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[VXL V6]

Just purchased a used Irmscher wheel with radio controls 

It has the silver trim which needs refreshing and my plan was to repaint it, however, it appears to be soft touch so presumably a film rather than paint is required?

Any ideas anyone?

[Doctor Gollum]

My wooden one had a degree of 'give', but i would never have described it as soft touch 

Poly carbonate paint should be suitable as that has a degree of flex. Tamiya PS range would be my suggestion 

[VXL V6]

Yeh, 'give' is probably a better description! 

I am looking to see if there is a localish specialist who would no doubt do a 100% better job than me!

[Nick W]

I haven't done an Irmscher wheel, but did repaint a 'titanium' MGF wheel with Star Silver base and 2k clear. That gives a hard, shiny finish on a slightly squishy wheel, so it's very similar. You can't get decent secondhand 'wood' or 'titanium' MGF wheels for the same reason the Irmscher items are so expensive; the original finish could have been more durable, and is usually worn through to the white plastic underneath.


Paint prep was fine scotchbrite the plastic, mask the rest of the wheel, and wipe down with thinners before painting.



4 years later, it's still in use, but the clear is starting to show some wear. I only applied 2 thin coats, so would use thicker ones if doing it again. I might do that, as we've talked about painting all of the trim parts that are finished this way to remove the wear marks and make them match completely. The paint match isn't good enough for parts that touch

[VXL V6]

Thanks Nick, I did have a look back at your post as I knew you'd done the same style of repair on a different manufacturers wheel.

I think my biggest worry is cocking it up and then making the job a whole lot harder for someone else to sort out 
 

[Nick W]

Thanks Nick, I did have a look back at your post as I knew you'd done the same style of repair on a different manufacturers wheel.

I think my biggest worry is cocking it up and then making the job a whole lot harder for someone else to sort out 

Due to the small area to paint, this is a legitimate use for aerosols if and only if, you don't have a compressor. But, by the time you've bought quality cans of both the colour and the clear, it won't be cheap. If you do have a compressor, then a small, cheap(£25ish) HVLP gun would be worth the cost. I'm sure you could find something worthwhile to practice on

[VXL V6]

I did do a bit of painting on the door switch assemblies....




The plastic primer and silver wasn't too bad but i'm not so good on the lacquer coats. Unfortunately the steering wheel is far more prominent!

[Marks DTM Calib]

Had an older leather steering wheel refurbed for somebody by Paul Darby Steering Wheels some years ago. He is around your way and worth having a chat with.

[VXL V6]

Thanks Mark, the other side of Birmingham, just a run up the M42, M6 so worth me having a chat with him. 

[Nick W]

I did do a bit of painting on the door switch assemblies....



The plastic primer and silver wasn't too bad but i'm not so good on the lacquer coats. Unfortunately the steering wheel is far more prominent!

No need for plastic primer on these parts, although you must be especially scrupulous in cleaning them. Sprayed paint is applied in thin layers, which is difficult to do with aerosols. Getting the base coat right is the bit to really concentrate on, and you only need enough for an even colour. As soon as you have that, stop. The clear does all the hard work of providing a durable, smooth, shiny(that's in order of importance) finish, and if you apply enough can be sanded/polished to whatever finish you consider adequate. Read the instructions, and ensure you leave enough time between coats for the solvent to flash off - this is why I find 2k paint much easier to spray than cellulose, as it uses far less solvent. The solvent/thinners/whatever you call it is ONLY there to carry the paint to where it needs to be.


The steering wheel might be more prominent than the trim pieces, but it doesn't have flat surfaces which emphasise poorly applied paint

[VXL V6]

Had an older leather steering wheel refurbed for somebody by Paul Darby Steering Wheels some years ago. He is around your way and worth having a chat with.

Spoke to him via Facebook Messenger, unfortunately he only does the leather work and cannot help with the painted / coated type finish. Thanks for the name though, might be useful another time and another car.