Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Olympia5776 on 29 September 2009, 19:39:21
-
I’ve been looking for an Irmscher wood effect steering wheel for some time but couldn’t find one at what could even be called a reasonable price.
On a recent thread I mentioned that I thought it would be possible to refurbish one by “painting” a new effect onto the damaged areas so I started looking for one on E bay.
I searched and eventually bought a Vectra Supertouring carbon effect one off E bay but it turned out to be a scammer >:(who didn’t send it and it took six weeks for PayPal to get my money back!!!!!!
Anyway I got lucky when another came upon E bay and I got it cheaper than the first one.
It was again an Irmscher Super Touring carbon effect wheel which when it arrived was in reasonable condition. The carbon effect had been damaged and the plastic protecting film scraped through, probably with a ring. This was exacerbated when the heat of the sun got to it causing it to lift and de laminate. The good point was that the leather was OK.
I prep’d the wheel by removing the clear plastic film and then taking the photo etched layer back to the plastic substrate until it was sound and fit for coating. This was done with 600, 1200 and 1500 paper ,wet.
The process involves applying a base coat ,in this case biscuit colour ( I use Farrow and Ball acrylic as it is heavy in Pigment and allows the formation of ribs in the paint which enhances the wood grain ) , and then a slow build up of the graining effect and then about four coats of varnish .
The graining requires artists pigment of Sienna, Umber, Raw Umber, Raw Sienna and Black in a water and vinegar medium applied with an array of brushes. I use Polyurethane varnish applied by brush which is de nibbed after each coat and then polished using 2000 grade paper wet on final two coats. Cutting compound and then a good Carnauba wax finishes it off.
The following are a series of photos of the process taking it from damaged to painted finish.
Unfortunately when applying the colour medium there is limited time as the mix has to be worked quickly so I couldn’t photograph the process mid application but I think you’ll see what’s being done.
All in all I’m happy with the finished result. Unlike furniture, which I make in the same way, I looked at three factory fitted “wood” steering wheels and realised that “less is more “when it came to the detailing.
Plan is to fit it next week after allowing it to cure thoroughly and I’ll post up a photo of on the car.
Cost? £30 for the wheel and a few enjoyable evenings in the workshop. :)
As bought
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/20092009001.jpg)
Prep'd
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/DSCF0048.jpg)
Base coat
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/DSCF0050.jpg)
Stage 1 Raw umber mix
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/DSCF0002.jpg)
Skip to final wet and dry polishing
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/DSCF0011.jpg)
Close up of graining
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/DSCF0005b.jpg)
Finished wheel. The mark on the bottom right is the reflection of the table it's sitting on.
(http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t261/olympia5776/DSCF0009b.jpg)
-
Damn fine job indeed, well done that man :y :y :y
-
Nice job :y
I like it, how much to do me one? ::) :y
-
thats the best thing ive seen in ages
looks like a £200 wheel :y
-
That looks VERY good, I can see you having lots of demand for your services...including me. It looks fantastic, well done :y
-
I see a little sideline in the offing --- great work there :y :y
-
Good work :y :y :y .. looks almost
as good like mine .. :)
-
nice job don, sorry to hear about the first one mate :'( & no i didnt bid on the one youve got now ;D ;D
-
Thats a great job there. Can i put my order for one in now ;D
-
nice job don, sorry to hear about the first one mate :'( & no i didnt bid on the one youve got now ;D ;D
Hi Tim , you well ?
That first one was the one you bid on . Little Git gave all sorts of excuses but Paypal took it back off him. There were another three buyers who were stung at the same time too. >:(
I must call you ....
Oh 'bye the way , thanks for the comments Lads . The problem will be trying to get one now as you'll all be bidding against one another ;D ;D ;D
If anyone gets one let me know and I'll grain it, but remember where I am.... ::)
-
Nice Job, looks great. My old mans a retired Diplomat but also been doing 30 years of part time French Polishing, got me thinking now. :y
-
I'm impressed. Got a carbon fibre effect wheel on the Beastie, these are rare to start with. If i still had a Mig with wood interior i'd be screaming for one of those.
Cracking job, Guy. :y
-
Stunning!!! and I too have been searching for one of these wheels, so if anyone has one laying around please PM me :y ...... worth a try :)
Darren
-
If you make a waiting list .... can I be on it please? :y :y :y
-
nice job don, sorry to hear about the first one mate :'( & no i didnt bid on the one youve got now ;D ;D
Hi Tim , you well ?
That first one was the one you bid on . Little Git gave all sorts of excuses but Paypal took it back off him. There were another three buyers who were stung at the same time too. >:(
I must call you ....
Oh 'bye the way , thanks for the comments Lads . The problem will be trying to get one now as you'll all be bidding against one another ;D ;D ;D
If anyone gets one let me know and I'll grain it, but remember where I am.... ::)
Hmmmm -- holiday in Kerry ;)
-
you can phone me whenever youve got time mate, hope the vinyl converting is going well, oh & how hard wearing is this finish you do? i was wondering what a standard leather one would look like with the whole rim done. :-/
-
a bloomin good job you have done :y
-
Certainly looks the business :y.
Wonder what the return postage would be to the Emerald isle ;).
-
Excellent, truly a work of art...
:y :y :y
-
Quality work and time well spent. You definately know what you're doing. :y :y 8-)
-
Top job done there, well done :y
-
Fantastic job mate, lovely too see talented workmanship! :y
-
Very impressive indeed, Don 8-) 8-) :y