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MG MGB Technical - Rusty steering wheel spokes

Greetings all! I have a '72 B due for a new interior. My steering wheel is fine, except for rust and small pits on the spokes. Can I take this somewhere to get fixed, or will I have to replace it all together? All comments and suggestions welcome.

Thanks,

Shawn
Shawn Herndon

Here's what I did to my 71 B with similar problem. IMO it is not practical to clean up the bare metal spokes without further protection (how were they finished originally? Lacquered? Hard to tell)

1 Remove steering wheel (not boss)
2 Clean up spokes as best as poss, being careful not to damage rim
3 Mask rim with tape etc
4 Treat spokes with Jenolite (phosphoric anti-rust fluid)
5 Spray spokes with wheel silver or equivalent fine Al paint
6 Reassemble!

It should last some years, but will probably go rusty from sweat etc in the end


Hope this helps

Tony
tony

I have same situation on my 72. To the above I would add that bead blasting is a great way to prep the metal. I would also prime first and sand primer after thoroughly dry, and sand between silver coats. A final coat of clear enamel or lacquer will help, as my experience with silver paints is that they do tend to rub off. These are a lot of steps, but with something as prominent as the steering wheel, are justified.
James Anderson

I glassbead blasted mine at 40#. Did not bother to mask off the rim as the beads will not hurt the rubber. I then sprayed a clear poly finish on the metal, after masking off the rim. The whole thing looked like new. I also blasted the hub and sprayed it with spray P/U bed liner. It left a tough, pebbly texture that covered up any imperfections very well.
gerry masterman


The steering wheel has a very thin alloy plating over a steel core. Minor pinholes in the plating allow oxygen to the steel beneath and cause it to "bleed" rust out onto the wheel.
I worked in the metal finishing industry for a number of years, and still have friends in the business. I sent one of these friends my wheel and asked if the alloy could be polished. It turns out it can! If the metal finsisher is experienced in grinding thin plating, the results will be very pleasing indeed.
I had this done to my wheel. It looks better than original, IMO. The spokes are a bright polish, with a luster as good as chrome. The only problem is that the plating, after polishing, is so extremely thin, that a clear coating must be applied to prevent it from rusting.

If you want to go this route, I can highly recommend Oconto Metal Finishing. I know the guys who run this shop personally, and trust me, they know what they're doing.
They have a website at http://www.ocontometal.qpg.com

Wrap the newly polished wheel in a leather steering wheel cover, then wait for the compliments to pour in.


FWIW,

Scott
Scott Wooley

I've had good luck with metal polish and elbow grease.

I'd be interested in knowing if there is any way to renew the wrap on the wheel.
Steve Lipofsky

I think I may try the buffing wheel and rouge routine on mine after hearing it will polish out. Very good to hear that. Thanks.
Jim Blackwood

This thread was discussed between 15/01/2002 and 18/01/2002

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