painting 40 dash and steering wheel
 

i am getting ready to repair my steering wheel and paint it and the dash. do you guys remove the stainless rings on the wheel. if so what is the best way and then reinstall without ruining them and how do i two tone the dash without ending up with a tape line thanks tom

Re: painting 40 dash and steering wheel
 

I would strongly suggest NOT to remove the rings. If you do remove them I don't think you will be able to get them reinstalled tight again because of "spring back" in the metal. Plus, whatt if you break one? I did not remove the stainless rings on the steering wheel when I painted it. But I did use very thin pin striping tape to cover them. Very easy to do. For the rest of the dash- to avoid tape line you can "back fold the tape" so that when you remove it the built up edge comes with it - or- Instead of doing that I used the very thin pin striping tape (without backfolding) because it is easier to follow the contour of the dash. Also, if there is a slight ridge you can sand it with 600 grit and soap & water. Then retape and paint. Then wet sand and buff the entire dash by hand. I didn/t use an electric buffer as i was afraid of "snagging" the wheel in the many open edges.

Re: painting 40 dash and steering wheel
 

19Fordy, Very nice '40 you have there!

Re: painting 40 dash and steering wheel
 

19 fordy, thanks for the advice will do like you said thanks again tom

Re: painting 40 dash and steering wheel
 

Thank you. It may seem crazy, but the thing I am most proud of is the chrome strips that go above and below both the ash trays. I made them out of cold rolled steel flat stock before the repros came out. Probably the only ones in the world made out of steel instead of pot metal.