MG Midget Forum
Steering wheel
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This topic is about my 
When I bought the Midget, the previous owner had had a fire in the passenger compartment and the Motolita steering wheel was badly burned.
So I refurbished the original steering wheel. It had some cracks that I grinded out and filled with epoxy and after that painted the steering wheel in semi-gloss black 2k paint.
It all turned out well, but the steering wheel is a bit big and now that I'm done with the Midget, I need a new project.
So I thought I'd try to refurbish the Motolita steering wheel. I started by removing all the charcoal and aluminum rivets from the steering wheel.
So I refurbished the original steering wheel. It had some cracks that I grinded out and filled with epoxy and after that painted the steering wheel in semi-gloss black 2k paint.
It all turned out well, but the steering wheel is a bit big and now that I'm done with the Midget, I need a new project.
So I thought I'd try to refurbish the Motolita steering wheel. I started by removing all the charcoal and aluminum rivets from the steering wheel.
Attachments:
20210627_113642.jpg 47.8 KB
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Started by polishing the aluminum frame which has done well after the fire, the aggressive powder extinguishing agent has corroded the aluminum a bit in a few places.
After that, I sawed out a ring of marine plywood, which I completed with two layers of mahogany veneer.
Then I milled the shape of the wooden ring and drilled the holes for the rivets.
After that, I sawed out a ring of marine plywood, which I completed with two layers of mahogany veneer.
Then I milled the shape of the wooden ring and drilled the holes for the rivets.
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IMG_7642.jpg 30 KB
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Cambridge, MD, USA
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Apr 11, 2024 07:33 AM
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 Joined 2 years ago
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Well, of course I'm only doing this to stay away from other stupid things.
But so far it has only been necessary to buy some 2k varnish and some aluminum rivets, the rest are things that I had lying around.
I brushed on a number of layers with 2k varnish and sanded a few times.
After another fine sanding, I sprayed two final coats of 2k varnish. And then finish by fitting new aluminum rivets.
But so far it has only been necessary to buy some 2k varnish and some aluminum rivets, the rest are things that I had lying around.
I brushed on a number of layers with 2k varnish and sanded a few times.
After another fine sanding, I sprayed two final coats of 2k varnish. And then finish by fitting new aluminum rivets.
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IMG_7651.jpg 44.9 KB
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Apr 11, 2024 07:57 AM
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Apr 11, 2024 08:13 AM
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Very nice work!
1975 MG Midget 1500 - Midge
Work in Progress
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Santee, CA, USA
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1960 MG MGA 1600
1965 MG Midget MkII 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite "Sprite" 1966 Austin-Healey Sprite "Sprite" |
Apr 11, 2024 08:54 AM
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Joined 17 years ago
4,477 Posts
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First of all, thanks for all the positive feedback.
The wheel center is apparently not a Motolita. In any case, their horn button does not fit.
So I found another broken horn button in my drawers.
I don't know which MG it could be from, it looks like the ones for the Midget but is a bit bigger. Maybe it comes from an MG 1100?
Anyway, I repaired and made it a little bigger with fiberglass putty to fit the wheel center.
After a little sanding and a coat of matte black paint, it looks really good.
The wheel center is apparently not a Motolita. In any case, their horn button does not fit.
So I found another broken horn button in my drawers.
I don't know which MG it could be from, it looks like the ones for the Midget but is a bit bigger. Maybe it comes from an MG 1100?
Anyway, I repaired and made it a little bigger with fiberglass putty to fit the wheel center.
After a little sanding and a coat of matte black paint, it looks really good.
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IMG_7669.jpg 35.1 KB
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Apr 11, 2024 05:56 PM
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Joined 6 years ago
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Well, the steering wheel is in place and it's much easier to get in and out of the car.
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IMG_7677.JPG 50.9 KB
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Apr 18, 2024 08:53 AM
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 Joined 7 years ago
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Love the work - looks very nice. (Like the light blue matching key chain as well) 
You could probably sell the original refurbished black steering wheel and recoup the cost of your work on the current one. Those older ones, especially in good condition, can bring in $$$.
Cheers.
Thomas (Count) Basey
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“With each replacement of parts, my British car slowly becomes Chinese.”
You could probably sell the original refurbished black steering wheel and recoup the cost of your work on the current one. Those older ones, especially in good condition, can bring in $$$.
Cheers.
Thomas (Count) Basey
_______________________________________________________
“With each replacement of parts, my British car slowly becomes Chinese.”
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Apr 18, 2024 09:30 AM
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Joined 18 years ago
43,777 Posts
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Doesn't it feel good when you convert chicken shike into chicken salad, the feeling never gets old. Nice job 
Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com
Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com
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