I just picked this up in a local junkyard from a rolled 442. I have tried everything to get the discoloration off it (Had a wrap around it and has been exposed to the weather for 20 yrs). Anyone have any ideas. Its a blue wheel and the stains are black. Has anyone used a dye or paint on a steering wheel?

 

That didn't happen to come from John's in Cabool, did it?

 

i have heard that SEM paint works really well but can not contest to it from personal experience and how it works for items you would have your hands on as well.

but on a side note GOOD FIND

 

I have heard years ago that the paint wore off on yours hands pretty easy, but I didnt know if they have changed it or if something better has come out.

The wheel has a slight bend to it but its not broke, and actually when it was still in the car I didnt even notice the bend. But then again, the roof was crushed down some. Only wish we could have found the center cap

 

I'd try rubbing compound.

The question is whether these are colored all the way through, or whether they are coated / painted.
If the former, you can get pretty aggressive.
If the latter, you may go through, but you won't necessarily be any worse off than you were to start.

- Eric

 

Mine was like that too almost like black mold or tar I took the horn buttons off and put it in the kitchen sink with as hot of water as i could stand a strong degreaser and a green scotch brite like for pots and pans, got most of it off could do it some more used meguiars leather care on it afterwards its thicker than armour all , it looked alot better than it did before. Mine has a slite bend in it too it dosn't lie flat on the bench.

Doug

 

Any "medium" to "fine" rubbing compound is gentler than ScotchBrite.

- eric

 

Heh. When I pulled my black one off a derelict Ninety Eight coupe (they were available for all series except Toronado, but that didn't slow me down any), I ended up using a dull putty knife to scrape the grunge off it before I could even think about cleaning it. I used Purple Stuff full strength and seems like I used some rubbing alcohol on it too. It looked rough and dull, but some hard-finish vinyl top dressing brought it out beautifully.

Possibility it might be mildew? If it is, something like Clorox Soft Scrub might clean it. Come to think of it I believe I used some of that cleaning mine.

I think the color is molded all the way thru on those wheels, but don't quote me on that. Shame it's so grungy. Blue is a very rare color. Most I've seen were black or green. Red, gold and blue are very uncommon.

Good luck.

 

I used a magic eraser pad and that got some of it off. Tried goo-gone and that didnt do anything. May try the rubbing compound.

 

Where is the best place to buy interior dye from? I hate to dye the wheel but nothing has worked. Would like to try to find the original blue, but if nothing else I guess black it will become...

 

Where in Missouri do you live? If near St. Louis you can go to Mid-Nite Auto Supply in St. Peters, MO. They have a variety of auto paints and dyes.

 

Eastwood has a steering wheel repair kit. The painting portion of it is a SEM dye with a SEM clear to clear coat it so there's no rubbing off of the dye. That isn't a shiny wheel, however, so I'd contact SEM and see what they recommend. You should be able to get a color match at your local paint supplier.

 

I have used regular automotive hand cleaner, a hard bristle brush, and wax / grease remover with great results. The mold on this wheel will probably come off with some hand cleaner. The wax / grease removers should take off that sticky gum / rubber residue. Then put some good leather conditioner on it and it should come out nice.

 

I live about 2 hours from there.

 

I have tried Clorox Soft Scrub, Rubbing compound, scrubbing bubbles mold/mildew, goo-gone, dawn, and a couple other things (scrubed with a scrotchbrite pad and toothbrush). It looks a little better but the wheel is becoming discolored and a lot of the black areas are still present.