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MG MGB Technical - Paint Steering Wheel Hub?

Hi, Guys - I'm about ready to paint the steering wheel hub in my '67 GT. It has the original wheel with the wire spokes. It looks like a former owner tried to repaint it, but the paint didn't stick very well and only about half of it remains. The rest has flaked off, exposing what looks like an aluminum alloy hub.

So what's the best way to prepare the hub for painting, and what kind of paint is recommended? I'd like to end up with a smooth, glossy black finish that will last forever. Thanks. -G.
Glenn G

Glenn,
Others can advise you on how, but thought I would mention that the orginals did not have a glossy black finish to the hub. Current and early (from the late 60's) reproductions/replacements do, but I find them somewhat tacky in appearance. Particularly, the current reproductions. I bought/ordered one of these about a year ago from MOSS and returned it the next day. I later bought a NOS original off ebay. I would describe the hub finish on it as a flat/satin black - quite distinct in finish from the wheel (rim) itself.
Steve Buchina

Glen

I used krylon semigloss on my hub. I had to repair some cracks in the rim and painted it with Krylon Fusion. Sticks well to plastic.
Bruce-C

Glen,
This was the first job I ever did on my '66 Roadster, got it back in April this year. Super condition, but the wheel hub let her down, like yours, chipped & flakey. Agree totally with Steve, you should go for a flat or silk finish, not gloss. You'll get away with minor imperfections anyway with a non gloss finish.
Yes it is an alu' casting so a suitable primer is needed. Unhappily I chose Hammerite primer & paint. I had sanded & cleaned down, sprayed 2 coats of the primer, then having followed the drying times to the letter, I found the primer reacted to the paint, & wrinkled. I went back to metal again and repeated, with the same result. I then went on the net to complain. I have yet to get a reply from Hammerite. My local "Halfords" (a UK car accessory chainstore, recently arrived in Ireland) took back my "useless" Hammerite spray cans, & replaced them with their own brand equivalent, and gave me change for the price difference. This worked a treat, 2 light coats primer, 3 light coats paint. Lovely. I used newspaper & masking tape to cover each spoke (8) which took time but was well worth it for an original looking finish. Like everything in an MG, patience is the main ingredient. Do you know how to remove the wheel? Let us know if not. It must come off for a proper job.
Best of luck.
Brian.
B. G. Griffin

Semi-gloss or full gloss? From the appearance of mine before I repainted it I used semi.

I've had no problem with the wheel boss an that had no or 'ordinary' primer, but for repainting Celica alloys I chose to use Hammerite Special Metals Primer and that and the top coat lasted for years in all weathers. I also have a galvanised garage door that I stripped and repainted but it started cracking and peeling after one summer (it does face due south with no shade). Stripped and repainted that using the SMP and that has been fine also.
Paul Hunt 2

Glenn,

as i learned within my MG years, all the hubs were only poorly coated with black satin finish laqer at the factory.
If you like it perfect, the aluminium surface must be sprayed with etch primer and then primered again with zincromatic primer. Then a topcoat can be used.

If you know someone who does paint jobs on aircrafts, ask him if he can do such a job for you in between his daily aircraft painting. An other solution would be to have it powder coated aft it had been prepared with etch primer.
Sorry, but all other solutions will not last for long as aluminium allways produces surface oxydation within minutes, so etch primer is a must.

Ralph
Ralph

Thanks for the comments. I had no idea the original finish was a semi-gloss or satin, and will try to emulate the original appearance. Also was wondering how to paint aluminum, so appreciate the etch and zinc primer idea. I'm sure I can get the wheel off, but if I can't, y'all will be the first to know! -G.
Glenn G

So, anyone interested in an original wheel from a 69 GT? looks like they are going for 200.00+ on ebay- i might have to part with mine for that.

don
donsmidget at yahoo dot com
don g

Why not polish it up to a mirror finish?
Some fine sandpaper then some aluminum metal polish. Like they do with the motolita steering wheels.
It would look great
Peter

This thread was discussed between 17/11/2007 and 19/11/2007

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