REQUEST- How to restore Alloy spoked steering wheels?

[rolesyboy]

Any tips on how to refurbish/polish alloy spokes and replace leather binding? Cheers

[251 ENG]

Yes , send it to Len

[rolesyboy]

I can't. I'll get told off. Just received one of his Springall Monte Carlos and delighted with it but my old tat doesn't warrant a trip to Len. C'mon. What's the secret???

[wolseley 1000]

Hi,
a very nice guy on a german motorshow told us how 99% of the "professionals" do it wrong and explained the "secret" to us.
Excuse my sometimes not correct expression but......
So, that´s how it works.
Lots of people think they can simply polish alloy by using any kind of liquid application, but that doesn´t work/last for long.
Just think of what your doing. Alloy makes alloy oxide on the top. It´s hard, very hard and you can´t just wipe it away. So what you do first is clean the complete surface from the oxide with sandpaper. Depending on the scratches begin not rougher than 250 and finish with 800 to 1000. Now !!! let it rest for a day or two !!!
A basicly unseeable fine layer of new oxide will grow on the surface. This layer now needs to be polished into the micro fine holes and pores of the material to close the surface and make it shiny and protected. Now take one of these white rotary tops with any kind of dremel by using a bit of fine grinding paste to finish the job. For interior application this method should last for at least 5-10 years.
Thanx for reading

[Tim]

Its true that Aluminium Oxide is very hard. It is commonly called corundum, but large crystals with coloured contaminants are sometimes known as ruby or emerald.

I'd agree with Wolseley 1000. I'd use wet and dry paper to remove the oxide coating and flatten the surface, working down through the grades, making sure that progressive grades remove all the scratches from the previous one.

I like to finish aluminium with a polish that leaves a fine layer of oil or wax, which slows down the tarnishing afterwards.

Tim