Neil Clark Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 Has anyone restored a wooden Moto Lita wheel? Mine was really tatty on the surface. I've got it sanded down and the wood is in fantastic. What should I use to colour / varnish / lacquer it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted May 27, 2020 Report Share Posted May 27, 2020 I have done a few mountney woodrims. I used aerosol varnish/lacquer, afraid I can't remember which one though. Lasted well, one of those wheels was on my heralds for many years as everyday drivers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 The PO of my Sprint used Marine grade varnish applied quite thickly to float in multiple coats on the dash its very tough and looks good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Did you use any stains or dyes on the wood itself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Here’s a thread crying out for pictures! 😆 (Mine’s leather! ) Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Here we go, halfway through. I sanded it with 180 grit to get the old varnish off. It came off so easily I assume it was a previous restoration. The wheel itself is structurally excellent thought the wood looks thirsty, so today I'll test a spare piece of wood with alternative of bees wax first then varnish or just varnish. The YouTube videos on this use very different techniques as do the feedback I'm getting from the MG forums so I want to bet this right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Moto Lita are temporarily closed due to the virus so I can't get any hints there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I used some wax stuff on my vitesse dash, didn't do very well. And I very much doubt you can varnish over anything that has been waxed. A very thinned varnish could be used as a first coat as a sealer, leave to dry and run the raised grain with something like 320-400 grade paper. Reapply the thin stuff, then whatever you fancy. But don't overthink it, it is a bit of wood, and people have been varnishing/lacquering wood for hundreds of years. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I use gun stock oil on my guitar necks. Takes a while to be completely dry, days. But guitar neck, wooden steering wheel? About the same degree of hand palm action? Re- application in many years, lemon oil to clean. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I'd heard about gun oil but I think I'll go the varnish route Clive suggests - I can always sand it off and redo it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerguzzi Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Hello Neil This is what I used on a dashboard and steering wheel you can put on lots of coats fine sanding between coats and finish with the burnishing cream and you get a high gloss finish or semi gloss what ever you want and being 2 pack it is very hard wearing. I think I used 2000 grade as last flatting paper https://www.rustins.ltd/rustins/our-products/indoor/plastic-coating-hardener-gloss Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 I've gone the varnish route. First coat Ronseal Outdoor Gloss Varnish thinned with 30% white spirit. My nearest gun-owning retain with the oil is 100 miles away and I;ll never use it again. We've got some varnish etc already. I'll leave it 48 hours then a light sand, clean and put on a second coat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted May 28, 2020 Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Looks good! Gun stock oil is on ebay in suitably tiny 3 oz bottles.😊 Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted May 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2020 Doug if I don't get the right feel with varnish I'll buy some! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Clark Posted June 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2020 I think it's OK after all but if it doesn't last I will sand the varnish off again and try gun oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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