bill Nov 20, 2016 3:07 pm
Subject: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

Does anyone have an LG 45 steering wheel in reasonable condition that they would be prepared to sell please ? It is the same as the LG 6 or V 12 steering wheel I think (4 solid flat spokes). Approx 3.25" diameter centre.
I could swap an M 45 steering wheel if required (some work required to the spokes).
Thanks.

bill Nov 22, 2016 5:32 pm
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

Does anyone ,by any chance, have an old LG45 steering wheel boss that they no longer have any use for ? This is the central aluminium bit which is clamped over the top of the steering column. The steering wheel is then riveted/bolted to it. It is about 3" long and about 2" in diameter and with a flange on one end. The other end has a split in it with a bolt.
I understand that this type of boss often broke and that therefore there might be broken ones lurking somewhere ?
I need an old one as a pattern to make up new spokes for a steering wheel so any offers gratefully received !
Thanks.

bill Nov 29, 2016 7:14 pm
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

No need to reply to the above requests now as I have solved my problems and have nearly finished making a new steering wheel.
Not too keen on the quoted £350 + to recover the wheel "as original" so I am going to investigate the alternatives ...

bill Jan 20, 2017 7:29 pm
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

Just for the benefit of anyone else making up a new steering wheel. I have a very friendly painter nearby and I have just collected my "new" steering wheel from him after he has "recovered" it for me. 25+ coats of paint later I think it is very difficult to tell the finish from that of an original wheel. The number of coats has given a "depth" to the finish and I am very pleased with the result - and for just under £100. He has also toned down the "shininess" which I think will also dull down a bit more with use.
Cannot work out how to attach a photo. Sorry !


davidbracey Jan 20, 2017 10:48 pm
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

Hi Bill, sounds like you've found a cheap fix for your steering wheel. I'd like to see pictures.
Click on the 'manage attachments' link and follow instructions. You may need to reduce the file size. If you can't manage it you could email them to me and I'll upload them for you.

bill Jan 21, 2017 10:39 am
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

It was reducing the size of the photo in my computer that I couldnt work out ! I think I have done it now . See below (hopefully).
Attachments:
Steering wheels - LG new and Delahaye centre 001.JPG (Filesize: 95.40 KB)
Steering wheels - LG new and Delahaye centre 002.JPG (Filesize: 96.75 KB)
Steering wheels - LG new and Delahaye centre 003.JPG (Filesize: 94.71 KB)

Colin M34 Jan 21, 2017 11:08 am
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

This looks really good.

I had a strange and really rather offhand response from the people who advertise steering wheel restoration in the club magazine. I need to have the boss on my 2 Litre wheel recovered and when I phoned them as a potential customer they were really quite uncommunicative. I emailed them further details and did not receive a reply. I got the strong impression that were not going to discuss their restoration process with me. I was quite surprised about this, because most restorers I have met are very proud of their skills. I am thinking about Surelock for example.

I know people who have used this steering wheel restoration company and been very satisfied with the result so maybe I contacted them on a bad day and they are overloaded with work at £350 per go.

I am inspired by Bill's results. It may be that the original process simply involved many coats of cellulose paint on top of each other to get that lovely deep sheen. Does anyone know how original cellulose ping pong balls were made?

Colin

Colin M34 Jan 21, 2017 11:17 am
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

Dear readers,

Take look at this very interesting thread on cellulose ping pong balls: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46140

The wonders of Google! We live and learn...

Colin

Colin M34 Jan 21, 2017 1:25 pm
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

Another useful entry on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celluloid

Colin

alecrb Jan 21, 2017 10:17 pm
Subject: Re: LG 45 steering wheel wanted

I looked into this a while back (celluloid coating). Found some information in a video about making accordions. I can't locate that exact video but it had to do with soaking the celluloid in an acetone-water solution to soften it. Here is a shorter clip -see minute 1:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYsSifiDapo
Anyway, I couldn't find a source of black celluloid sheet, so it's interesting hearing about other options!
Alec