on your shift knobs on your steering wheel? Complexity?

 

Totally fair question, Rolleflex. That would be a bit beyond our scope. I think that's where Pearlcraft would have to be brought in and even then, not sure we could do an exact match. There's a link earlier on this thread with an embedded link to a guy who airbrushes to get a similar effect. Check it out. I'm just not that good and don't own an airbrush.

 

Color is looking a little bluer than it actually is in the pics. It's actually a light turquoise
pearl metallic. The metalflake has a bit more bling than in the shot, too. Pretty ****py photographer am I.

 

Here are some color-corrected shots of the wheel. This is much more representative of the actual color.

 

http://www.drumfoundry.com/c-91-drum-wraps.aspx

This stuff is kinda thick, not sure if it would lend itself to stretching too well, even with heat. I spoke with JDee years ago about a soft roller (like he does with woodgraining).

I was experimenting using sponging and wadded up plastic wrap of pearl colors, but it never had the depth of the real thing. I have seen how they make the drum wrap, and Accordion bodies they mix pearl powder, some dyes and resin and swirl it... Then they slice the blocks of hardened resin thin, then they stack slices from different blocks and slice it thin again on an angle to make a mottled pearl-like veneer. The blurred transitions from pearl, color dyes and transparent resin give it the depth.

The hydrographic, or "Water Printing" way of doing a whole wheel is probably a good way to get the depth, the Alsa Crazer might work to on small items... Maybe a combination?

http://youtu.be/JOtCXn5GZTE

If you've ever seen a book cover done with the multi-color swirls, the technique is called Suminagashi or paper marbling.

http://youtu.be/_JBGDKV2pIw

There is an additive you can put in the water to make the pain float on top... you can mix up the paint, swirl it around with a toothpick, fork, or just disturb it with wadded plastic to mottle it, THEN apply it by dipping.

Maybe the depth can be achieved by doing it over one color pearl paint, dip it, then a few coats of clear, then dip it again with more spaces between color, and then more clear to build it, like when you paint metal flake.

Idano... just thinking...

 

i try to find out how to do that since years and you cant find anythin about it. Funnywise i was in Istanbul a couple of weeks ago and guess what ? Every cab or truck driver has one inside his car. Even on modern cars. Sadwise i reconized it just at drvebye vehicles :-(

 

You've never seen a Pearlcraft wheel. Ooooh baby.