Restoring a 57 steering wheel

[John S.]

Does anyone have a good technique for stripping the paint from a 57(or whatever year) steering wheel without damaging the base wheel itself. Most strippers state do not use on plastic, etc. What is a good method?

[Tom B.]

Re: Restoring a 57 steering wheel

Hi John,

I have been thinking about this all day since I got your email this morning. Then it hit me. As a young car builder of the 1/24 scale size I used to remove paint from plactic model cars with acetone. Didn't harm the plastic at all like thinner would. Try a small spot on the rear, out of sight, to test it.

I'll be scanning that other info tomorrow night before I go home from work.

Later,
Tom

[Tom B.]

Re: Restoring a 57 steering wheel

Hi John,

I have been thinking about this all day since I got your email this morning. Then it hit me. As a young car builder of the 1/24 scale size I used to remove paint from plactic model cars with acetone. Didn't harm the plastic at all like thinner would. Try a small spot on the rear, out of sight, to test it.

I'll be scanning that other info tomorrow night before I go home from work.

Later,
Tom

[John S.]

Re: Restoring a 57 steering wheel

Thank you Tom. I was really getting worried as I have had no one reply. I knew someone had to have some advice. Thanks again. John

[John S.]

Re: Restoring a 57 steering wheel

Thank you Tom. I was really getting worried as I have had no one reply. I knew someone had to have some advice. Thanks again. John

[Al C.]

Acetone softens many plastics & resins

so be very cautious!!!
... Al '58 #378 NCRS SACC

[Al C.]

Acetone softens many plastics & resins

so be very cautious!!!
... Al '58 #378 NCRS SACC

[John S.]

Re: Acetone softens many plastics & resins

Thank You for the input

[John S.]

Re: Acetone softens many plastics & resins

Thank You for the input

[Christopher R.]

Re: Restoring a 57 steering wheel

You realize these wheels weren't painted? If it's original, that color is in the plastic. I assume you're talking about a wheel that you know has been painted.

Can't say for sure what is safe for the kind of plastic in the wheel. But boats are plastic. See what your local marine supply house has. There is a paint stripper made for fiberglass boats. It's not supposed to hurt the fiberglass. But, from the instructions, it seems to mainly rely on a strict time limit on the application. Acetone is regularly used on fiberglass with no ill effects. You should test your wheel first. I don't think you'll find acetone removes paint.

Can you scrape (carefully), sand, and then paint over the paint?

[Christopher R.]

Re: Restoring a 57 steering wheel

You realize these wheels weren't painted? If it's original, that color is in the plastic. I assume you're talking about a wheel that you know has been painted.

Can't say for sure what is safe for the kind of plastic in the wheel. But boats are plastic. See what your local marine supply house has. There is a paint stripper made for fiberglass boats. It's not supposed to hurt the fiberglass. But, from the instructions, it seems to mainly rely on a strict time limit on the application. Acetone is regularly used on fiberglass with no ill effects. You should test your wheel first. I don't think you'll find acetone removes paint.

Can you scrape (carefully), sand, and then paint over the paint?