Were steering wheels painted.

[harryc]

I just picked up another steering wheel for my 1931 and what I need to know is were they originally painted or left the unpainted dull black color?-thanks

[d.]

originals not painted, natural dull black is correct. In the 80+ years, someone may have painted their steering wheel, but none came from the factory with paint. Check the Restoration Guide/ Judging Standards.

[Jeff/Illinois]

The steering wheel on our very early '29 Tudor used to get gummy and sticky and sweat with temperature changes. It would leave your hands black.

The steering wheel on our '30 Model A never does that. It has a shine to it, is original, maybe somebody lacquered it over the years? but I've never seen a '30-'31 wheel gunk up your hands like our '29 did.............

The Sept. '28 Roadster we had, had a repop red steering wheel, was dull finish, but it never sweated or any of that.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Check you PMs.

[Joe K]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

The steering wheel on our very early '29 Tudor used to get gummy and sticky and sweat with temperature changes. It would leave your hands black.

The steering wheel on our '30 Model A never does that. It has a shine to it, is original, maybe somebody lacquered it over the years? but I've never seen a '30-'31 wheel gunk up your hands like our '29 did.............

The Sept. '28 Roadster we had, had a repop red steering wheel, was dull finish, but it never sweated or any of that.

Ford steering wheels were somewhat variable in composition. I think Ford was already experimenting with bakelite substitutes for steering wheels.

If your wheel has been lacquered (a common remedy even in the day) then you will probably see some wear-through. Lacquer is a hard, easily applied coating which dries fast and may even been in some patent "wheel dressing" remedies used at the time for exactly the sticky problem mentioned. Lacquer is "classically thin" however, even in multiple coats and while hard, the wear through is usual and common.

I have one aftermarket wheel of modern composition - that one is FOREVER I think. I have restored two wheels by epoxy crack fill methods. Both of these have been lacquered and polished using black shoe polish and the result is "presentable" - but not original. The aftermarket wheel looks "true to form" - except for that seam on the outer edge (how most aftermarket wheels are identified and commonly removed with 600 grit paper.)

Joe K

[Larry Jenkins]

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When I restored my 30 CCPU original steering wheel, I epoxied the cracks and dings, smoothed them up and sprayed the whole wheel with VHT 650 gloss black epoxy enamel.

VHT 650 gloss actually dries to a nice original looking "satin" finish. (Made my frame look "factory.")

Waited a week, then, using 0000 steel wool and TreWax paste wax, rubbed the whole wheel until I got the consistent, original looking steering wheel finish.

[harryc]

thanks all

[Dodge]

I have painted a couple of them with rubber bumper paint. It's a semi gloss and has a little bit of a rubbery feel to it. After a little time and use they look pretty original.
No more sticky.

[abachman3]

My 1930, April motor, gets very sticky in cool humid weather. I just wear gloves to drive on those days.