I gave up on trying to find another '49 Chevy accessory steering wheel for "under" a grand, so i sent mine to Australia. This is what they (Pearlcraft) did to it:
I saw a lot of that treatment while over there, any color you want. What was the cost?.........OLDBEET
I don't know yet (still waiting for the post man)...but I know it's a fraction of what you'd pay here. Although, they don't take the wheel all the way down to the steel ring, so that explains part of the cheaper price.
Just go to www.pearlcraft.com.au For shipping, only use USPS Express Air...NO UPS/FedX etc. US Postal was $55 from CA guaranteed 5-day delivery.
I used white marine grade filler on an old Mustang steering wheel and it turned out beautifully. Sanded, primed, painted and it looked like a brand new steering wheel. Hey RF, will there be any '60-'63 truck features on Classic Trucks anytime soon?
Rob. That wheel looks like a marble-granite counter top. I like it. Very original and different. KNUX!
here's a wheel I restored and GaryC painted http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112967&&showall=1
Rob, that's beautiful man. So you haven't gotten it back yet? I'm confused. I have a really beat up square Mopar wheel I'd like to get done, I bet that would be ridiculously high.
Try this http://www.pearlcraft.com.au/index.htm They sent me the pictures. I should have the wheel any day now, as long as no towelbands shoot the plane down. Redoing your square wheel isn't like getting a hat fitted to your square head...shape shouldn't affect price.
Wow! That looks killer. Now I might have to send my Chrysler wheel to Oz someday... I've looked for something more than pearl paint before but never saw these guys' work. Thanks for the heads up!
Jdee...the guy who does woodgraining on old, classic dashboards, has been experimenting with that kind of finish. He's a HAMBer. woodgrain.com (?)
I have put that type "I think" of coating on a few things. I was using a Urethane Casting Plastic to coat things in pearl. Real strong, kinda thick. But it seems you need it a little thick to get the depth. Goes on like Mayo... haha Jdee
Hey JDee! I have another mother of pearl technique to try... I have another busy month ahead, so I don't know if i'll get to try it out, but I'll post it if it works.
JimA, that barf smell......stinks, ha ha. I was smelling my square Desotos this morning, disgusting! The worst is my Philco Predicta television from 1959, yeeeeeuch, especially when it's humid. That stuff is made out of casein, which is a milk based plastic. Jdee, where do you find the raw material?
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