Painting Steering Wheels

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 1:37 pm

Hiya All,

A couple of years ago I rehabbed my steering wheel. Came out very nicely, thank you. When I painted it I primered it, used Krylon Gloss Black, and topped it with Krylon Clear. Looked like a million bucks.

In use the surface of the wheel feels just a tad sticky. This is especially evident when it's warm outside. Additionally, the gloss seems to have worn off.

So........I'm guessing that Krylon may not have been the best choice. But I am a spray can kinda guy. Are there any good alternatives out there on the market that can restore the color and gloss to my steering wheel and not leave it tacky?

bretski · Post by **bretski** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 2:03 pm

When you painted the steering wheel, you painted the spokes and the grip?

I'll tell you that a couple of years ago, my steering wheel started getting tacky and gross like that. My hands would get black gunk on them after driving...presumably from UV/ozone/whatever deterioration of the plastic.

I bought a Wheelskin product (custom sized) direct from the factory. Love it. Maybe repaint the spokes, and go with a cover for the grip?

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 3:16 pm

Hiya Bret,

Well, that is a thought.

My wheel is the early style all plastic wheel so I can (and did) paint the entire thing. My first choice would to be find some kinda rattlecan paint that will hold up to hot sweaty hands.

dtrumbo · Post by **dtrumbo** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 4:20 pm

Mike, as you know, like you I'm a stock enthusiast, but I have to second Bretski's suggestion of the wheelskins. I have them on both the buses and am going to order another for the bug. They're wonderful.

I too had the sticky goo on my '78 padded wheel that Bretski describes. Yuck! The wheelskin is the perfect solution.

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:30 pm

I have original paint, scratched gouged but with character at least. It does slip and slide nicely thru my hands, which I enjoy. Especially when you have to turn in a hurry and often such as a bad road.
I'll bet using an appropriate epoxy and baking it in an industrial oven would do the trick. I'll do some research tomorrow if you want, while I'm in the blinky-box.

Bookwus · Post by **Bookwus** » Tue Aug 04, 2009 5:34 pm

Hiya Bob,

Yeah, see what you can find out.

I'd still like to go the paint route but I'm obviously gonna have to give the Wheelskins some serious thought.

RussellK · Post by **RussellK** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 6:22 am

I went with wheelskins. Really happy with them

hambone · Post by **hambone** » Wed Aug 05, 2009 8:07 am

http://www.thebugshop.org/bsfqstrg.htm
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... heel+paint
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto ... heel+paint

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Painting Steering Wheels

Painting Steering Wheels

Re: Painting Steering Wheels