1964 Impala steering wheel paint?

[Astro409]

My steering wheel is UGLY.:mad: I think it was originally black and someone painted it red.:doh Now it has patches of red and black and to say it nicely, its UGLY.:rolleyes: I've been on eBay trying to catch a red steering wheel and seen blue and black. Mine is not cracked or damaged but needs a paint job. Do they sell paint or dye for the steering wheels? Please help me on this one, i'm tired of my steering wheel sticking out like a sore thumb.

[Old School]

My steering wheel is UGLY.:mad: I think it was originally black and someone painted it red.:doh Now it has patches of red and black and to say it nicely, its UGLY.:rolleyes: I've been on eBay trying to catch a red steering wheel and seen blue and black. Mine is not cracked or damaged but needs a paint job. Do they sell paint or dye for the steering wheels? Please help me on this one, i'm tired of my steering wheel sticking out like a sore thumb.

Use automotive paint. Get the factory code or take the glove box lid to a automotive paint store. Get the color matched in universal base color in a pint. They will also tell you what else you need to go with it. Carefully sand the wheel with 120 # down to 280 grit. Mask off the little chrome wheel separators ( don't try to remove them)

Shoot the wheel with self sketching primer then follow with 3 or 4 coats of base color and then 3 or 4 coats of clear. Expect to pay $100 for the paint, clear, hardeners and thinners.

If you don’t have any painting experience, find someone that does. When done right, it will look better than new.

[Astro409]

I had 2 bodyshops in late 90s and one of the painters suggested the same thing.:) I didn't beleive him back then so I left it alone.:doh I'll probably try that this coming weekend. thanks

[Impalaguru]

The steering wheels were gloss originally. The dash parts were not quite a glossy. If you can feather out the existing paint, you can wet sand it with 400 grit paper. If its flaking, you'll have to sand it until its pretty much all gone. The original paints were single stage enamel (maybe lacquer but I don't think the lacquer would have held up as well to being touched and rubbed on all the time). Either way, do like Old School suggested and get automotive paint. Good luck!
Ross

[Rainer]

I painted mine with automotiv paint too - but no clear coat - hope it works the next years - hmm - did the same work the guys told you before - only different was- I had some cracks in the wheel - so I grinded em an filled em out with a 2 component epoxid (it's called ARALDITE-don't know if this is avaidable in amerika)- this stuff was good for grinding too and it was able to paint
before:
http://land.heim.at/pampa/251635/DSCN3389.JPG
after:
http://land.heim.at/pampa/251635/DSCN3668.JPG

[SS425HP]

That looks good. What transmission are you using? That sure has a long shift handle. The 58 was a good looking car. I have always liked them better than the 57. There is one 57 that I would have, though. A member owns it!!!!!

Found a steering wheel to be one of the hardest things to paint there is. Hard to get the paint on it even, due to being round and round. Takes a good painter and a lot of patience to paint one. You did good.

[Rainer]

patience:D :D hehe - but you are right - it was a lot of work--and it's a th 700 tranny